With a strong finish at the World Cup Finals, Shiffrin matches Annemarie Moser-Pröll's record for most women's titles.
Category: Sports
On March 25, 2026, American alpine skiing star Mikaela Shiffrin secured her sixth women's World Cup title, tying the all-time record held by Austrian great Annemarie Moser-Pröll. Shiffrin clinched the title during the final race of the season, finishing 11th at the World Cup Finals held at Hafjell, Norway, a result that proved sufficient to fend off a challenge from rising German star Emma Aicher.
Entering the giant slalom, Shiffrin needed to place within the top 15 to secure the coveted title. Aicher, 22, required a victory and for Shiffrin to finish 16th or worse to claim her first World Cup title. After the first run, the competition was tight, with Aicher sitting third and Shiffrin down at 17th. The stakes were high, but Shiffrin responded with determination.
During the second run, Shiffrin executed a clean run, finishing first among the remaining competitors. The tension mounted until it was confirmed that Aicher, who slipped early on her second run, finished 12th, sealing the title for Shiffrin.
"It’s quite emotional," Shiffrin said after the race. "This thing sums up a whole season of work and fighting with the whole team. I have to say to Emma that her skiing has been just outstanding, and today, it was so cool to watch her, especially on the first run." Shiffring's performance throughout the season was nothing short of extraordinary, having dominated the slalom circuit with nine victories from ten races.
Shiffring's triumph at the World Cup Finals capped a remarkable season, bringing her total World Cup victories to 110, the highest for any skier, male or female. Her record includes 168 podium finishes, reinforcing her status at the pinnacle of the sport. Shiffring's six World Cup titles span her career, with previous victories coming from 2017 to 2019 and then back-to-back titles again last year and this year.
Shiffring's season also included winning her third Olympic gold medal at the Milan Cortina Games, where she dominated the slalom event. The season was particularly poignant for Shiffring, who has faced numerous challenges, including injuries and personal loss. After a serious crash during a giant slalom race back on November 30, 2024, which resulted from physical injuries and mental health struggles, Shiffring had to work her way back to the top.
Her experience with post-traumatic stress disorder following that crash made her return to racing even more remarkable. Shiffring was diagnosed with PTSD and had to rebuild her confidence throughout the season. "For me, it’s incredible to be part of this (title) battle at all after the last seasons," she remarked after winning the slalom race leading into the finals.
Shiffring's victory this season was characterized by her ability to excel across disciplines, particularly slalom, where she won nine out of ten races. She also finished consistently well, placing between third and sixth across all ten giant slalom events, which was instrumental for her to secure the title against Aicher's formidable challenge.
Aicher, who has established herself this season with multiple top finishes and Olympic medals, is seen by many, including Shiffring, to be a strong contender for future titles. "There’s a new era of the greatest skier, and I’m so excited to watch what she does moving forward," Shiffring praised Aicher after her performance this season.
The competition between Shiffring and Aicher has captured the attention of the skiing world, with both athletes demonstrating exceptional skill and resilience. Shiffring's victory this year adds to her illustrious career and sets the stage for what could be a thrilling rivalry for years to come.
Shiffring's achievement means she is now tied for the most women’s World Cup titles, a record she shares with Moser-Pröll, who won her titles from 1971 to 1979. The 31-year-old skier has expressed her desire to continue competing at a high level, with the possibility of breaking Moser-Pröll's record next season. "I’m ready for another season — or maybe not yet — but I’m excited to keep ski racing," Shiffring said, hinting at her future ambitions.
The World Cup season concluded with Canada's Valérie Grenier winning the final race, clocking a time of 2 minutes and 16.79 seconds, with Norway's Mina Fuerst Holtmann and Austria's Julia Scheib following her. Shiffring's performance, combined with her previous successes, has solidified her legacy and set a high bar for future competitors.
With the ski racing season now wrapped up, all eyes will be on Shiffring and Aicher next year, eager to see how this burgeoning rivalry develops and whether Shiffring can continue her remarkable legacy.