In the world of alpine skiing, few names resonate as powerfully as Mikaela Shiffrin. The two-time Olympic gold medalist and record-breaking World Cup champion has not only redefined excellence on the slopes but has also turned a simple piece of equipment—her helmet—into an enduring emblem of sports history. Adorned with decals that carry deeply personal and motivational messages, Shiffrin’s helmet tells a story of ambition, resilience, and legacy that transcends the sport.
At just 18 years old, Shiffrin burst onto the global stage at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, becoming the youngest Olympic slalom champion in history. On the back of her helmet, a gold sticker bearing the letters “A.B.F.T.T.B.” caught the world’s attention. The acronym, standing for “Always Be Faster Than The Boys,” was a tribute to three-time U.S. Olympian Heidi Voelker, who autographed a poster for a young Shiffrin with the phrase when she was just six years old. “I always saw that poster in our basement,” Shiffrin recalled in a 2014 interview with FOX Sports. “My dad said, ‘You should write that on your skis.’ Now it’s on my helmet. It’s inspiring, almost like a ritual.”
That mantra, born from a childhood idol’s encouragement, became a guiding force in Shiffrin’s career. It propelled her to seven World Cup slalom wins by age 18, the second-most by any American, and cemented her as a prodigy with a relentless drive to compete—not just against her peers, but against the best, regardless of gender. The “A.B.F.T.T.B.” decal has remained a constant on her helmet, a reminder of her roots and the audacious goals she set as a child.
In 2020, Shiffrin added another layer of meaning to her helmet with a second sticker, one that carries the weight of personal loss and familial love. Following the sudden death of her father, Jeff Shiffrin, in February 2020, she honored his memory with a decal inscribed with his life mantra: “Be nice. Think first. Have fun.” These words, instilled in Shiffrin and her brother Taylor during their childhood, reflect Jeff’s philosophy of balancing ambition with kindness and joy. “It’s not just about racing,” Shiffrin told NBC Sports in 2020. “Fun is doing something well and finding satisfaction in sticking to it.”
This dual-message helmet has accompanied Shiffrin through a career marked by unparalleled success and profound challenges. With 101 World Cup victories—the most by any alpine skier, male or female—Shiffrin has shattered records once thought untouchable. Her 100th win in Sestriere, Italy, on February 23, 2025, and her 101st in Sun Valley, Idaho, a month later, solidified her as the sport’s greatest competitor. Yet, her journey has not been without adversity. A November 2024 crash in Killington, Vermont, left her with a deep puncture wound and severe muscle trauma, sidelining her for two months and forcing her to confront post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). “I’m mentally blocked in being able to get to the next level of pace,” she admitted in February 2025, revealing the psychological toll of her injuries.
Despite these setbacks, Shiffrin’s helmet remains a beacon of her resilience. The “A.B.F.T.T.B.” and “Be nice. Think first. Have fun.” decals are more than slogans; they are a testament to her ability to channel personal motivation and emotional strength into her performance. “This helmet is a piece of sports history,” said Karin Harjo, Shiffrin’s head coach, in a recent interview. “It carries the story of a skier who has redefined what’s possible while staying true to her values.”
Shiffrin’s influence extends beyond her victories. In 2020, she and her family launched the Jeff Shiffrin Athlete Resiliency Fund, raising over $3.7 million to support U.S. Ski & Snowboard athletes. Her recent investment in Denver’s National Women’s Soccer League expansion team and the MIK100 campaign, which raised nearly $500,000 for youth snow sports programs, underscore her commitment to making sports more accessible. “I want to share the joy and passion this sport has given me,” Shiffrin said in a 2025 interview with GearJunkie.
As Shiffrin prepares for the 2026 Winter Olympics, her helmet will undoubtedly continue to inspire. It is a canvas of her journey—a blend of youthful ambition, familial wisdom, and an unwavering drive to push boundaries. “There’s always somebody great who has come before you,” Shiffrin said in a 2024 Oakley campaign. “Your goal is not to be them, but to be yourself and be better.”
For fans and athletes alike, Shiffrin’s helmet is more than protective gear; it’s a symbol of a legacy that continues to shape the future of alpine skiing. As she speeds down the slopes, those small stickers carry a big message: Mikaela Shiffrin is not just racing for records—she’s racing for history.
