BRATISLAVA. For many, she was a definite favorite and she confirmed this role. Mikaela Shiffrin dominated the slalom in Levi, Finland, and is just two wins away from breaking the 100 World Cup mark.
At the same time, she came close to achieving this milestone in a special place, that is, in her home conditions in Killington, USA.
She won for the eighth time on the Levi Black piste, thus improving her own record. Already after the first run, she had a significant lead and finally won by 0.79 seconds ahead of the second Austrian, Katharina Liensbergerová.
“She would have to beat herself. She did it like a professor, she didn’t chase herself to win by one and a half seconds and guarded the decisive steep passage.
She would have passed it faster in training, but she didn’t need it,” ski expert Karol Král commented on her ride in the second round for JOJ Šport.
Words of appreciation towards Vlhová
This time, the phenomenal American had a slightly easier path to victory, as her rival Petra Vlhová was missing behind the Arctic Circle due to injury.
Their dominance in Levi is evidenced by the fact that since 2016 they have won all 13 slaloms, and besides them, only Tina Maze has won the traditional reindeer.
Photo gallery from the women’s slalom race at the Levi center (World Cup 2024/2025)
Before this year’s race, in an interview with Ski Racing Media, Shiffrin admitted that her biggest competitor in recent years is Vlhová.
“At Levi, we’ve both always pushed for it. Some of her last runs are really the best I’ve ever seen on this slope.
This motivates me to try harder and to be more precise. I am convinced that the intensity of our fights has taken my skiing to a new level. We will definitely feel her absence,” she said.
However, she added in one breath that there will be many high-quality racers at the start who can fight for the top ranks. In the end, however, she did not let her 61st victory in the most technical discipline slip away.
“I’m very happy with how I started the slalom season. I struggled a bit on the course, I didn’t have a perfect pace, but in the end it was a solid ride.
The conditions were not easy. Katharina “killed it” and it’s great to see her back on stage and skiing like this. Also Lena (Dürrová) went very well. It was fun, it’s a great stage,” she said in her first reaction.
VIDEO: Mikaela Shiffrin won the 98th race in the World Cup
The biggest challenge? Find a balance
Mikaela Shiffrin said afterwards that it was very important for her to feel confident in the opening slalom of the season and achieve a good result.
The next start in the slalom awaits her in seven days in Gurgli, Austria, and overall, given its complexity, she has to deal with an extremely demanding program.
Despite the fact that she decided to skip the convention, she should complete at least one competitive race every weekend until the end of January.
“In this period between the slaloms in Levi and Gurgli, the biggest challenge is that there is not much time for giant slalom training. I am trying to find a balance to be ready for both disciplines,” she said.
The first “slalom” of the season is scheduled for November 30 in Killington, while a day later the slalom is held at the same resort. If Shiffrinová also succeeded in Gurgli, she would have two chances to win her 100th victory at home.
In Levi, she was the first ever skier who, after the introduction of the tradition in 2013, won a reindeer. Today, she already has eight names on her account, so the question could not but be asked, does the American already have another name chosen?
Welcome to the Slalom Spectacle!
Well, well! Look who just cruised her way into the spotlight again! That’s right, it’s Mikaela Shiffrin, the undisputed diva of the slalom world, who has once again demonstrated why she’s the one to beat — and by quite the margin too!
The Showstopper at Levi
In a dazzling display of sheer talent and preparation, Shiffrin dominated the slalom in Levi, Finland, snagging herself her 98th World Cup win. Just two wins away from that elusive 100, it’s like watching a magician who’s about to pull off her greatest trick yet — and I, for one, can’t wait for the encore!
Now, I can’t help but notice that she won with a whopping 0.79 seconds to spare, putting her nearest rival, Katharina Liensbergerová, firmly in the shade. Honestly, it was less of a race and more of a showcase, wouldn’t you agree? “She would’ve had to beat herself!” as ski expert Karol Král put it. And I’d wager a fiver that even if she tried, she’d still be too fabulous to lose!
Where’s Petra When You Need Her?
But hold your horses! Before you break out the balloons and confetti, let’s acknowledge the absence of Petra Vlhová. Now, anyone who’s followed this sport knows that the duo has had some intense battles on the piste since 2016 — together winning all 13 slaloms in Levi. It’s like watching Batman without his trusty sidekick 🦸♀️. But don’t fret; even without her rival, Shiffrin managed to keep her game fierce, proving she’s still the lioness of the ski world!
Words of Succor and Strategy
Shiffrin had some heartfelt things to say about her comrade in the sport. She stated, “Her last runs are really the best I’ve ever seen,” suggesting that competition fuels her fire for excellence. Well, Mikaela, if you’re looking for a rival with whom to sharpen your skis, I’m more than happy to throw my hat in the ring… although my ‘runs’ are more of the hospital variety. It does make me wonder, if she’s pushing herself this hard in the absence of her rival, what will it be like when Vlhová makes her comeback? Will we see fireworks? A new record? Or everyone collapsing from the intensity of it all?
A Balancing Act Like No Other
After her grand performance, Mikaela shared that her biggest challenge isn’t just about slaloms; it’s finding a balance between gnarly giant slalom training sessions and the artistry of classic slalom — kind of like a circus performer on a tightrope, but with skis. She’s gearing up for future races and, spoiler alert, she could very well be celebrating her 100th victory right at home in Killington, complete with a big ‘Welcome to the Party’ banner. And maybe some inflatable reindeer to really drive the point home!
All Eyes on December
Now, as we gear up for the upcoming races, let’s keep our fingers crossed (and perhaps even our skis crossed) for Shiffrin’s meta-magic. Will she snag that 100th win? The signs are certainly leaning in her favor, but only time will tell. Grab your popcorn and make sure your camera is ready, folks! This is going to be a ride filled with ups, downs, twists, and hopefully not too many crashes — unless they’re the snow kind, of course.
In Conclusion
So, as we bid adieu to this chapter of ski tales, let’s raise a glass to Mikaela Shiffrin. May she continue her reign of terror — I mean, her reign of sheer brilliance — on the slopes for many years to come. Because let’s face it, with talent like hers, she’s not just skiing; she’s nothing short of an artistic performance, gracefully carving her name into the history of winter sports one race at a time! Cheers!
BRATISLAVA. Mikaela Shiffrin, widely regarded as the top contender in women’s slalom skiing, lived up to expectations with a commanding performance at the Levi event in Finland, inching her closer to a historic achievement as she now stands just two victories shy of reaching the impressive milestone of 100 World Cup wins.
She secured her eighth victory on the challenging Levi Black piste, marking not only a personal triumph but also a record-breaking feat for the event itself. Following the first run, Shiffrin established a commanding lead and ultimately clinched victory by a notable margin of 0.79 seconds over Austrian competitor Katharina Liensbergerová.
Ski expert Karol Král praised her technique during the second round, stating, “She executed her strategy perfectly. She wasn’t overly aggressive; instead, she maintained control over the crucial steep sections of the course.”
This particular victory was facilitated by the absence of her main rival, Petra Vlhová, who was sidelined by injury and unable to compete in the event held beyond the Arctic Circle.
Shiffrin acknowledged the intense rivalry she has shared with Vlhová in past seasons, reflecting, “At Levi, we’ve both consistently pushed each other to new heights. Some of her recent performances are honestly among the best runs I’ve witnessed on this slope.”
Despite Vlhová’s absence, Shiffrin remained aware of other formidable competitors lining up for the race, but her experience and skill ultimately led her to her 61st victory in this highly technical discipline.
In her first reaction to the win, Shiffrin expressed satisfaction with her season start, noting, “I faced some challenges on the course and didn’t have perfect speed, yet I managed to pull off a solid ride. The competition was fierce with Katharina performing exceptionally well, and it was thrilling to witness her return to form.”
Mikaela Shiffrin emphasized the significance of this opening slalom of the season for establishing her confidence. She faces her next challenge in just a week’s time at Gurgli, Austria, in a demanding schedule that pushes her abilities across multiple skiing disciplines.
Shiffrin is anticipating a rigorous training regime before the slaloms in Killington, scheduled for November 30 and December 1. Success in Gurgli would provide her with another opportunity to strive for her 100th World Cup victory on home soil. Notably, she has the distinction of being the first skier to win a reindeer at Levi, amassing an impressive eight reindeer trophies since the tradition began in 2013, leading to speculation about whether she has already set her sights on another victory’s significance.
How does Mikaela Shiffrin plan to balance her training for slalom and giant slalom as the season progresses?
Absence of her longtime rival, Petra Vlhová, who was unable to compete due to injury. Shiffrin’s success in Levi is particularly noteworthy, as she has now won all 13 slaloms held there since 2016, showcasing her dominance at this venue. In fact, the only other skier to claim victory in Levi’s slalom is Tina Maze.
Shiffrin has publicly acknowledged the impact of competition on her development as an athlete, stating in an interview that Vlhová has pushed her to elevate her game. “At Levi, we’ve both always pushed for it,” she remarked, highlighting the significant rivalry and mutual respect between the two skiers. Despite the absence of her main competitor, Shiffrin expressed her excitement about the quality of competitors in the starting lineup, indicating that she was prepared to face strong challengers.
As she looks ahead to upcoming races, Shiffrin is focused on finding the right balance for her training schedule. The formidable athlete is attempting to juggle rigorous training for both slalom and giant slalom disciplines as the season progresses. Her next slalom event is scheduled in Gurgli, Austria, within a week, followed by races in Killington on November 30 and December 1.
Shiffrin’s career has never shied away from the challenge, and the anticipation surrounding her pursuit of the 100th World Cup victory is palpable. Each race serves as a potential milestone for the skier who has captivated audiences with her talent and dedication. As the ski world awaits the next chapter in her saga, fans can only hope that the drama and excitement of her journey continue to unfold spectacularly on the global stage.
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