Mikaela Shiffrin reveals names of two reindeer she won at Levi - ‘There should always be a little sunshine'

Published 21/11/2022 at 12:16 GMT

It was the perfect opening weekend for Mikaela Shiffrin as she won both of the slalom races in Levi, Finland. And in accordance with how the meet operates in Levi she won two more reindeer, taking her collection to six in total. On Sunday evening the American star revealed the names of the new reindeer, with one being named in memory of her father, and the other after new team-mate Ava Sunshine.

'Absolutely brilliant!' - Shiffrin makes it two from two in Levi with brilliant performance

American superstar Mikaela Shiffrin has revealed the names of the two reindeer she won in Levi over the weekend.

For those who are not aware, the winner of the slalom World Cup events in the Finnish resort is awarded a reindeer. The resort is in Finnish Lapland.

Don’t get too excited though, the skiers don’t get to take the reindeer home, instead they are looked after by the resort and they can visit whenever they like.

Levi

Shiffrin records second win of Levi weekend, moves closer to Stenmark record

20/11/2022 at 14:34

Over the weekend Shiffrin won both slalom races to cap off a perfect start to the new season. It also took her tally of reindeers from four to six.

The previous reindeers were called Rudolph (2013), Sven (2016), Mr Gru (2018) and Ingemar (2019). The first three are fairly self-explanatory. The fourth was so named because she had just passed the legendary Ingemar Stenmark’s record for the most slalom wins.

'Bit of a boogie in finish area!' - Shiffrin storms to first Slalom win of season

We now know the names of the two reindeer Shiffrin won over the weekend.

Writing on Twitter, Shiffrin revealed the one she won on Saturday would be called “Sunny” after her new US skiing team-mate Ava Sunshine, who became the first American since Brennan Rubie in 2012 to score points on their World Cup debut. The reindeer from Sunday was named Lorax” after her late father Jeff and her entire extended family who have supported her since his passing.

“Not gonna lie… this was not expected, but I’m so grateful. I couldn’t wish for a better start to the season.” Shiffrin wrote on Twitter.

“As for the reindeer names - For tonight, the name is 'Lorax' in honour of my Dad and in extension my whole family, and who have taught me, supported and encouraged me, and have been my lifeline for these last years since he passed.

“Our little buddy from last night will be named “Sunny" (short for Sunshine) in honour of Ava’s spectacular first World Cup race and also because there should always be a little sunshine in Levi.

"Levi, thank you for these wonderful memories. Congrats to Anna [Swenn Larsson], Wendy Holdener, and Petra [Vlhova] as well - it was a fight this weekend and it will be all season!”

Shiffrin is now two reindeer away from having as many as Santa Claus. That might be just as important as getting to the records of Lindsey Vonn and Ingemar Stenmark.

LEVI, FINLAND - NOVEMBER 20: Mikaela Shiffrin of Team United States takes 1st place during the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Women's Slalom on November 20, 2022 in Levi, Finland. (Photo by Christophe Pallot/Agence Zoom/Getty Images)

Image credit: Getty Images

- -

Stream the 2022-23 Alpine Skiing season live on Eurosport and discovery+

Levi