Mikaela Shiffrin Makes History with 100th World Cup Victory Just a Month After Her Comeback!

Mikaela Shiffrin made history by winning her 100th World Cup race in Sestriere, Italy. After a tough few months dealing with injuries, this victory felt particularly special for her.

She returned to competition less than a month ago after missing 60 days due to a serious fall. This time, the snow felt like a celebration as she crossed the finish line. With a final time of 1:50.33, Shiffrin finished ahead of Croatia’s Zrinka Ljutić by 0.61 seconds. Paula Moltzan, another American skier, took third place, just 0.64 seconds behind Shiffrin. This marks Moltzan’s fifth podium finish in the World Cup, adding to her recent bronze medal in giant slalom at the World Championships.

“It’s pretty special to share this moment with Paula,” Shiffrin said after the race. The support and cheers from the crowd motivated her, making the race feel like a training session where they both pushed each other to excel.

No other skier has reached 100 World Cup wins. Shiffrin broke the previous record of 86 held by Ingemar Stenmark in March 2023. She is now tied with him for the most total podium finishes in Alpine skiing history, standing at 155.

Shiffrin faced a setback on November 30 when she was in the running for her 100th win at a giant slalom race in Killington, Vermont. Unfortunately, she crashed in the second run and suffered an abdominal injury that sidelined her for two months. Since her return, she’s been working hard to regain her form in slalom after struggling in giant slalom races.

Despite the challenges, Shiffrin bounced back quickly in slalom. At the World Championships, she paired with teammate Breezy Johnson and helped win gold, showcasing her impressive skills. She narrowly missed adding another individual championship medal, falling just 0.05 seconds short.

During the race in Sestriere, Shiffrin demonstrated her control and technique. Her first run time of 53.79 seconds allowed her to take the lead into the second run, where she maintained her momentum with the fourth-best time overall.

Reflecting on her comeback, Shiffrin expressed gratitude for the encouragement from her teammates, coaches, and fans. Sitting in the winner’s chair, she felt overwhelmed with emotion and appreciation. “Thank you to everyone, especially the fans,” she said with a smile.

This win marks a significant return for Shiffrin, reinforcing her dominance in slalom as she looks to wrap up the season strong with a couple more events ahead.

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