Mikaela Shiffrin Clinches Ninth Slalom Title Before Olympics

Mikaela Shiffrin has solidified her status in alpine skiing by clinching her ninth slalom title ahead of the upcoming Olympics. This remarkable achievement makes her the first skier in the history of the World Cup to win nine season titles in a single discipline.

Historic Achievement

Shiffrin’s victory came during a slalom event held at Spindleruv Mlyn in the Czech Republic. She dominated the final race before the Milan Cortina Games, securing her title with two races remaining in the season. Her closest competitor, Switzerland’s Camille Rast, finished 1.67 seconds behind.

Record Title Count

• Shiffrin has won nine slalom season titles.
• This surpasses Ingemar Stenmark and Marcel Hirscher, who each won eight.
• Lindsey Vonn holds eight titles in downhill skiing and currently leads that category.

The American skier secured an impressive seven wins out of eight slalom events this season, giving her a substantial 288-point lead in the overall standings. She previously won her first slalom globe at age 18 in March 2013.

Focus on the Upcoming Olympics

As Shiffrin prepares for the 2026 Winter Olympics, her focus extends beyond recent victories. Having won gold medals in slalom in 2014 and giant slalom in 2018, she acknowledges that the Olympic games present a unique set of challenges. She remarked, “At the Olympics is a totally different challenge.”

Despite her outstanding performance, she remains grounded. “It’s hard to think about records when there’s so much to focus on during a race,” she stated. She plans to compete in slalom, giant slalom, and the combined events at the Olympics.

Career Statistics

Shiffrin’s ability to push her limits fuels her motivation, particularly in slalom where she feels close to her performance ceiling. She views her journey as an opportunity to improve further, emphasizing growth in her athletic strategy.

The Women’s World Cup continues next weekend in Crans-Montana, hosting last events before the Olympic games.