In a moment that instantly became one of the most viral clips in skiing history, Mikaela Shiffrin realized she had just secured her sixth overall FIS Alpine World Cup Crystal Globe — tying the all-time women’s record held by Austrian legend Annemarie Moser-Pröll.
The 31-year-old American superstar, already the winningest skier of all time with 110 World Cup victories, wrapped up the 2025-26 season in dominant fashion. After storming to a record ninth slalom win of the season on Tuesday (her 73rd career slalom victory), Shiffrin only needed to finish in the top 15 in Wednesday’s final giant slalom to mathematically clinch the big globe.
She did far more than that.
As the results rolled in and rival Emma Aicher’s chances evaporated, cameras caught the precise instant the realization hit Shiffrin: a raw, tear-filled expression of joy, relief, and disbelief that has since flooded social media with captions like “I’m not crying, you are.”a684e0
Shiffrin finished the season 87 points ahead of Germany’s rising star Emma Aicher in the overall standings, capping a campaign that saw her dominate slalom (clinching that discipline globe weeks earlier and winning nine of ten races) while battling through a tightly contested overall fight. Her sixth overall title matches Moser-Pröll’s mark and comes after she missed significant time in previous seasons due to injury.
“This one feels different,” Shiffrin said after the race. “It’s been a long journey back, and to tie a hero like Annemarie… I’m just so grateful.”
The American phenom now boasts an astonishing 17 Crystal Globes in total (6 overall, 9 slalom, 2 giant slalom), further cementing her status as the greatest alpine skier the sport has ever seen — male or female.
Canada’s Valérie Grenier stole the show in the final giant slalom with a stunning gold, but all eyes were on Shiffrin as the overall champion was crowned.
From her breakout teenage wins to Olympic golds and now this emotional sixth big globe, Shiffrin continues to rewrite the record books. The viral clip of “the moment” is already being called the perfect ending to a legendary season.
The GOAT just added another trophy to the collection — and the world got to watch her feel every bit of it. 🏆❄️
