Eileen Shiffrin, mother of skiing superstar Mikaela Shiffrin, took to Instagram on Friday to express her enthusiasm ahead of the 2025-2026 FIS Alpine Ski World Cup season opener in Obergurgl (also known as Gurgl), Austria.
In a post shared with her followers, Eileen wrote: “Can’t wait to see all of our women ripping Gurgl on Peacock tomorrow👊💪. Good luck ladies and bib 5 ❤️.”
The message appears to cheer on the entire U.S. women’s technical team set to compete in the giant slalom event, with a special shout-out to “bib 5” – widely interpreted as support for Mikaela Shiffrin, who is expected to wear that starting number in Saturday’s race.
The season-opening women’s races in Obergurgl mark the first World Cup events following the traditional Sölden opener, which was canceled earlier this fall. Fans in the United States can catch the action live on Peacock, as highlighted in the post.
Mikaela Shiffrin, a multiple Olympic and World Champion, is aiming for another strong campaign after a injury-impacted previous season. The American squad is considered one of the favorites in the technical disciplines, with high expectations for podium finishes.
The post quickly garnered attention from skiing enthusiasts, reflecting the ongoing excitement surrounding the return of World Cup racing.
