💸 COPPER MOUNTAIN, CO — American Alpine Ski Racing superstar Mikaela Shiffrin experienced a weekend of extreme highs and a minor financial low at the Stifel Copper Cup presented by United Airlines. While the two-time Olympic gold medalist secured her historic 104th World Cup victory and extended her record for slalom wins on home snow (her 67th career slalom title) on Sunday, November 30, her dominance was accompanied by an unexpected penalty: a fine from the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS).
Shiffrin was sanctioned for arriving late to the mandatory pre-race bib draw on Saturday, November 29, an unusual mishap at a venue just 30 minutes from her Colorado home.
The Strict Rule of Rule 9.4
The penalty stems from a strict technical regulation governing the public spectacle of the starting number draw. According to FIS Rule 9.4 of the World Cup regulations, participation is compulsory for the top 15 ranked athletes in the technical disciplines (Slalom and Giant Slalom). This rule mandates that these athletes check in on time for the public draw at a fixed time defined by the official daily program.
A failure to comply without an official, accepted excuse triggers an automatic financial penalty. The fine pronounced against Shiffrin was the standard amount for a first offense: 999 Swiss Francs (CHF).
Based on current exchange rates, this fine is the equivalent of approximately $1,242.48 in U.S. dollars.
The Unexpected Tardy
FIS media coordinator Viviane Tonoli confirmed the penalty, stating that Shiffrin “appeared too late for the starting number draw for the World Cup Slalom of Copper Mountain.”
The reason behind the tardiness, according to reports, was surprisingly common: Shiffrin reportedly lost her way while traveling from her hotel to the venue at Copper Mountain. Despite the confusion, Shiffrin arrived in time for the race itself, but the public draw rules are rigid and unforgiving.
For a repeat offense under Rule 9.4, the fine is significantly increased to CHF 5,000, and could lead to sporting consequences, such as receiving the last available bib number within the top group. However, as this was Shiffrin’s first offense, she received the minimum sanction.
Minimal Financial Impact, Maximum Scrutiny
The financial impact of the fine is minimal for Shiffrin, who earned substantial prize money from her weekend performance, but the incident serves as a rare, public blemish on a career defined by surgical precision. It highlights the stringent adherence to protocol required at the elite level of World Cup Skiing, where even the smallest deviation from schedule can result in a penalty for the sport’s biggest star.
The attention surrounding the fine further reinforces Shiffrin’s status as the most watched athlete in Alpine Ski Racing. Even an administrative lapse like getting lost on the way to a bib draw becomes international news when the Overall World Cup leader is involved. Shiffrin, who thrilled thousands of Colorado fans with her record-extending victory, will now continue her pursuit of a record-breaking Overall Crystal Globe with a minor note in her competitive history.