Some 50 members – representing a wide spectrum of nations across Europe – comprise the proud, colorful, and happy wandering Shiffrin Fan Club

Shouting their loudest during races, exhibiting great emotion and unconditional support, and even dressing up as American superheroes for a parade, the Mikaela Shiffrin Fan Club caused quite a stir in Sölden.

Fifteen ardent supporters from the 50-member, predominantly European-based Mikaela Shiffrin Fan Club, were representing at the season-opening weekend in Austria. Shiffrin’s Fan Club is diverse in scope with members from Austria, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Poland, Luxembourg, and the U.S., among other nations.

Gina Salevsky, 24, from Zschoupau, Germany, is one of the club’s most active participants and organizers. Mikaela never ceases to inspire her.

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“It’s so, so cool to support such an amazing ski racer like Mikaela, and not only a ski racer, but mainly a nice human being,” Salevsky tells Ski Racing Media.

“It’s very nice to be part of such a wonderful group of people, especially with all of the hate going on in the world with the wars. We are a perfect example of people from many different countries, nationalities and religions with one purpose – to support Mikaela,” she said.

Valeria Ercolini, 36, a native of Luxembourg, started the Shiffrin Fan Club in 2019.

“Just four years ago, even though being the greatest skier of all-time, Mikaela didn’t have an organized fan base,” Ercolini said. “So, the idea to create the fan club was to give Mikaela what she deserved – a real fan club with people traveling to races to support her. 

“We are a large group from all over the world, united by the passion for skiing and for Mikaela, a passion without borders.”

Rockin’ the Sölden Fan Club Parade

Team MIKI captivated the crowds at the annual Saturday afternoon Fan Club Parade in Sölden. The ladies dressed as ‘Supergirls’ and the men in ‘Captain America’ costumes, while marching alongside a GOAT to honor the five-time overall World Cup champion. Like Shiffrin, the group sported Barilla hats. The Shiffrin Fan Club dazzled, winning second place and a €500 prize.

“Mikaela is our Supergirl – she is doing things that nobody has done before, so our goal was to share some Supergirl and Captain America power with the people,” said Julia Bachmann, a 26-year-old Austrian fan. “We wanted to spread some magic like Mikaela’s dancing between the gates!”

“To be honest, we really rocked it at the parade,” said Sebastian Stroblmair, a 27-year-old fan, also from Austria. “It was cool reaching second place. But what was even cooler, was that I really think we made Miki proud.”

Shiffrin commended her fan club via Instagram Stories after their top result in Sölden, in the resort that she herself has taken top honors twice.

“Congrats to the best fan club in the world (@shiffrinfans) for snagging second in the fan club parade! Thank you so much for your otherworldly support,” Shiffrin wrote.

Salevsky said the €500 winnings will be spent wisely – to buy new and improved Shiffrin banners to display at races.

Shiffrin also gave major props to her devoted followers, in a note to Ski Racing Media.

“I am so thankful to have what feels like the most incredible, supportive, kind fan club throughout the years – they have been by my side through the highs and lows of my career. They never fail to leave a smile on my face,” Shiffrin noted. 

Warm and Meaningful Encounters

Salevsky also oversees the Shiffrin Fans Instagram account, which boasts nearly 25,000 followers. She is constantly brainstorming to create cool videos and posting other fun nuggets. Check it out – a recent post highlights the fan club’s vibrancy and revelry at the recent parade.

The highly devoted German fan – who first met Shiffrin at a race in Cortina d’Ampezzo, in 2017 – says the American ski racer has always been a big source of inspiration. And especially during a difficult time personally.

“I was feeling so bad that I actually wasn’t able to go to a ski race for a few years, but during this time I saw Mikaela as such a good role model, helping me to remain motivated, and get healthy again,” Salevsky said. “I wouldn’t be who I am without her.”

Shiffrin reciprocates the gratitude, meeting with the fan club and chatting at races and awards ceremonies, as often as possible.

“One of my favorite moments was last season in Andorra where we were able to hold her overall and all crystal globes. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I’m still dreaming about it,” Salevsky said, with emotion in her voice.  

Bachmann added her perspective. “After Mikaela finished the photo shoot, she came over with all her globes and said: ‘Do you wanna hold them?’ At that moment, Mikaela made our childhood dreams came true.”

“She’s so down to earth, so nice and such a humble person,” Salevsky says, about the popular athlete. “Every time we meet, my hope is to get to know Mikaela not as a ski racer, but as a human being.”

New Races, New Excitement for the Fan Club

No doubt, the entire club cheered loudly from their homes this past weekend as Shiffrin secured her inaugural 2023-24 victory in Levi, Finland.

Next stop for the passionate fan club – St. Moritz, Switzerland, for December speed races. It is a venue where Shiffrin sped to her fifth career super-G victory last winter. Others will be cheering vociferously, in front of their TV’s and computers.

The Shiffrin Fan Club is always amped to do everything in their collective power to help push Shiffrin forward. This season, the Colorado skiing star is on the verge of more records: a potential record-tying sixth overall World Cup title and eighth slalom globe, which would equal Ingemar Stenmark. Additionally, Shiffrin can become the first World Cup racer in history, male or female, to win at least one race across 12 consecutive seasons.  

As usual, there is lots to cheer about. But, for some, there is deeper motivation. 

“For us, it’s not about Mikaela’s record and numbers: we support her because she is a kind, down-to-earth person,” Salevsky says. “If she is happy with her ski racing, then we’re happy too.

“We show our unconditional support because she is the best role model one could ever ask for.”

Follow Brian on Instagram – brian.pinelli