After Dominating the Slalom Season With a Bang, Mikaela Shiffrin Reflects on 97th World Championship Win: “It’s Been a Wild Season”

Mikaela Shiffrin‘s journey this season can best be described as “Wild”, a rollercoaster of challenges and triumphs that underscored her resilience. From hospital visits, one of which was to support her boyfriend Aleksander Kilde, to witnessing her rival Petra Vlhova’s season-ending race crash in January, Shiffrin faced obstacles at every turn. Amidst the flurry of excitement and tension, she remained unwavering in her quest for excellence, culminating in a triumphant finish at the World Cup Finals.

Shiffrin soared to victory in Saturday’s thrilling slalom event held in Saalbach, Austria, leaving her competitors trailing behind by a remarkable margin of 54 hundredths of a second. This outstanding performance not only extended her record with a staggering 97th career World Cup win, but also sealed her ninth triumph of the season. Furthermore, it marked a significant milestone as she secured her 60th career World Cup slalom victory, reaffirming her position as a formidable presence in alpine skiing. However, what truly captured the spotlight was her post-event interview.

Mikaela Shiffrin’s “Wild” season

In a recent YouTube video shared by Alpsports, Mikaela Shiffrin’s post-race reflections provided a window into the peaks and valleys of her season. With evident enthusiasm, Shiffrin shared, “It’s been a wild season, so I’m really happy to be here and see the final race of the season go well. I’m looking forward to the next season already“.

When prompted about the significance of her achievements, particularly the numerical milestones, Shiffrin’s response revealed a blend of humility and pride. She admitted to the initial challenge of processing the magnitude of her accomplishments, but emphasized her newfound comfort with them. For Shiffrin, the numbers signify more than just statistics; they symbolize the culmination of hard work and dedication, transforming pressure into an honor that fuels her passion for skiing. Achieving this much came with a lot of struggle as well, illustrating the depth of her journey to the top.

Defying odds and seizing victory

In the midst of the January crash, Mikaela Shiffrin found herself grappling with the aftermath of sprained left leg ligaments, a setback that sidelined her for an 11-race stretch of the 39-race campaign. However, last weekend marked her triumphant return to the slopes, clinching yet another win to secure an eighth slalom season title. Yet, this was merely one chapter in a season marked by unforeseen hurdles. Earlier in the season, a bone bruise on her left tibial plateau, sustained during an autumn practice crash, had already disrupted her training regimen significantly.

However, as she reflects on her journey, Shiffrin acknowledges that the calm she anticipated was not to be. As she approaches the next phase of her career, with the prospect of reaching 100 World Cup victories and the opportunity to break the all-time medals record at the forthcoming world championships, Shiffrin plans to face these milestones with a newfound sense of acceptance and honor.

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