Despite Becoming Namesake of an Award, Mikaela Shiffrin’s Legacy Takes Almost a Decade to Be Honored

The winningest alpine skier Mikaela Shiffrin won her first World Cup race about eleven years ago. Then, following Judy Nagel, Shiffrin at age 17, became the second-youngest American woman to do so. After Switzerland’s gold medalist Michela Figini, Shiffrin won the slalom event the next year, becoming the sport’s youngest male or female victor in 30 years. Following that, from 2013 to 2019, she won four consecutive slalom worlds becoming the first athlete to achieve this in any discipline. The all-around athlete making news in the snowscape caught the attention of around the world, but the uproar surrounding a female skier didn’t quite garner much attention.

The series of World Cup circuit wins continues unabated for the Colorado-born skier, who has shattered and surpassed numerous skiing records. However, the recognition she truly deserved remained elusive until this year, when she surpassed her peers by securing her 88th World Cup title. Amid this sudden surge in her recognition, an artistic tribute recently emerged online.

Mikaela Shiffrin receives a special gift from a native

At merely 28, Shiffrin is at the pinnacle of success in the alpine skiing realm. Following her name making headlines this year, renowned artist Jodi “Shen” Goldman-Hallford made a canvas piece titled, “Going for the Gold,” to honor Shiffrin’s youngest Olympic gold experience from 2014. The painter recreated the skier during the course of action at the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. Apart from the vibrant display of the Olympic rings, vivid hues, and snowflakes, the painting is set to be open to the public in Avon Town Hall.

The artist explained where she got the inspiration for the piece by recalling a moment when she and the skier had a shared victory. Shen expressed her admiration for Shiffrin and said she was “so impressed with her fortitude, her work ethic, and just going for it.” She also revealed having worked with some mutual connections who were familiar with Shiffrin over the years. However, it wasn’t until this summer that the concept actually materialized.

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Shen’s background as an artist is truly exceptional in itself. She boldly took the initiative to become the first female graffiti artist on the West Coast. Despite receiving comments about her work being “good for a girl,” Shen pursued her passion relentlessly, she told the Vail Daily. She started spray painting in the 1980s and continues to use the same techniques in her contemporary artwork. Her recent acrylic painting, “Going for the Gold”, is a prime example of her artistic skills, as she utilized airbrushing to create a stunning masterpiece.

The iconic alpine skier’s rise to fame explained

Since Shiffrin won the 83rd World Cup race on 24 January 2023, the celebration hasn’t stopped for her. She ousted reigning female World Cup champion Lindsey Vonn with her victory. In the span of two months, Shiffrin equaled Ingemar Stenmark’s record of 86 World Cup victories overall. Just two days prior to her 28th birthday, Shiffrin won her 87th World Cup race, putting her ahead of the competition and in the next position on the podium. On March 18th, Shiffrin and Vonn matched the record for the most podium finishes in a World Cup. The following day, she broke Vreni Schneider’s previous women’s record for the most World Cup giant slalom victories.

Since winning the ESPY 2023 award for best female athlete on July 12, her name climbed to the fourth spot on a list of the top 6 accounts on meta threads. Even though Shiffrin is a natural in her sport, the young athletes will undoubtedly pick up something from each and every tribute she so richly deserves.

Watch this story “Only Confidence I Wanna Have”: With ESPY Added to Her Long-List of Accomplishments Mikaela Shiffrin Shares a Heart-Felt Confession.