American skiing superstar Mikaela Shiffrin kicked off the 2025-26 World Cup season in commanding fashion, securing her record-extending 102nd career victory with a flawless slalom performance in Levi on November 15. The 30-year-old dominated both runs on the challenging Levi Black course, finishing 1.66 seconds ahead of 19-year-old Albanian sensation Lara Colturi, who celebrated her birthday with a career-best second place.
Shiffrin’s ninth win at Levi – a venue where she has now triumphed in five of the last six editions – also earned her a ninth reindeer, continuing the beloved Finnish tradition of awarding a live animal from the Ounaskievari Reindeer Farm to the victor. In a touching tribute, Shiffrin named her latest prize “Winkie”, after her mother Eileen’s childhood nickname.
“It’s been a long time coming for my mom to finally get a reindeer in her name,” Shiffrin shared on social media, posting a photo with the young reindeer. Winkie joins her growing herd: Rudolph, Sven, Mr. Gru, Ingemar (honoring Swedish legend Ingemar Stenmark), Sunny, Lorax, Grogu, and Rori. The animals remain at the farm in Lapland, where Shiffrin has visited them in the past, describing the experience as a joyful “family affair.”
The victory marked Shiffrin’s 65th World Cup slalom win and served as a powerful statement heading into the Olympic season, with the Milano Cortina 2026 Games just months away. After a challenging 2024-25 campaign disrupted by injuries – including lingering effects from crashes in Cortina and Killington – Shiffrin appeared fully rejuvenated.
“I trusted the summer training, but the mentality was the final push,” she told broadcasters after the race. “I’m super happy to feel really good again.”
Shiffrin’s triumph underscores her unmatched dominance in slalom while highlighting the personal support system that has fueled her legendary career. Eileen Shiffrin, a constant presence as coach, mentor, and confidante, has been instrumental in her daughter’s resilience.
With this emphatic season opener, Shiffrin not only extended her all-time World Cup wins record but also reminded the ski world of her enduring passion and unbreakable bond with family – now eternally symbolized by a reindeer named Winkie grazing under the Northern Lights.
