Shiffrin win secures ninth reindeer in Levi slalom; 102 career World Cup victories and counting

Stifel expands team and event naming rights from alpine into cross country, freeski, and freestyle disciplines. Photo: courtesy of US Ski and Snowboard

LEVI, Finland — U.S. Ski and Snowboard, based in Park City, reports that on Saturday, at the Audi FIS World Cup slalom opener, the winningest alpine skier of all time, Mikaela Shiffrin, claimed her 102nd World Cup victory, 65th slalom win, and ninth reindeer on the frigid slope in Levi, Finland. Teammate Paula Moltzan landed just shy of the podium in fourth after an impressive second run jump. 

“I trusted the training with my team. We did a lot of work over the summer. The final step was mentality,” Shiffrin said to U.S. Ski & Snowboard. “It is starting to feel more like home. I really enjoy being here, and I am so happy to kick off the slalom season.”  

Annika Hunt, who grew up in Park City, was fortunate enough to make her World Cup debut; unfortunately, however, she ended this one with a DNF (did not finish).

The Stifel U.S. Alpine Ski Team had six strong women leading the charge in the slalom opener. In the first run, Shiffrin annihilated the field by almost a 1.5-second advantage with precise, aggressive skiing. Moltzan was the next best American, landing in 19th for run one, with ample opportunity to move up in run two. 

Teammates Liv Moritz landed in 54th place in the first run – outside the top 30 who advance to run two – while Nina O’Brien and AJ Hurt also DNFed. 

The second run was set by U.S. coach Alek Glebov, with the surface firm and the Finnish sky dark and clear. 

Moltzan, running 11th in the second run, had a great advantage to ski cleanly and aggressively, and move up in the race – and she did. She sat in the leaderboard chair for more than 15 racers until she ultimately ended up just off the podium in fourth place. 

“After a challenging first run I knew I needed to shift into another gear to find a lot of time,” said Moltzan. “I am super happy with my skiing second run, I felt like I was able to make some of my best turns.”

All eyes were on Shiffrin as she set the pace early on with her killer first run. She skied flawlessly and confidently, gaining time at each turn. Shiffrin crossed the line to win by 1.6 seconds and take her 102nd win and 65th slalom win. In Levi, the annual prize for first place includes a live reindeer, and with her ninth win on the Levi track, Shiffrin secured her ninth reindeer. Someone should call up Santa Claus, because he can retire now. 

“Mikaela put on an absolute clinic on how to ski Levi – she continues to impress everyone with her skiing,” said Moltzan.

Young Albanian skier Lara Colturi – who was celebrating her 19th birthday – made up the remainder of the podium in second, with German star Emma Aicher in third. 

With the victory, Shirffrin leads the overall World Cup standings, with Moltzan in second. 

The next women’s slalom will be in Gurgl in just over a week. On Sunday, Nov. 16, the men took on the Levi slalom track on Sunday where Colorado’s Cooper Pucket picked up his first World Cup points in quick order finishing 26th, out of the 69th start position.