Mikaela Shiffrin’s Quest for 100th Victory Highlights Broadcasting Woes in US Skiing.
Mikaela Shiffrin, the two-time Olympic champion, stands on the cusp of a remarkable milestone in alpine ski racing. With 99 wins under her belt, Shiffrin is poised to clinch her 100th victory, potentially on home soil in Killington, Vermont.
This historical moment, however, has highlighted a pressing issue in American skiing: the fragmented broadcasting landscape that hinders fan access to the sport.
The Road to 100
Shiffrin’s journey to this milestone has been nothing short of extraordinary. Her upcoming races on November 30 and December 1 in Killington hold special significance, as the Vermont resort is not only on her home turf but also where she studied at Burke Academy. With a record for the most victories at this venue, Shiffrin’s chances of making history in front of a home crowd are promising.
Broadcasting Challenges
Despite the excitement surrounding Shiffrin’s potential achievement, a significant problem looms over the sport in the United States. Alpine skiing’s broadcasting is highly fragmented, making it difficult for fans to follow the action consistently. The US Ski & Snowboard team’s recent announcement of decentralized World Cup broadcast rights has exacerbated the situation.
Shiffrin has expressed frustration with this situation, stating, “It may not be the ideal situation because broadcast rights for our sport are not yet centralized.” This fragmentation affects current fans and hinders the sport’s growth potential in the US market.
Passionate Fans, Limited Access
Shiffrin does not lose sight of the irony of the situation. She notes the stark contrast between Europe, where skiing fandom is deeply ingrained, and the United States, where passionate fans struggle to access content. Shiffrin admires the dedication of American fans, who often sacrifice sleep to watch races in the middle of the night due to the lack of prime-time events in the US.
A Shared Concern
Shiffrin is not alone in her concerns. Lindsey Vonn, a legendary figure in alpine skiing and Shiffrin’s former teammate has long advocated for better exposure to the sport in the US. Vonn pointedly remarked, “Right now in the United States, you really can’t watch ski racing, which is crazy… We can only watch Austrian races, and it’s only on one channel at three in the morning”.
The Path Forward
Shiffrin and Vonn emphasize the need for a collective effort to improve the sport’s exposure and reach a wider audience. They argue that while a vision for global success exists, more concrete action is required to make it a reality.
Shiffrin’s Milestone in Perspective
As Shiffrin approaches her potential 100th victory, her achievements are put into context:
- She has won 62 slalom races, an unrivaled record in any alpine discipline.
- Only three skiers have more career wins across all disciplines: Ingemar Stenmark (86), Lindsey Vonn (82), and Marcel Hirscher (67).
- Shiffrin is among a few skiers who have won in all alpine disciplines.
- She is on the verge of equaling Stenmark’s record of 155 podium finishes.
The Road Ahead
As the skiing world turns its attention to Killington, Shiffrin remains cautious about reaching the 100-win mark, acknowledging the many factors that must align for success. Regardless of when she achieves this milestone, the broader conversation about improving skiing’s accessibility and popularity in the United States continues.
The juxtaposition of Shiffrin’s potential historic achievement against the backdrop of broadcasting challenges highlights a critical juncture for alpine skiing in America.
As the sport looks to capitalize on moments like these, addressing these fundamental issues of access and exposure will be crucial for its future growth and success in the United States.