Mikaela Shiffrin, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and leading figure in American skiing, achieved a historic milestone on Tuesday by securing her 83rd World Cup victory, surpassing Lindsey Vonn’s previous record.
Shiffrin clinched first place in the giant slalom at Kronplatz, Italy, finishing with a combined time of 2:00.61. She led after the first run with a time of 58.72 seconds and completed her record-breaking performance with a second run of 1:01.89.
The American skier finished 0.45 seconds ahead of Lara Gut-Behrami, the 2021 world giant slalom champion, who placed second. Italian skater Federica Brignone took third.
This victory marks Shiffrin’s 83rd World Cup win, placing her ahead of Vonn for the most wins in women’s skiing history. She now trails Sweden’s Ingemar Stenmark, the final record holder in both men’s and women’s skiing, by just three wins.
Reflecting on her achievement, Shiffrin expressed her struggle to articulate the depth of her emotions. “It’s hard to find words. I don’t think there are words to explain all the feelings,” she told Eurosport.
“The day is a mix of stress, peace, nervousness, and excitement. These long days with two runs are exhausting, and at the end, there’s just too much excitement to fully grasp.”
The win at Kronplatz is Shiffrin’s ninth of the 2022/23 season, surpassing her total victories from the past two seasons combined. She had previously tied Vonn’s record earlier in January with a victory at the giant slalom in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia.
The four-time overall World Cup champion has had a remarkable season, marked by her seventh win in her last 11 races. Despite the high stakes and pressure, Shiffrin maintained her composure, delivering the precision and speed that fans have come to expect.
“I just tried to breathe and enjoy it,” Shiffrin said. “I’m really excited to have two more runs on this hill tomorrow because it’s in great condition.” She added, “Being part of this competition is incredible. Every mistake can cost you a spot on the podium, so taking risks is essential. We need to focus on the positives and keep pushing because that’s what makes it exciting.”