Mikaela Shiffrin kicked of the 2025/2026 FIS Alpine World Cup season with a bang, claiming 1st place at the first slalom event in Finland. With her win at the Levi World Cup, Shiffrin has secured her 9th reindeer, as winners at the event are awarded their very own to name.
Shiffrin’s previous 8 reindeer have had a variety of names, with the first in 2013 being aptly named “Rudolph”. In 2016, “Sven” joined the pack, followed by “Mr. Gru” in the 2018/19 season. Her fourth, coming in 2019, was named “Ingemar” after the legendary Ingemar Stenmark. The next two reindeer came within a week at a double header in 2022, the first being named “Sunny” and the second being named “Lorax”, in honor of her father.
Her 7th reindeer, coming in 2023, was given the name “Grogu”, and in 2024, “Rori” (short for Aurora Borealis) joined. For her 2025 win and 9th reindeer, Shiffrin decided to honor her mother Eileen. The 9th reindeer is now named “Winkie”, after her mom’s childhood nickname.
Don’t worry, the winners aren’t expected to take their reindeer home and take care of them (that we probably be more of a burden than a prize, especially after winning 9). Instead, the reindeer stay in their home country and live at the Ounaskievari Reindeer Farm.
Congrats to Mikaela Shiffrin on her 9th reindeer and 102nd World Cup Win!
