Mikaela Shiffrin Breaks Ingemar Stenmark’s World Cup Record, Becomes Skiing’s All-Time Winningest Athlete

Mikaela Shiffrin breaks Ingemar Stenmark’s World Cup record, becoming skiing’s all-time winningest athlete.

Shiffrin Surpasses Legendary Stenmark

Mikaela Shiffrin, the 28-year-old American skiing sensation, made history earlier this month by breaking Ingemar Stenmark’s long-standing record of 86 World Cup wins. The milestone came after her victory in the slalom at Åre, Sweden the very resort where she won her first World Cup race in December 2012.

“I never considered myself a threat to that record,” Shiffrin admitted in a recent interview. She credited fellow American Lindsey Vonn, who previously held the women’s record, as the athlete many believed would surpass Stenmark first.

A Season Beyond Expectations

Originally, Shiffrin’s goal for the season was modest: win the overall World Cup title and secure just five race victories. Instead, she dominated, winning 14 races and claiming the overall World Cup crown.

Reflecting on her achievements, Shiffrin said, “Pretty hard to comprehend. My brother and sister-in-law are here. I didn’t know they were coming, so that makes it so special.” She expressed gratitude toward her support team, stating, “All these people reaching out now after all these years, it’s pretty incredible. I just want to say thank you for that.”

Support From Peers and Loved Ones

Shiffrin’s partner, Norwegian skier Aleksander Aamodt Kildehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleksander_Aamodt_Kilde, praised her accomplishments. “She is the goat in the skiing world but she is also the goat in relationships,” Kilde said. “It makes it easier for us to be calm in the process and understanding each other’s way of handling different situations.”

Meanwhile, Lindsey Vonn congratulated Shiffrin via social media, tweeting, “Congrats!! Dominating,” as Shiffrin tied and eventually surpassed Stenmark’s record.

Records and Achievements Galore

Shiffrin’s historic win marked her 87th World Cup victory, with Sunday’s triumph extending her record to 88. She now holds:

• 21 giant slalom wins

• 138 podium appearances

• The highest prize money earnings for the season ($1.05 million)

Her achievements also surpassed Vonn’s record for women’s podium finishes, leaving only Stenmark’s 155 all-time podiums as a challenge yet to conquer.

Overcoming Setbacks

Despite her record-breaking season, Shiffrin faced significant challenges at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, failing to medal in five races and not finishing three. Her recent dominance demonstrates resilience and growth, cementing her place in skiing history.

Conclusion

Mikaela Shiffrin’s record-breaking season proves she is not just a dominant competitor but a transformative figure in alpine skiing. By surpassing both Lindsey Vonn and Ingemar Stenmark, Shiffrin has cemented her legacy as one of the sport’s greatest athletes of all time, inspiring a new generation of skiers.