Mikaela Shiffrin 99th win/ World Cup slalom victory Austria/ skiing records 2024/ North America World Cup ski races/ alpine skiing milestones/ GURGL/ Austria/ Newslooks/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Mikaela Shiffrin claimed her 99th career World Cup win in Austria, triumphing in the season’s second slalom. The American star now heads to North America, where she could achieve her historic 100th victory during upcoming races in Vermont, Quebec, and Colorado. Shiffrin continues to set records, further solidifying her legendary status in skiing.
Shiffrin’s Path to 100 Wins: Quick Looks
- 99th Career Win: Shiffrin won the Austrian slalom by 0.55 seconds over runner-up Lara Colturi.
- Next Stops: Upcoming races in Vermont, Quebec, and Colorado could mark her 100th victory.
- Historic Achievement: Shiffrin already holds the all-time record for World Cup wins at 99.
- Rising Stars: Colturi and Camille Rast secured their first career podium finishes.
- Challenging Conditions: Shiffrin navigated Austria’s dry, tricky snow for a near-flawless run.
Mikaela Shiffrin Wins 99th World Cup Race, Eyes Historic 100th in N. America
Deep Look
Mikaela Shiffrin continued her reign over alpine skiing with a remarkable victory in the women’s slalom in Gurgl, Austria, on Saturday. The win, her 99th World Cup triumph, leaves her one step away from an extraordinary milestone as she prepares to compete in her home continent.
A Masterful Victory
Shiffrin dominated the race, holding onto her lead from the first run to finish 0.55 seconds ahead of Italy’s Lara Colturi, who races for Albania, and 0.57 seconds ahead of Switzerland’s Camille Rast. Both Colturi and Rast earned their first World Cup podium finishes.
While Shiffrin admitted to nerves before her second run, she overcame them with a composed and precise performance. “It feels really satisfying to have a great run down this slope. What a wonderful day,” Shiffrin remarked, reflecting on the challenges of the Kirchenkar course.
Challenging Conditions
The course presented unique challenges with its dry, cold surface, which made finding the ideal ski setup difficult. Shiffrin noted, “I was feeling a little bit funky on some spots… but I stayed on top of it and pushed to the finish.” Her ability to adapt allowed her to gain crucial time, particularly in the lower sections of the run.
Swiss skier Wendy Holdener, who was second after the first run, slipped to fourth place. Shiffrin’s teammate, Paula Moltzan, finished sixth, trailing by 1.10 seconds.
North America Awaits
Shiffrin now takes her quest for her 100th World Cup win to North America. Over the next 16 days, she will compete in five races, beginning with a giant slalom and slalom in Killington, Vermont, followed by two giant slalom races in Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, and concluding with a super-G in Beaver Creek, Colorado.
Despite the historic weight of her next victory, Shiffrin remains grounded. “If it happens, it’s wonderful. If it doesn’t, there’s nothing to cry about in the grand scheme,” she said, adding that she looks forward to performing in front of a home crowd.
A Record-Breaking Career
At just 29 years old, Shiffrin holds the all-time record for World Cup wins, surpassing Swedish legend Ingemar Stenmark’s 86 victories in March 2023. No skier, male or female, has achieved more. Her unparalleled success and consistency continue to set new benchmarks in alpine skiing.
Rising Stars and Notable Absences
While Shiffrin celebrated her 99th win, the race also highlighted emerging talent. Colturi and Rast’s podium finishes signal a promising future for the sport. Meanwhile, Olympic champion Petra Vlhova, one of Shiffrin’s fiercest rivals, remains absent as she recovers from knee surgery.
Gurgl, hosting its first women’s World Cup race, provided a thrilling backdrop for Shiffrin’s continued dominance. With the men’s slalom scheduled on the same course Sunday, all eyes remain on the slopes of the Austrian Alps.
