Mikaela Shiffrin has secured the slalom season title ahead of the Olympics, making her the first skier in World Cup history to achieve nine season titles in a single discipline. This accomplishment places her alongside Lindsey Vonn, who holds eight downhill titles and currently leads the standings in her second season since returning from retirement in 2019.
In the men’s competition, Ingemar Stenmark and Marcel Hirscher have each claimed the slalom globe and overall title eight times.
Shiffrin showcased her dominance in the last slalom event before the Milan Cortina Games by winning both runs and finishing ahead of runner-up Camille Rast by 1.67 seconds in Spindleruv Mlyn, Czech Republic. Following her victory, Shiffrin expressed caution in interpreting her recent successes in relation to the upcoming Olympics, where she plans to compete in slalom, giant slalom (GS), and the team combined events.
Reflecting on her achievements, Shiffrin emphasized the unique challenges of the Olympics and the importance of maintaining a positive mindset and trusting her team amidst strong competition. The races over the weekend held special significance for Shiffrin, as they took place at the same Czech venue where she made her World Cup debut at the age of 15 in 2011.
Despite her remarkable performance, Shiffrin remained focused on the race itself, rather than contemplating setting records. She expressed gratitude for the surprise of clinching the slalom globe and highlighted her enduring love for skiing.
Shiffrin’s outstanding career includes 71 race wins in slalom and 108 overall victories, setting new benchmarks for both men and women in the sport. Currently, she leads the season standings with an insurmountable 288-point lead over Rast, with two more slaloms scheduled after the Olympics.
The women’s World Cup will continue with downhill and super-G events in Crans-Montana next weekend, serving as the final races before the highly anticipated Olympics.
