In the frosty landscapes of Finnish Lapland, Mikaela Shiffrin etched another chapter into her storied career. The American ski sensation delivered a masterclass at the first women’s World Cup slalom of the season. Securing her 98th career victory, she extended her dominance in Alpine skiing. Yet, it wasn’t just the number of wins that captured hearts but also the whimsical prize that accompanied it. The unique tradition of Levi made Shiffrin embrace her eighth reindeer.

For years, Shiffrin has owned the Levi Black course, and Saturday was no exception. Building on a commanding lead from her first run, she executed a calculated yet aggressive second to finish 0.79 seconds ahead of Austria’s Katharina Liensberger. Germany’s Lena Duerr. The German emerged second after the first run, slipped to third, but still managed to stay within a second of Shiffrin’s blistering pace.

After a less-than-perfect season opener in Austria three weeks ago, Mikaela Shiffrin just reclaimed the throne with her unparalleled skill and indomitable victory race. But it wasn’t just a win, it was her eighth in Levi, an achievement tied to Santa’s sleigh in an almost poetic way. As Shiffrin secured yet another reindeer, her collection has grown to match the iconic number of Santa’s helpers. With Christmas just around the corner, the parallel to guiding a sleigh of reindeer isn’t lost on fans. Such a whimsical coincidence now adds a magical layer to her victory. The win doesn’t just make her a skiing legend but also makes her name synonymous with the festive spirit.

Shiffrin reflected on her performance and stated, “Amazing way to start the slalom season. I’m super happy.” The race was far from easy for the legend, the icy course tested even her finest turns. Yet, as she often does, Shiffrin rose to the occasion, blending strength with finesse. “Not the perfect tempo, but enough really good turns that it works really well. In the end, a really solid run in conditions not so easy,” she admitted.

Moreover, she added how the dance of the auroras in the land of the reindeer uplifted her spirits. “Maybe the victory is more special because I saw the northern lights,” said Shiffrin, sharing her belief. With this victory, she extended her World Cup records in both slalom wins (61) and overall victories (98), cementing her status as the most decorated skier across genders. However, fans have been going gaga over the fact that Shiffrin is now the guardian of eight reindeer. 

Fans are left in awe as Mikaela Shiffrin is ready to pull off Santa’s job

Extending her family of reindeer to eight, Shiffrin has added to the festive undertones in the air. And fans from all around the globe have been enchanting praises for the indomitable phenom.

Celebrating Mikaela Shiffrin’s dominance and victory, one X user rightly called her “Queen Miki 👑.” By securing her 98th World Cup victory and eighth reindeer at Levi, Shiffrin reaffirmed her status as a legend in the sport. She has truly crowned herself as one of the legends of the sport. Fans view her as a regal figure in skiing, thus affectionately giving her a nickname.

Another netizen humorously highlights Mikaela Shiffrin’s unique tradition of earning reindeer as prizes for her Levi victories, which now total eight—matching the number of Santa’s sleigh-pulling reindeer. The fan wrote, “Only thing what’s missing now is the sleigh 🦌” With Christmas approaching, the comment playfully suggests that all she needs is a sleigh to complete the festive imagery, as her growing herd symbolizes her dominance on the slopes while evoking the magic of the holiday season.

Echoing the same emotion, another user commented, “Now we’re set if Santa wants to retire.” With Shiffrin now matching that number through her wins at the Finnish World Cup slalom, the fan cleverly suggests she could take over as Santa’s replacement, leading her “sleigh” of reindeer through the snowy winter landscapes. Giving a lighthearted nod to her dominance on the slopes and the festive tradition tied to Levi’s unique prize, the fan mentioned, “WOW!!! One more reindeer and you can pull Santa’s sleigh. Way to go Mikaela!”

Acknowledging Shiffrin’s status as the most decorated skier in history, one fan wrote, “Love ya. World’s greatest skier.” Her victory transcended genders, with 61 slalom wins and consistent triumphs despite challenges. Echoing the same thought, another X user wrote, “Mikaela is simply the best!” Such an emotional connection stems not just from her victories but her resilience, perfectionism, and charm, making her a global icon.