Mikaela Shiffrin celebrated her emotional 100th World Cup victory in Sestriere, Italy, becoming the first downhill skier to hit this milestone while simultaneously tying the all-time record for podium finishes—pass the tissue!

Shiffrin's landmark win not only marks her impressive entry into the centennial club of ski victories but also showcases her resilience after overcoming significant injuries and emotional hurdles over the past year. By securing her 100th win and tying Ingemar Stenmark's long-standing podium record with 155 finishes, Shiffrin cements her status as a skiing legend, reminding us all that even when life cuts you down, a victory lap is just a steep slope away.

On February 23, 2025, Mikaela Shiffrin conquered the women's slalom event in Sestriere, Italy, finishing an impressive 0.61 seconds ahead of second-place Zrinka Ljutić. Paula Moltzan secured third place, but let's be honest, most of the buzz was all about Shiffrin. The crowd erupted as she crossed the finish line, and who could blame them? 100 wins (and counting) is a milestone that few can claim to have reached, much like finding a sock that matches the one you picked out in the morning.

Overwhelmed by the moment, Shiffrin shed tears of joy during the celebration. Ripping the center of attention from her ski poles, she gave her goggles a solid workout, proving that in addition to her athletic prowess, she possesses the sensitivity of a rom-com protagonist during the peak plot twist. In her post-race interview, she expressed heartfelt gratitude toward her supporters, teammates, competitors, and fans. If you were hoping for a humble-brag session, you might want to look elsewhere—Shiffrin’s authenticity was, as always, delightful to behold.

But Shiffrin's journey to 100 was less a smooth glide down the slope and more of a series of navigational errors on a treacherous ski path. The year before this momentous win, she faced quite a few challenges, including injuries from a harrowing crash in November. It left her with a puncture wound to her abdomen and severe muscle trauma—akin to the ski version of trying to do a handstand during a tornado. And as if that wasn’t enough, she battled PTSD which forced her to withdraw from a giant slalom event just earlier this month—a stark reminder that the slopes can be as cruel as they are exhilarating.

There was no shortage of determination as Shiffrin made her way back to competition after those injuries. Her commitment paid off after a few months of recovery and self-discovery—tracks were reshaped, and speed was regained. Before her **big one-oh-oh**, her last win had been a tantalizing taste of triumph in a slalom at Gurgl, Austria, three months prior. It appears that such a prolonged wait for victory only intensified the sentiment surrounding her 100th.

Remarkably, this achievement also helped her tie the all-time World Cup record for the most podium finishes, having hit 155 moments of glory. One can only imagine that the celebratory dinner for this occasion must have been less about the entrees and more about the memorable speeches, awkwardly wondering how many times one can toast to podiums without sounding repetitive.

As the first downhill skier to reach this grand milestone, Shiffrin’s record-breaking story isn’t just a ski tale—it's an illustration of tireless determination, unshakeable focus, and yes, probably an unreasonable number of warm-up stretches. Surpassing Stenmark's previous winning record of 86 in March 2023 feels like a lifetime ago, but it only puts her current triumph into sharper perspective. Stenmark better get out his safety gear because with Shiffrin around, that podium might see some serious crosswinds.

At the end of an eventful day, Mikaela Shiffrin has reminded us why she’s been a force to reckon with in the skiing world. Just like any good sport, it’s not just about the numbers; it's about the stories behind them, the tears shed, the laughter shared, and the determination demonstrated. So grab your ski gear and get ready to book some lessons—because if Shiffrin can chase her dreams down a frozen hill, maybe there's still hope for the rest of us in pursuit of far less monumental accomplishments.

For now, we can only watch from the sidelines—hopefully with a bucket of popcorn—as this skiing icon continues to slice through the competition and defy expectations. And who knows? With every subsequent race, she might not just add to her win count but continue crafting a legacy that makes the slopes feel just that much steeper for those who dare to follow in her tracks.