The Sun Valley slopes buzzed with anticipation as Mikaela Shiffrin carved her way to her 101st World Cup victory, a milestone that felt like destiny. The crowd was going wild, especially on home snow, with the whole #MIK100 celebration for her incredible career. You even had adorable little girls running around dressed as Dalmatians, a sweet nod to her record-breaking achievements. It felt like a party, right? But behind that champion’s smile, Shiffrin was navigating some serious pressure. It wasn’t just about another win.

She actually spilled the beans on Instagram later, saying, “Most people didn’t really realize that the pressure wasn’t entirely off.” It turns out, there was this whole complicated, “funky” thing with World Cup points and start numbers. The short version? Nailing 500 overall points for the season was a massive deal for her, especially to lock in a better start number for Giant Slalom next year. Coming off a life-threatening injury, “That was a really big goal for me,” she admitted. So, this race had an extra layer of urgency.

Chatting about it in her “Moving Right Along” series, Shiffrin shared how much that Sun Valley atmosphere pumped her up. “The crowd, the fans, the entire atmosphere—was so inspiring, and I really tried to take that inspiration and run with it,” she said. That #MIK100 event, bringing the whole women’s team together, really created a special vibe. Still, that 500-point target was always there, pushing her.

And those little Dalmatian-clad fans? They were more than just cute. For Shiffrin, “inspiring the next generation means far more to me than resetting records themselves.” That genuine connection clearly helped her lock in, conquer the pressure, hit that 500-point mark, and grab the victory. After the whirlwind, she jetted off to New York for a media tour, then on to Innsbruck to reunite with her fiancé, Aleks – a pretty sweet ending to a demanding season. Now, with the Olympic year ahead, you can bet she’s already thinking about what’s next!

Shiffrin recently joined NWSL Denver’s Ownership Group

Mikaela Shiffrin, the skiing superstar we all know—two Olympic golds, an astounding 101 World Cup victories—is carving a brand new line! Just this May, the Vail native announced she’s joined the ownership group of Denver’s new National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) team, set to kick off in 2026. For Shiffrin, who has dominated every alpine skiing discipline, this jump into women’s soccer ownership feels like a heartfelt return to her Colorado roots.

“I’m beyond thrilled,” Shiffrin said, genuinely excited to be back “something so meaningful in the community I call home.” She’s pumped about Colorado’s rich sports scene and, especially, the amazing rise of women’s sports. It’s a cool move, echoing other stars investing in the NWSL.

Denver’s team, the league’s 16th, is already making bold plays. The ownership group even announced plans for a new downtown stadium, a rarity designed just for women’s soccer. With Shiffrin bringing her champion’s spirit and star power, the Mile High City’s new soccer chapter is definitely one to watch!

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