Two-time Olympic gold medalist and seven-time world champion Mikaela Shiffrin, the most dominant force in women’s alpine skiing history, has achieved unparalleled success. With 99 World Cup victories, is it time for the legendary skier to consider retirement?

The American ski legend, known for her record-breaking career, is already contemplating her legacy and how she can continue to inspire the next generation of skiers. She recognizes that her journey extends beyond the pursuit of medals. And her impact on the world can extend far beyond the ski slopes.

In a rare moment of reflection, the skiing legend opened up about her hopes for the future, revealing a desire to connect with fans and share her passion for skiing with the world. In a recent interview with GearJunkie, Shiffrin revealed a profound perspective on her legacy: “I guess I just want to exist in life … with honesty and having kindness for others and a willingness to be open to others.”

The record-breaker further visualized, “I suppose that’s not really about legacy, but I am really passionate, obviously, about this sport. And I’m becoming more and more passionate about trying to share it with the world as much as possible and make it more accessible to more people because it’s been such a gift in my life. I feel like that’s a gift that a lot of people could benefit from physically, mentally, emotionally.”

Shiffrin’s career has been quite a whirlwind. From winning her first World Cup slalom at just 16 years old to becoming the youngest Olympic slalom champion at 18, she has consistently shattered records and defied expectations. However, the path to greatness has not been without its challenges.

Shiffrin recognizes the importance of making skiing more accessible to a wider audience. This focus on accessibility aligns with Shiffrin’s journey. Witnessing the transformative power of skiing firsthand, Mikaela wants to ensure that others can experience the same joy and fulfillment.

Mikaela Shiffrin on overcoming adversity and injury

At 29, Shiffrin has already achieved more than most athletes could ever dream of. And along with that, one can’t underestimate the psychological toll of constant competition and the pressure to perform at the highest level. Shiffrin, who has faced!

“I was really lucky,” Shiffrin recalled, “because it was probably like a millimeter from my colon.” The injury, which required surgery, forced her to confront the uncertainty of her return and re-evaluate her priorities. However, she could face a long road to her return to the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup.

The recent injuries have undoubtedly taken their toll. The incident at Killington served as a stark reminder of the inherent risks associated with elite-level sports. Despite these challenges, Shiffrin remains optimistic. She views these setbacks as valuable life lessons, opportunities for growth and reflection. “It just depends on how I improve over the next weeks and months,” she said regarding her recovery.

The USA alpine skier, has been sidelined due to injury, a cruel twist of fate as she was on the verge of achieving a historic milestone. With 99 World Cup victories to her name, she was on the brink of securing her career’s 100th World Cup victory when she crashed in the second run of the giant slalom in Killington, resulting in a deep puncture to her oblique muscle.

Her 99 World Cup victories, including a record 62 in slalom are quite a feat! She had already secured the 2023 World Cup slalom and giant slalom titles, adding to her impressive resume of five overall World Cup titles and 16 globe wins.

Mikela Shriffin has inspired a generation of skiers, captivated a global audience, and redefined the boundaries of excellence in women’s alpine skiing. She wants to use her platform to inspire the next generation of skiers, to share the joy and passion that she has found in the sport. Do you believe Mikaela Shiffrin will return to competitive skiing at the highest level?