Mikaela Shiffrin sets new World Cup wins record in Are slalom
The double Olympic champion claimed victory number 87 to go one clear of Ingemar Stenmark.
Alpine Skiing
Mikaela Shiffrin is now the most successful racer in Alpine Ski World Cup history.
The American dominated the slalom at Are in Sweden on Saturday (11 March) to move to 87 World Cup wins, one ahead of Ingemar Stenmark who retired in 1989.
The 27-year-old had equalled the Swede's record in Friday's giant slalom, and she was warmly congratulated by her rivals and mobbed by her USA team colleagues after her latest triumph.
Shiffrin converted a first-run lead of almost seven-tenths of a second into a victory margin of 0.92 over Wendy Holdener with local favourite Anna Swenn Larsson a further three-hundredths back in third.
Shiffrin's USA teammate Paula Moltzan was fourth with Canada's world champion Laurence St-Germain fifth.
On being called the greatest of all time afterwards, the double Olympic champion told FIS it was "pretty hard to comprehend that thought".
She added, "My brother and sister-in-law are here and I didn't know they were coming so that makes it so special."
On her winning run, Shiffrin said, "The best feeling is to ski on the second run when... of course you want to win. You have a lead so you have to sort of be smart but also I just wanted to be fast too and ski the second run like its own race. So I did exactly how I wanted and that's amazing."
Hanna Aronsson Elfman looked on course to threaten the podium places after an explosive start to her second, but the young Swede straddled a gate much to the disappointment of the home crowd.
It was a day to forget for reigning Olympic champion Petra Vlhova who was only 12th after the first run and almost stopped on run two before eventually straddling a gate.
Reaction to Shiffrin breaking World Cup wins record
Shiffrin's historic feat has been lauded by figures from sport and beyond.
IOC President Thomas Bach passed on his congratulations and said, "See you in Milano-Cortina 26 for even more Olympic glory."
A number of celebrities recorded video messages for NBC ready for Shiffrin's record-breaking feat.
Superstar gymnast Simone Biles, who publicly backed Shiffrin during her difficult Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games, said, "I just wanted to congratulate you on your record-breaking win. I know you have some more races coming up, so I'll be cheering you on."
Snowboard queen Chloe Kim, who has been to two Games with Shiffrin, said, "I am so stoked and so proud of you. You are the hardest-working person I know, so it only makes sense that you would be the one to do this."
Tennis legend Roger Federer said, "Couldn't be happier for you, your team, and everybody who has helped you along the way to achieve greatness."
Shiffrin's good friend and current women's tennis number one, Iga Swiatek, wished her "congrats for this unbelievable achievement".
Basketball hero Sue Bird told her to "enjoy every second of it" while top sprinter Noah Lyles called her "the best that has ever been".
Actor Kate Winslet said, "I salute you. I champion you and I just applaud great women around the world like you setting wonderful examples for the younger generation."
Results from Are women's World Cup slalom on 11 March 2023 (top 10):
- Mikaela Shiffrin (USA) 1:41.77
- Wendy Holdener (SUI) +0.92
- Anna Swenn Larsson (SWE) +0.95
- Paula Moltzan (USA) +1.54
- Laurence St-Germain (CAN) +1.59
- Lena Duerr (GER) +2.03
- Melanie Meillard (SUI) +2.18
- Leona Popovic (CRO) +2.43
- Ana Bucik (SLO) +2.47
- Cornelia Oehlund (SWE) +2.50
World Cup slalom standings after Are slalom on 11 March 2023
- Mikaela Shiffrin 885 points
- Wendy Holdener 610
- Petra Vlhova 530
World Cup overall standings after Are slalom on 11 March 2023
- Mikaela Shiffrin 2028 points
- Petra Vlhova 1025
- Lara Gut-Behrami 1007