The FIS Ski World Cup is on fire, and skiing fans are all in—but Mikaela Shiffrin’s fans? They’re next-level hyped as she gets closer to hitting the big 100-win milestone! Just recently, though, Mikaela barely missed her shot at adding another win to her tally. She was leading the race, but a few slip-ups bumped her down to fifth place, leaving her still holding at 97 wins.

Italy’s Federica Brignone ended up snagging the top spot at the World Cup season opener with a time of 2:16:05, while Alice Robinson from New Zealand was a hair’s breadth behind, just 0.17 seconds off. Now, Mikaela Shiffrin’s ready for a comeback at one of her all-time favorite spots: Levi, Finland. But before diving back into the action, she took a moment to reflect on her journey so far, sharing a few thoughts as she waits for that legendary 100th win!

On November 14, the Olympic Games’ X account treated fans to a snippet of their latest podcast episode, ‘Lucas Braathen, Mikaela Shiffrin and All Things Alpine Skiing.’ In it, Mikaela Shiffrin reflects on her astonishing journey through the sport with a refreshing dose of humility. “It’s sort of—I’m a little numb to it,” she shared. For Shiffrin, it’s never been about chasing numbers. Instead, she sees her career through the lens of “moments and experiences and celebrations, or disappointments.” Numbers may mark milestones, but they don’t tell the whole story.

In March 2023, Shiffrin snagged her 87th World Cup win, passing Ingemar Stenmark’s record of 86. Now in 2024, she’s just three victories shy of hitting the century mark. Taking a step back, she mused about the rare air she’s breathing now, noting how reaching “97 or is close to getting 100” victories is a feat she finds both “It’s pretty cool” and “It’s pretty weird.” But Shiffrin doesn’t want her legacy to stop there; she hopes her accomplishments inspire the next wave of athletes to break boundaries and “push the limits of what’s possible.” After all, that’s what keeps her—and so many others—in love with the magic of sports.

Indeed, for Mikaela Shiffrin, it’s never just about the numbers. Instead, her heart is set on each perfect, impeccably timed carve down the slope, savoring the art of every turn. And if she’s not focused on her own game, she’s beaming with pride over her teammates—like their incredible achievement in Sölden, where four U.S. skiers placed in the top 11, marking their best team result in nearly four decades.

And with Mikaela Shiffrin’s new ambassadorship with the Share Winter Foundation, Shiffrin’s perspective on “best ever” records has shifted. Share Winter’s mission is close to her heart: opening winter sports to kids who might not otherwise experience them, giving young dreamers a chance to thrive in the snow. As she sees it now, this record chase is an “opportunity to bring more eyes and ideally, more passion to the sport.” So, as she heads to Levi, what’s really on her mind?

Mikaela Shiffrin heads to Levi, pumped to compete but with a twinge of sadness

Curious what’s been on Mikaela Shiffrin’s mind lately? The alpine legend opened up to FIS about her upcoming slalom showdown in Levi, sharing a few surprising thoughts. In an article by FIS-Ski.com from November 12, Shiffrin admitted that despite seven dazzling victories on Levi’s slopes, she never feels entirely confident racing there, “It’s never obvious and it’s never easy.” Since her first appearance on the Finnish course back in 2012, Shiffrin has carved out countless unforgettable moments, yet this year, she senses the excitement may feel just a bit dimmer.

Why the change? Shiffrin’s fiercest rival, Petra Vlhova, suffered a season-ending injury in Slovakia in January and still hasn’t fully recovered. Vlhova’s absence means this year’s World Cup won’t showcase their usual fierce duels—an element Shiffrin admits she’ll miss. “I am going to miss those battles on the slope,” she confessed, expressing just how different it feels without her longtime competitor pushing her limits.

After Vlhova’s setback, Shiffrin took to social media to share her heartfelt hope for her recovery, noting that things just wouldn’t be the same without her. Though their epic rivalry will pause this year, the race is still packed with contenders ready to challenge Shiffrin and keep her on edge.