Mikaela Shiffrin continues to rewrite skiing history. On Sunday, the American skier achieved yet another milestone by securing her 156th World Cup podium finish. She placed third in the slalom event in Åre, Sweden, surpassing the previous record held by Swedish skiing legend Ingemar Stenmark, who competed in the 1970s and 80s.
Shiffrin, who recently became the first downhill skier to reach 100 World Cup wins, now holds numerous records. Even she admits it is difficult to keep track of them all.
“There are so many discussions about different numbers,” she said, according to the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS).
The 29-year-old initially led after the first run but struggled in the second, finishing 25th in that stage. This resulted in a third-place overall finish, while Austria’s Katharina Truppe claimed her first World Cup victory.
“I feel pretty good about it,” Shiffrin said. “In challenging conditions, you have to be so perfect. It can be really hard to ski loose and aggressive when there’s no room for error.”
Her latest achievement comes as she continues to recover from injuries sustained in a crash last November. During that incident, she suffered a puncture wound to her abdomen and severe muscle trauma. This was only her fifth slalom race since the accident.
Beyond the physical toll, Shiffrin has also faced mental challenges. She withdrew from the giant slalom at the world championships due to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
“When we got over here (Europe) and I started to really get into the intensity with giant slalom, there’s this kind of mind-body disconnect,” she told CNN’s Coy Wire last month. “I’m telling myself to do certain technical moves, and it’s just not happening.
“My body’s screaming at me, it’s like a fight or flight: ‘No, don’t do it, it’s risky, it’s dangerous.’ … This whole journey has felt a little bit like whiplash, I think, for me and for the whole team.”
Despite these challenges, Shiffrin continues to prove her dominance in the sport. Her latest record further cements her legacy as one of the greatest skiers of all time.
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