Exclusive: Mikaela Shiffrin can go 'well beyond 86' World Cup wins says Lindsey Vonn, 100 wins 'very possible'

Published 19/01/2023 at 22:28 GMT

American superstar Lindsey Vonn saw her record for the most World Cup wins by a female skier matched by compatriot Mikaela Shiffrin with the latter expected to soon break the record. Speaking to Eurosport ahead of the Kitzbuhel weekend, Vonn told Eurosport that the sky is the limit for Shiffrin, and said that 100 World Cup wins is very much possible.

'What an incredible performance!' - Shiffrin records win number 82

American skiing legend Lindsey Vonn has told Eurosport that compatriot Mikaela Shiffrin can definitely go past 86 World Cup wins and 100 is "very, very possible".

Shiffrin equalled the record of 82 World Cup wins held by Vonn last weekend, drawing level for the most wins ever by a female skier. At 27, Shiffrin is expected to surpass Vonn's record as well the 86 wins of Ingemar Stenmark, the most of any skier.

Vonn is in Austria for the famous Kitzbuhel ski weekend and told Eurosport how impressed she was by Shiffrin.

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“It’s amazing what Mikaela is doing and she’s had an amazing career so far and will continue to have many, many more victories.

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“I think for me my road to 82 has been quite a bit different but I’m happy with what I achieved in my career and I have no regrets. I always skied the best I could and I loved what I did.

“It’s amazing that two Americans, two American women, are one and two on the list.”

She added that for Shiffrin the sky is the limit and no-one can stop her in her quest for victories.

“The only person that can beat Mikaela is Mikaela. There is clearly no other competition and it’s really a matter of her staying her motivated and staying healthy.

“For me staying healthy was always my biggest struggle, it was never a lack of motivation. I think Mikaela has been very smart and tactical in how she approaches every race.

"I have no doubt she can go well, well beyond 86 - 100 is very, very possible."

Maze - Shiffrin can absolutely reach 100 wins

Vonn's quotes echo those of another former skiing superstar, Tina Maze, who now works as an expert for Eurosport.

After Shiffrin reached 82 wins, Maze explained the similarities between her and Vonn, given she raced against both the Americans.

“I will start with Lindsey as we raced together when we were kids in Whistler Cup in Canada.” Maze said.

“I can still remember now clearly her reaction when she didn’t ski as she wanted to, sitting hunched over, disappointed, and I wanted to cheer her up.

“Later on, for many years, it was the opposite, I was the one who was disappointed about my performance, but somehow I managed to get back to the highest level in skiing and have close fights in the World Cup with her.

“When I broke the season record of 2414 points [in the 2013 season], Mikaela was already a presence in the World Cup, but I didn’t properly know her yet.

“She was for me the next ‘very hard to beat American girl’.

“I loved her kindness and focus at the same time. I realised she will be the one who will set the rhythm of skiing for next years.”

In terms of similarities between the pair Maze highlighted the way they are open in how they speak to the media, adding: “They both have this determination, consistency, will to win, a hard-working routine combined with talent, but mostly this open way to media about who they are!”

She also said she’s consistently impressed with the musical talent Shiffrin shows on social media.

Maze said that although “it’s a long journey to get to so many victories and nobody can know for certain, there was definitely something” about a young Shiffrin.

“She was so demanding in her discipline in slalom and I saw this youngster’s will to show different ways of skiing.

“She says dancing on skies and she was challenging all of us with these fresh moves which I was struggling with!”

And can she reach 100 wins?

“Definitely! A great young US tech team will push her there!”

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