Author: Vibye Media

As the floodlit slopes of Levi pulsed with the roar of Finnish fans, Mikaela Shiffrin etched another chapter in her unparalleled legacy, clinching a commanding victory in the women’s slalom opener to launch the 2025/26 FIS Alpine Ski World Cup season. But amid the celebrations, the narrative extended beyond the finish line to her fiancé, Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, the Norwegian speed specialist whose grueling recovery from a career-threatening injury draws daily motivation from Shiffrin’s unyielding drive. Shiffrin, the 30-year-old American phenom, powered through both runs on the demanding 56-gate Black course, posting a combined time of 1:48.92 to win by…

Mikaela Shiffrin delivered a commanding statement to kick off the 2025/26 FIS Alpine Ski World Cup slalom season, posting the fastest first-run time in Levi and laying down a marker for her pursuit of Milano Cortina 2026 glory. The 30-year-old American, skiing third after an early crash by teammate Annika Hunt, stormed the 56-gate course in 56.08 seconds—establishing a lead of over one second heading into Sunday’s second run. The performance served as a forceful rebuttal to the lingering shadows of her 2022 Beijing Olympics, where three DNFs left the two-time slalom gold medalist without a podium. Speaking with Olympics.com,…

In a pulse-pounding start to the 2025/26 FIS Alpine Ski World Cup slalom season, Brazilian sensation Lucas Pinheiro Braathen unleashed a ferocious first-run performance to seize the provisional lead at the iconic Levi Black course, igniting hopes of a historic podium for his adopted nation. Under crisp Nordic skies and in front of a raucous crowd of Finnish faithful, the 25-year-old Braathen – who switched allegiance from Norway to Brazil ahead of his dramatic 2024 comeback from retirement – carved through the 62-gate course with surgical precision, clocking a blistering time that left his rivals scrambling. His aggressive line through…

American skiing superstar Mikaela Shiffrin delivered another masterclass in the Alpine Ski World Cup slalom on Saturday, securing her ninth victory at the Levi venue and her 102nd career World Cup triumph overall. The weekend also saw significant developments across various sports. In college football, Virginia Tech is in preliminary talks with ex-Penn State head coach James Franklin. UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava will sit out against Ohio State due to a concussion protocol, joining a list of injury concerns including Denver Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins, whose season appears over. The Canadian Football League is grappling with backlash over new…

Mikaela Shiffrin just parked the entire team in Lapland. The American ski queen claimed her ninth Levi slalom victory on Saturday, earning her ninth live reindeer and pushing her career World Cup win total to a record 102. The 30-year-old dominated the season opener with a two-run time of 1:48.92, finishing 1.66 seconds ahead of 19-year-old Albanian phenom Lara Colturi (2nd) and Germany’s Emma Aicher (3rd). But the real prize? Another four-legged teammate for her growing Arctic herd. “I haven’t named him yet,” Shiffrin said on the podium, grinning as the young buck sniffed her glove. “I like to see…

Mikaela Shiffrin stood atop the podium in the Arctic twilight, crystal globe in one hand, a curious reindeer’s lead rope in the other, and declared Levi her second home. “It’s starting to feel more like home,” the 30-year-old American said into the FIS microphone, her breath visible in the −8°C air. “I really enjoy being here.” She has every reason to. On Saturday, Shiffrin delivered a masterclass in the season-opening World Cup slalom, posting 1:48.92 (56.08 + 52.84) to win by 1.66 seconds—her ninth Levi slalom title, her 102nd career World Cup victory, and her ninth live reindeer. The reindeer,…

Mikaela Shiffrin didn’t just win the World Cup slalom opener—she declared her Olympic intentions. The American icon claimed her 102nd career victory on Saturday in Lapland, Finland, beating 19-year-old Albanian prodigy Lara Colturi by a commanding 1.66 seconds to kick off her 2025-26 season—and her Milan-Cortina 2026 qualification campaign—in dominant fashion. Shiffrin, 30, posted a two-run total of 1:48.92, refusing to ease off despite a sizable first-run lead. “I didn’t want to throw it away with risky moves,” she said post-race. “I trusted the work we did all summer.” Olympic Qualification: On Track and Ahead of Schedule The path to…

Mikaela Shiffrin wasted no time silencing doubters after a shaky giant slalom opener in Austria. The American superstar stormed to victory in Saturday’s World Cup slalom at Levi, clocking a dominant 1:48.92 (56.08 + 52.84) to claim her ninth Levi slalom title, her 102nd career World Cup win, and—by local tradition—her ninth live reindeer. The 30-year-old two-time Olympic champion finished 1.66 seconds clear of 19-year-old Albanian phenom Lara Colturi, who marked her World Cup debut with a stunning runner-up finish on her birthday. Germany’s Emma Aicher took third for her first slalom podium. Shiffrin’s fiancé, Norwegian skier Aleksander Kilde, was…

Mikaela Shiffrin claimed her 102nd FIS Alpine Ski World Cup victory in style on Saturday, securing a record-extending ninth slalom win in Levi and her ninth ceremonial reindeer. The American superstar dominated the Arctic classic, winning by a commanding 1.66 seconds in front of a roaring crowd under crisp polar skies. Shiffrin posted the fastest times in both runs on the unforgiving Levi Black piste, finishing in a combined 1:47.32. Her victory marks the 60th slalom win of her career and further cements Levi as her personal playground. “Win 102, reindeer number nine — it doesn’t get much better than…

Mikaela Shiffrin cemented her status as the undisputed queen of slalom skiing on Saturday, charging to her ninth career victory in Levi and a historic 102nd FIS Alpine Ski World Cup win overall. The American superstar dominated the Arctic Circle course under clear, frigid skies, finishing 1.66 seconds ahead of the field in a display of precision and power that left no doubt about her enduring supremacy. Shiffrin, 30, posted the fastest time in both runs on the demanding Levi Black slope, navigating tight gates and icy patches with trademark fluidity. Her combined time of 1:47.32 secured the win on…