It’s just another race, and another win for American skier Mikaela Shiffrin. She’s capped off the most successful World Cup season in history on Sunday at Grandvalira Soldeu in Andorra by securing her 60th career win in the ladies’ slalom.
The victory has pushed her record to 17 epic wins in a season. She won her fourth crystal globe of the season, adding on a third straight overall title, making it her sixth slalom crown in seven years and first super-G honor.
Shiffrin was stoked to be able to complete her races till the end of the season, telling the International Ski Federation, “I was able to compete with focus to the end of the season and that’s been a really big goal of mine. It’s amazing”.
During the World Championships in Åre, Shiffrin was blasted with criticism due to her decision to sit out several events.
She explained her decision, saying her race choices were part of a meticulous plan.
“I would love to race every single race; there’s always that temptation”, said Shiffrin, “But I have to do what my body can handle – to go to the limit, but not beyond it”.
The 24-year old skier didn’t want a repeat of last year’s events at the Olympics in Pyeongchang, when she became extremely stressed by schedule changes and postponements.
And those decisions seemed to be the right ones for her career. She now ends the season fifth on the all-time list of World Cup winners, 22 victories behind Vonn and 26 short of the record held by Swedish great Ingemar Stenmark, who retired in 1989 after 16 seasons on the elite circuit. By comparison, Shiffrin made her World Cup debut in 2012.
She even topped the Ski World Cup money list with a record of $885,000 USD in prize money during the World Cup ski season.
Shiffrin is on a roll, and will continue to make her mark in the ski racing industry, telling the Team USA Organisation, “I can’t wait to get back on my skis and train again. I’m already excited for next season.”
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