St. Moritz and Courchevel, December 2025 – In a thrilling display of dominance on the slopes, U.S. alpine skiing stars Lindsey Vonn and Mikaela Shiffrin have kicked off the 2025-26 FIS World Cup season with remarkable victories, each marked by exuberant podium celebrations featuring oversized bottles of sparkling wine.
Lindsey Vonn, the 41-year-old comeback sensation who returned to competition after a knee replacement and nearly six years away from the World Cup circuit, claimed a historic victory in the downhill event in St. Moritz, Switzerland, on December 12. Her win marked her 83rd career World Cup triumph, making her the oldest woman ever to win a World Cup race. On the podium, Vonn participated in the traditional champagne spray alongside fellow finishers, tears of emotion mixing with the festivities as the U.S. national anthem played.
Days later, Mikaela Shiffrin, the all-time World Cup wins leader, secured her record-extending victory in Courchevel, France, hoisting a massive jeroboam of Champagne Devaux in celebration. Shiffrin’s triumph further solidified her status as the most successful alpine skier in history, with over 105 career wins.
While the two icons competed in separate events—Vonn excelling in speed disciplines and Shiffrin dominating technical races—their simultaneous successes highlighted the strength of Team USA heading into the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Fans and media alike have drawn parallels to classic podium rituals, where champagne flows freely and laughter echoes across the finish area, embodying the joy of victory at the highest level of the sport.
Both athletes have expressed mutual respect, with Vonn praising Shiffrin’s versatility and Shiffrin acknowledging Vonn’s inspirational return. As the season progresses, the alpine skiing world eagerly anticipates more head-to-head moments and potential Olympic team pairings in the new team combined event.
- Team USA continues to lead the charge in women’s alpine skiing, proving that experience and talent can turn every finish line into a celebration.
