Shiffrin Breaks Landmark Record: Mom’s Reaction – ‘Holy Crap, That Was Really Good Skiing!’

American skiing superstar Mikaela Shiffrin is enjoying a standout 2023, and the year could become even more remarkable before January ends.

Recently, Shiffrin notched her 83rd World Cup victory, surpassing Lindsey Vonn’s record for most wins in women’s skiing. She clinched the record by winning the giant slalom event at Kronplatz, Italy. Shiffrin dominated from the start with a first-run time of 58.72 seconds, and followed up with a second-run performance of 1:01.89.

With this achievement, Shiffrin is now only three wins away from tying the all-time record of 86 World Cup victories, currently held by Swedish skiing legend Ingemar Stenmark.

In an interview with CNN’s Amanda Davies, Shiffrin discussed how her competitive spirit is fueled by monitoring her rivals. “I need to stay driven, even when training alone, by considering what my competitors are doing. If I can ski faster, I push myself to do so because others are striving for the same,” she stated.

Reflecting on her recent success, Shiffrin shared her mother’s reaction to the record-breaking win: “My mom was in awe. She has been a coach throughout my World Cup career, starting from when I was three, and continues to guide me. This journey together has been incredible.”

Shiffrin also credited her mother with teaching her to maintain composure during competition. “Nerves can make you tense and lead to mistakes. My mom always reminds me to focus on skiing well, regardless of the outcome. This approach has been effective, as evidenced by the recent wins,” she added.

The sport has also played a crucial role in helping Shiffrin cope with the loss of her father, Jeff, who passed away unexpectedly in February 2020. “There are moments when it feels like I’m not making progress, but skiing and positive experiences offer hope.

Spending time with loved ones, including my boyfriend Aleksander Aamodt Kilde and family, provides much-needed support,” she explained. Despite her impressive track record, Shiffrin’s primary goal for the season is to win the overall World Cup title.

“Winning the final championship is my main focus. Even if I don’t secure another race win, I still have a chance to achieve that goal. My aim is to stay consistent throughout the season,” she said.

Should Shiffrin win a fifth overall title this season, she will rank second on the all-time list, behind Austrian Annemarie Moser-Pröll, who has six titles. “That remains my major goal. I have a substantial lead, but I’m not complacent. Focusing on the championship helps me concentrate on the season’s objectives rather than the number of victories,” Shiffrin added.

Having achieved her 84th World Cup win on Wednesday, Shiffrin is poised to match Stenmark’s record with potential victories at the Czech resort of Spindleruv Mlyn this weekend.