Mikaela Shiffrin Wins Record 9th Slalom Globe Before Olympics

Mikaela Shiffrin just proved why she's called the greatest skier of all time, dominating the slopes in the Czech Republic to claim a historic ninth World Cup slalom title.

The 30-year-old from Colorado made history Sunday by becoming the first alpine skier, male or female, to win more than eight globes in a single event. She previously shared that record with retired Swedish legend Ingemar Stenmark and American teammate Lindsey Vonn.

Shiffrin crushed the competition by a massive 1.67 seconds, her seventh win in eight slaloms this season. The victory came on the very same slope where she made her World Cup debut back in 2011, a fitting full-circle moment for the champion.

"I felt really good on the first run, it was good skiing," Shiffrin said after her win. Despite poor visibility at the top of the course, she delivered a near-flawless performance that had fans on their feet.

This marks Shiffrin's 71st slalom victory and her 108th career World Cup win overall. With an unbeatable lead of 288 points and only 200 points left to compete for, the title was mathematically secured before the Olympics even begin.

Why This Inspires

What makes Shiffrin's achievement even more remarkable is her perspective on success. While she makes dominating the slopes look easy, she admits the reality is far different.

"Every time I ski, I feel like I could be flying off the course at any moment," she revealed. "So it takes a lot of effort and intensity and focus."

The timing couldn't be better as she heads to the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics next month. She's seeking redemption after failing to medal at the 2022 Beijing Games and hoping to add to her gold medals from 2014 and 2018.

On Saturday, Shiffrin celebrated a third-place finish in giant slalom like a victory because it marked her first podium in that discipline since a serious accident in Vermont in November 2024. Her comeback story adds another inspiring chapter to an already legendary career.

Almost 15 years after her World Cup debut, Shiffrin continues rewriting the record books and showing the world what dedication and resilience look like in action.