Colorado Snowsports Museum is Proud to Welcome a New Donation: An Atomic Ski Representing Mikaela Shiffrin’s Recent Record-Breaking History
All photos were provided courtesy of the Vail Valley Foundation.
After Mikaela Shiffrin’s “Mikaela87” event in Vail, Eileen Shiffrin, Mikaela’s mother, donated one of the Atomic skis presented to Mikaela at the event to the Colorado Snowsports Museum (CSM). At the event, snow sports athletes presented Mikaela with Atomic skis created for the event – symbolizing each record Mikaela broke in 2023. When each ski was passed on to Mikaela the record she broke was acknowledged. The ski that we received was given to Mikaela by Oksana Masters, representing the “Most Alpine Ski World Cup Wins by Any Skier in History (88).”
“The Colorado Snowsports Museum is thrilled and honored to receive this important piece of contemporary history,” Dana Mathios, Curator and Director of Collections with the CSM, explains enthusiastically. She goes on to say: “A lot of the work that we do deals with preserving history and material culture of the past. Being able to acquire this ski ensures that Mikaela’s important record-breaking history today will be preserved in our collection for generations to come!”
The following is a list of records Mikaela Shiffrin has broken followed by the name of the individual that presented the Atomic ski to Mikaela at the event in Vail, Colorado.
Colorado Snowsports Hall of Famer Renie Gorsuch presenting Mikaela Shiffrin with an Atomic ski.
Most Consecutive Ski Championships with Gold (6)
Renie Gorsuch
Colorado Snowsports Hall of Famer
Highest Alpine Ski World Cup Win Percentage in History (35.3%)
Sarah Will
Colorado Snowsports Hall of Famer
Most Women’s Alpine World Cup Slalom Podiums (76)
Brenda Buglione
Colorado Snowsports Museum Board Member
Most Women’s Alpine Ski World Cup Podiums (138)
Cindy Nelson
Colorado Snowsports Hall of Famer
Oksana Masters presenting Mikaela Shiffrin with her “Most Alpine Ski World Cup Wins by Any Skier in History - 88” Atomic ski.
Most Women's World Cup Slalom Crystal Globes (7)
Karen Lancaster Ghent
1st Skier to Win in Six Alpine Disciplines
Mike Brown
Colorado Snowsports Hall of Famer
Most Women’s Alpine Ski World Cup Giant Slalom Wins (21)
Alice McKennis Duran
Most Alpine Ski World Cup Slalom Wins (53)
Thomas Walsh
Seasoned Colorado Snowsports Annual Award Recipient
Most Alpine Ski World Cup Victories in One Season (17)
Jonny Moseley
Most Alpine Ski World Cup Wins by Any Skier in History (88)
Oksana Masters
The “Mikaela87” celebration in Vail took place on April 2, 2023. Mikaela, of the Vail Valley, is an American alpine skier who, in 2023, became the greatest alpine skier of all time, winning the most World Cup wins of any alpine skier in history. As of this year, she won her 88th World Cup victory and 21st win in giant slalom (GS), moving her one past Swiss great Vreni Schneider to become the all-time leader in GS victories. Mikaela achieved yet another record this past season with her 138th career World Cup podium, moving her one past former teammate Lindsey Vonn.
“The support that I get from Colorado, from this valley, from home — that’s something that drives me throughout the season,” Mikaela Shiffrin said to the crowd at the ceremony. “It has for my entire career.”
Also, at the event, Governor Jared Polis declared March 11, 2023 “Mikaela Shiffrin Day” in the state of Colorado. Shiffrin was also greeted by several town mayors and municipality dignitaries who each brought her unique gifts that were indicative of each town.
The Atomic ski is already on display at the CSM in our “Skiing Through Time” exhibit. Follow this bay around to our Colorado competition display case where you’ll see the ski. The Museum is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm. We invite you to come check it out in person!
