With a whopping 89 victories to her name, Mikaela Shiffrin, the five-time women’s overall winner, and reigning champion, is preparing to start her 2023-2024 alpine skiing World Cup campaign on 28 October in Soelden, Austria. Shiffrin, often referred to as the ‘GOAT’ – the Greatest Of All Time – is all set to extend her phenomenal record in the World Cup and is back in training following an incredibly successful season.
Shiffrin’s Preparations Underway at Copper Mountain, Colorado
Shiffrin, who hails from Colorado, has returned to the snow at Copper Mountain for off-season training, marking her first time back on North American snow since the end of last season. Copper Mountain, currently closed to the public, offers training opportunities for Olympic and professional athletes. The ski racer also had an extended vacation in Hawaii with boyfriend and fellow ski racer Aleksander Aamodt Kilde before beginning her preparations for the next season.
Her dominant performance last season was a testament to her grit and determination. Shiffrin surpassed Ingemar Stenmark’s long-standing record for the most World Cup wins in history, further securing her status as the winningest skier of all time. Her return to the slopes has been eagerly anticipated by fans and fellow athletes alike.
A Look at the 2023/2024 World Cup Season
The alpine skiing World Cup season will see some changes in its calendar. The opening event in the Austrian resort will be held one week later than in previous years after warm conditions affected the 2022 edition. The women’s speed season is scheduled to kick off on 18 November with the inaugural transnational downhill between Zermatt (Switzerland) and Cervinia (Italy).
Key highlights of the season include:
- Shiffrin is expected to compete in front of her home crowd on 25-26 November in Killington (Vermont), the only stop in the US on the women’s calendar.
- Canada will host two giant slaloms at Mont Tremblant, Quebec, on 2-3 December.
- The season will come to a close at the World Cup Finals in Saalbach (Austria), over two weekends: 16-17 and 22-24 March.
- A total of 44 individual races are scheduled across various disciplines.
- The introduction of a new event, the team combined, where technical and speed skiers from one country will compete together.
Shiffrin Chasing Records in the 2023/2024 Season
In a season without World Championships, Shiffrin will be focused on further increasing her World Cup tally. Will she be able to break the record for most wins (17) in a season set in 2018/19? With the ski racer’s relentless determination and fierce competitiveness, it wouldn’t be surprising to witness more record-breaking performances this season. Check out her incredible journey here.
Looking Forward to the 2023/2024 World Cup Season
As Shiffrin prepares for the forthcoming season, the skiing world looks on with bated breath. Fans across the globe are eagerly awaiting her performances, hoping to see her surpass her own high standards and achieve new records.
Just as she has done throughout her career, Mikaela Shiffrin continues to set the bar higher for future generations of skiers. As she trains in preparation for another stellar season, one thing is certain: the world will be watching.
