Mikaela Shiffrin etched another chapter in her legendary career today, clinching her record-breaking 103rd FIS Alpine Ski World Cup win with a masterful performance in the women’s slalom at the Gurgl stop. The 30-year-old American superstar dominated the high-altitude course, solidifying her status as the greatest alpine skier in history and sending waves of excitement through the international skiing community.
Under crisp, sunny skies and on a impeccably groomed track that tested precision and power, Shiffrin posted the fastest time in both runs, finishing with a combined margin of 1.23 seconds ahead of the field. Her flawless technique through the steep, twisting sections of the Kirchenkar course – a venue that made its women’s World Cup debut last season – left competitors in awe and fans chanting her name. This victory marks her 66th career slalom triumph, extending her own record in the discipline.
“It’s an incredible feeling to hit this milestone here in Gurgl,” Shiffrin said post-race, her breath visible in the chilly alpine air. “The course demanded everything – focus, flow, and a bit of fire. I’m grateful for the support from my team and everyone back home. This one’s for the journey we’ve all been on.”
Shiffrin, who entered the day as the overall World Cup leader after her dominant win in Levi, Finland, earlier this month, now holds a commanding 170-point advantage in the standings. Her teammate Paula Moltzan, fresh off a strong sixth-place finish in last year’s Gurgl event, crossed the line in fourth today, earning valuable points and keeping the U.S. Ski & Snowboard contingent in contention for Olympic quota spots ahead of the 2026 Milano Cortina Games.
The podium was a blend of experience and emerging talent. Sweden’s Anna Swenn Larsson, 35, claimed second place with a gritty second-run comeback, while 19-year-old sensation Lara Colturi of Albania secured third – her first World Cup podium and a nod to the next generation nipping at Shiffrin’s heels. Colturi, the 2025 Longines Rising Star, had already turned heads with a runner-up finish in Levi, signaling the fierce competition in women’s slalom as Shiffrin chases her sixth overall crystal globe.
This win comes on the heels of Shiffrin’s emotional 100th victory in February, a slalom triumph in Sestriere, Italy, that capped a resilient comeback from a serious crash in Killington, Vermont, the previous November. That Gurgl race last year was her 99th, setting the stage for a historic homecoming run. Now, with 103 under her belt, Shiffrin has surpassed Sweden’s Ingemar Stenmark’s long-standing record of 86 slalom wins and continues to rewrite the record books across disciplines.
The U.S. women’s team showed depth throughout the field, with Nina O’Brien and AJ Hurt advancing to the second run and posting respectable finishes in the top 20. On the men’s side, Saturday’s slalom saw Brazil’s Lucas Pinheiro Braathen make history as the first Brazilian to win a World Cup event, adding to the weekend’s global flair.
As the 2025-26 season heats up – an Olympic year packed with high-stakes racing – Shiffrin’s form is a beacon for Team USA. “Mikaela’s not just winning; she’s inspiring,” said U.S. Ski & Snowboard head coach Paul Kristofic. “Her dominance raises the bar for everyone.”
Fans can catch the next women’s slalom in Killington, Vermont, on December 7, where Shiffrin will defend her title on home snow. Broadcasts air live on Peacock and NBCSN, with full coverage on skiandsnowboard.live.
