Mikaela Shiffrin Achieves Unprecedented Ninth Slalom World Title
Mikaela Shiffrin has solidified her status as a skiing legend by securing her ninth world slalom season title, a historic feat in the six-decade history of the World Cup. This remarkable achievement comes as the 30-year-old American star prepares for the upcoming Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, where she is poised to be a top contender for gold medals.
Dominant Performance Seals the Title
Shiffrin's victory was sealed with two races to spare, following a commanding performance in the last slalom event before the Olympics. She won both runs on Sunday, outpacing runner-up Camille Rast of Switzerland by an impressive 1.67 seconds. The rest of the field, led by Germany's Emma Aicher, trailed by more than two seconds, underscoring Shiffrin's dominance in the discipline.
This triumph adds to her already illustrious career, which includes 71 career race wins in slalom and 108 overall victories, both records for men and women. Shiffrin first claimed the slalom globe at age 18 in March 2013, and her latest title marks a significant milestone in her ongoing legacy.
Olympic Ambitions and Reflections
Despite her recent success, Shiffrin remains cautious about projecting her form onto the Olympic stage. She reflected on her varied Olympic experiences, having won slalom gold in 2014 and giant slalom gold in 2018, but failing to finish any technical events in 2022. "At the Olympics is a totally different challenge," she noted, emphasising the need for an open mind and trust in her team as she approaches the Games.
Shiffrin plans to compete in slalom, giant slalom, and the team combined events at the Olympics. Her motivation stems from a desire to push her limits, particularly in giant slalom, where she feels there is still room for growth. "I'm motivated by the ability to ski faster," she explained, highlighting her relentless pursuit of excellence.
Record-Breaking Context and Team Dynamics
Shiffrin's record-setting achievement might soon be shared, as her teammate Lindsey Vonn has eight downhill titles and leads in those standings. On the men's side, Ingemar Stenmark and Marcel Hirscher have each won eight titles in slalom and overall, respectively, adding context to Shiffrin's unparalleled accomplishment.
The weekend's races held special significance, taking place at the Czech venue where Shiffrin made her World Cup debut at age 15 in March 2011. "It just feels amazing to be here. I feel like when I was 15 years old still, like, I don't know, just love skiing," she shared, expressing her enduring passion for the sport.
Season Standings and Future Races
With seven wins from eight slaloms this season, Shiffrin holds an insurmountable 288-point lead over second-placed Rast. The only slalom she didn't win was in Slovenia three weeks ago, where Rast triumphed. Two more slaloms are scheduled after the Olympics, with each race win worth 100 points.
The women's World Cup will continue in Crans-Montana with downhill and super-G events next weekend, serving as the final races before the Olympics. As Shiffrin and her team, including Vonn and Kim, headline the US ski and snowboard team for 2026, all eyes will be on her performance in Milan Cortina.
