Ahead of the eighth edition of the Killington Cup this weekend, Mikaela Shiffrin is looking to make history again.

The 29-year-old Shiffrin has 99 World Cup victories after her slalom victory in last week’s event in Gurgl, Austria. Now, as the Cup circuit makes its annual trip to the Vermont ski area, the former Burke Mountain Academy racer has a chance to reach 100 in front of his home crowd.

“I guess it’s not impossible, but so much has to happen,” Shiffrin said after the win in Austria. “From the outside it looks easy, or it looks like it’s supposed to happen. But it takes so much energy – even today – to bring out my top skiing, so it’s certainly not easy.”

Shiffrin is already the all-time World Cup victories leader, having surpassed legendary Swede Ingemar Stenmark’s previous mark (86). In slalom victories alone, Shiffrin would be fifth on the list with 62. In 2024 she won slalom races in Levi, Finland and Gurgl.

Although it’s comparatively rare for Shiffrin and the U.S. ski team to race in front of home fans – most events take place in Europe – she doesn’t feel any strain.

“I guess there’s a little bit of pressure, but I’ll try to ignore that,” she said. “Anyway, if it happens, it’s wonderful. If it doesn’t happen, there’s nothing to complain about on the whole. But I hope to deliver a really good performance in front of my home crowd.”

As for the crowd, it is expected to be large and loud once again. In previous editions, fans have received praise from racers (including those who don’t ski for the USA). Since its first event in 2016, the race weekend has attracted up to 40,000 spectators every year.

“I really love Killington. I think the atmosphere here is really special,” said Italian skier Marta Bassino in 2022.

Although there was some uncertainty about the future of the Killington Cup after the 2023 edition, when the agreement with the World Cup expired, organizers worked to reinstate it for another year.

For many, the draw is a chance to see a great in person. And Shiffrin delivered. In the seven slaloms in Killington so far, she has won six times. She has also been on the podium three times in the giant slalom, but is still aiming for an elusive first GS victory in Killington.

In addition to Shiffrin, part of the event’s popularity is due to its timing around a holiday. The Killington Cup will once again take place on Thanksgiving weekend (with giant slalom on Saturday and slalom on Sunday). For those unable to attend, the second rounds will be broadcast each day on NBC and Peacock.

The race will once again be held on Killington’s “Superstar” course, which recently received a “positive snow control,” meaning official approval from World Cup organizers.

Beyond their superstardom, the U.S. women’s team has had some strong results in 2024. At the season-opening giant slalom in Sölden, Austria, in October, four Americans finished in the top 11. It was one of the best team results in decades. Katie Hensien (fourth) and Nina O’Brien (seventh) returned from their injuries in style.

“It was a really great start,” said American alpine skier Paula Moltzan in a recent interview.

Moltzan, who won an NCAA slalom title for the University of Vermont, is also off to a good start. After finishing 11th in Sölden, she achieved two top 10 placements in the slalom in a row. She praised Hensien and O’Brien.

“These girls made an incredible comeback after their injury,” Moltzan said. “They were both out for a whole year and to come back to Soelden and both be in the top 10 is pretty crazy.”

Schedule for the World Cup in Killington

TV: Premiering daily on OutsideTV; second runs on NBC and Peacock

Giant slalom on Saturday: Run 1, 10 a.m.; Run 2 p.m., 1 p.m

Slalom on Sunday: Run 1, 10 a.m.; Run 2 p.m., 1 p.m

Hayden Bird can be reached at [email protected].