Mikaela Shiffrin Sets World Cup Podiums Record with Third-Place Finish in Slalom Behind Katharina Truppe’s Stunning Victory

In another landmark moment in her legendary career, American alpine skiing star Mikaela Shiffrin etched her name even deeper into the sport’s history books by securing a record-breaking World Cup podium finish. Shiffrin placed third in the women’s slalom event, which was dramatically won by Austria’s Katharina Truppe. This third-place result marked the 139th World Cup podium of Shiffrin’s career, surpassing the previous record held by Swedish icon Ingemar Stenmark, who retired with 138 podiums.

Held under challenging conditions, the race unfolded with intensity, as skiers from around the globe vied for one of the season’s most coveted slalom titles. While much attention was naturally on Shiffrin and her pursuit of yet another milestone, it was Katharina Truppe who emerged as the unexpected victor of the day. This win marked her first-ever World Cup victory, making her breakthrough moment all the more remarkable. With a combination of speed, precision, and flawless technique across both runs, Truppe delivered a career-defining performance that stunned the alpine community.

Slovakia’s Petra Vlhová, a longtime rival and friend of Shiffrin, claimed the second spot on the podium. Her performance was consistent and strong, though ultimately just shy of catching the surging Truppe. Shiffrin, despite a slight mistake on her second run, maintained the composure and technical prowess that has come to define her career, enough to clinch third place and thus make skiing history once again.

Shiffrin’s achievement is nothing short of extraordinary. At just 30 years old, she has now stood on the World Cup podium more times than any skier in the sport’s history. Her record includes victories and podiums across all alpine disciplines—slalom, giant slalom, super-G, downhill, and combined—demonstrating a versatility and dominance unmatched in the modern era. Since her World Cup debut in 2011 at the age of 15, Shiffrin has continuously rewritten the records, becoming the winningest female skier and now the most decorated podium finisher of all time.

Reflecting on the moment, Shiffrin expressed a mix of humility and gratitude. “To be up here with these incredible athletes and to reach a milestone like this is surreal,” she said in a post-race interview. “I’ve grown up watching and idolizing skiers like Ingemar Stenmark. To even be mentioned in the same breath as him is an honor I never imagined when I first put on skis.”

For the sport of alpine skiing, Shiffrin’s consistency and longevity at the top level are nothing short of inspiring. Her ability to remain among the elite over more than a decade—despite injuries, personal loss, and fierce competition—is a testament to her mental toughness, relentless work ethic, and deep love for the sport.

Katharina Truppe’s victory also sends a powerful message to the field: perseverance pays off. After years of near-misses and supporting roles within Austria’s strong women’s team, her triumph signals a new chapter for the 28-year-old skier. With this win, Truppe not only joins the ranks of World Cup winners but also boosts her confidence heading into the remainder of the season.

As the World Cup season continues, all eyes will remain on Shiffrin—not just for her results, but for the legacy she continues to build. With records seemingly falling every few weeks, her impact on skiing transcends numbers. She is redefining what’s possible in a sport that demands not only skill and speed, but enduring mental strength.

Whether she continues to win or not, Mikaela Shiffrin has secured her place in history. But if this season is any indication, she’s not finished yet.