Mikaela Shiffrin: The last 12 years have been like a billion little moments that can’t be described
After equalling Lindsey Vonn's women's record of 82 Alpine skiing World Cup wins, the double Olympic champion explains why she wants to live in the moment.
Alpine Skiing
Sunday 8th January 2023 is a date that will live long in the memory for USA alpine skiing star Mikaela Shiffrin. It was when she won her 82nd World Cup race in Kranjska Gora to go equal with Lindsey Vonn at te top of the women's all-time list.
Just over 48 hours later, in Flachau, Austria, the double Olympic champion has the opportunity to move clear as the top female, into second on the overall list, and edge closer to Ingemar Stenmark's mark of 86 wins.
But while breaking records are nice, Shiffrin doesn't want to get sidetracked by the pursuit of them.
"I don’t care about the number, I just focus on the skiing," 27-year-old Shiffrin told reporters after her victory in Kranjska Gora.
“Maybe at some point some people will stop talking about it (the record). I’m really trying not to think about it. I’m trying not to change my goals for this record. But it’s 82 victories which is indescribable, so it’s hard to focus.
“If I get there (86 wins) I hope that it doesn't feel like a relief. It would be such a shame to feel relieved about 86 victories because then it’s over. I should just celebrate whatever comes for the next races and the rest of my career as I don’t want to ruin it by chasing some record that probably shouldn’t be broken anyway.
“I’m going to keep taking it step by step."
With so much pressure on her shoulders to win, the Colorado native gave an insight into how she controls her nerves:
“When I feel nervous the heart is beating, and I can’t feel my legs. Whenever I feel like that, I try to be more powerful, and somehow push harder instead of being too nice to the trail."
Mikaela Shiffrin keen to live in the moment
In 2020, the Colorado native's world was rocked when her father died, and she took a break from the sport.
After returing to the sport, she injured her back in 2021 and suffered from inconsistent form for the rest of the season.
Shiffrin was still considered a favourite to land gold medals at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. However, she suffered an uncharacteristic Did Not Finish (DNF) in the giant slalom and slalom, before finishing ninth in the super-G and failing to medal in the downhill and combined events.
Therefore, it is perhaps understandable that Shiffrin would prefer to simply enjoy the moment and her return to great form, given the tumultous nature of her past few seasons.
“The last 12 years have been like a billion little moments that can’t be described and maybe it’s some kind of cumulation of all these feelings you’ve had. Looking at my past doesn’t feel the same. I wish I could go back and share it with more of the people that I love," she continued.
"I have a feeling right now that something bad is going to happen because the last time I had momentum like this was the season before my nana died and my dad died and I don’t think I deserve to break these records. I’m just trying to ski well.
“My dad used to take pictures of me and most races these days I’ll think about him feel emotional and then I’ll refocus and bring the energy for the run which has been a big area of improvement for me."