In the space of 15 seconds, Mikaela Shiffrin just turned a cute reindeer-naming ceremony into the most talked-about moment of the young World Cup season.
Standing on the snowy podium at Ounaskievari Reindeer Farm after her dominant 102nd career victory, the 30-year-old American was asked why she chose the name “Winkie” for her ninth Levi reindeer.
Her answer, delivered with a beaming smile that instantly broke the internet:
“This one is extra special. I’ve been waiting for the right moment to use my mom’s childhood nickname, and it just felt perfect today.”
Yes, you read that correctly: Shiffrin has been sitting on the adorable nickname “Winkie” – the one her mother Eileen was called as a little girl – for years… and the “right moment” turned out to be a reindeer, not her fiancé, Aleksander Aamodt Kilde.
The quote spread faster than fresh powder on Levi Black. Within minutes, #WinkieGate was trending worldwide, with fans dissecting every possible angle:
“She literally said she’s been SAVING the name… for the reindeer 😭”
“Kilde somewhere staring at his phone like ‘so when’s MY moment coming??’”
“Mikaela Shiffrin just gave her mom the ultimate flex and her fiancé the softest L of 2025”
Eileen Shiffrin, who has coached and supported Mikaela since day one, was visibly emotional in the finish area. She later posted the second-run footage with the now-iconic caption: “This one, takes my breath away.”
Aleksander Aamodt Kilde – currently rehabbing a shoulder injury in Norway – has remained silent on social media since Saturday’s race. His last post was a recovery update on Thursday. No congratulations for win #102. No reindeer emoji. Nothing.
Shiffrin now owns the most famous reindeer herd in sport: Rudolph, Sven, Mr. Gru, Ingemar, Sunny, Lorax, Grogu, Rori… and the one that stole the show, Winkie.
Moral of the story? Never underestimate the power of a childhood nickname and perfect comic timing.
Killington is next. The slopes will be fast, but the comment sections are already faster. 🦌🔥
