Mikaela Shiffrin continues to etch her name into skiing history, achieving yet another milestone on Sunday by securing her 156th career podium finish. The American skiing sensation claimed third place in the slalom event in Åre, Sweden, surpassing the previous record set by legendary Swedish skier Ingemar Stenmark, who dominated the sport during the 1970s and 1980s.
With this latest accomplishment, Shiffrin now holds the record for the most World Cup podium finishes of all time. This feat adds to her already illustrious career, coming shortly after she became the first downhill skier to reach 100 World Cup victories. Reflecting on her ever-expanding list of achievements, the 29-year-old acknowledged the challenge of keeping track of the numerous records she has set.
“There are so many discussions about different numbers,” Shiffrin remarked following the race, as quoted by the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS). Despite the historic nature of the achievement, she remains focused on continuous improvement and future competitions.
Shiffrin led the first run of the slalom event, recording the fastest time in the field. However, a challenging second run saw her finish in 25th place, ultimately securing third position overall. Austria’s Katharina Truppe capitalized on the opportunity, claiming her maiden World Cup title with an impressive performance.
Reflecting on her race, Shiffrin expressed a sense of satisfaction despite the setback in her second run. “I feel pretty good about it,” she stated. “In challenging conditions, you have to be so precise. It can be difficult to ski with aggression when there is no margin for error.”
Sunday’s race marked only the fifth slalom event Shiffrin has competed in since sustaining a serious injury in November. A crash left her with a puncture wound to her abdomen and severe muscle trauma, forcing her to take a break from competition and endure a difficult recovery process.
The aftermath of the injury has been both physically and mentally taxing. Shiffrin recently withdrew from the giant slalom event at the world championships, citing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a lingering effect of her fall. The psychological impact has been evident in her return to competitive skiing.
Discussing her struggles, Shiffrin shared her experience with CNN’s Coy Wire, explaining how her recovery process has been fraught with challenges. “When we got over to Europe and I started to really engage in giant slalom intensity, I experienced a mind-body disconnect,” she explained. “I was instructing myself to execute technical moves, but my body simply wasn’t responding. It felt like a battle between my instincts and my conscious efforts—a fight-or-flight response warning me of danger. This journey has been a whirlwind for both me and my team.”
Despite these obstacles, Shiffrin remains an indomitable force in the world of alpine skiing. With her resilience and determination, she continues to push the boundaries of the sport, solidifying her status as one of the greatest skiers of all time.