Mikaela Shiffrin meets her reindeer after winning the women's slalom event at the Alpine Skiing World Cup in Levi, Finland.
Mikaela Shiffrin meets her reindeer after winning the women's slalom event at the Alpine Skiing World Cup in Levi, Finland.
MARTTI KAINULAINEN/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Shiffrin has had a dominant start to the 2016-17 season. She tops the overall standings, 80 points clear of her nearest rival, Lara Gut.
Shiffrin has had a dominant start to the 2016-17 season. She tops the overall standings, 80 points clear of her nearest rival, Lara Gut.
Christophe Pallot/Agence Zoom/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Marcel Hirscher of Austria won the men's competition, naming his "trophy" Leo. Both Hirscher and Shiffrin won in 2013, meaning this is the second reindeer they can claim ownership of.
Marcel Hirscher of Austria won the men's competition, naming his "trophy" Leo. Both Hirscher and Shiffrin won in 2013, meaning this is the second reindeer they can claim ownership of.
MARTTI KAINULAINEN/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Slovenia's Tina Maze meets her reindeer, Viktor, after winning in 2014. Maze retired from professional skiing earlier this season.
Slovenia's Tina Maze meets her reindeer, Viktor, after winning in 2014. Maze retired from professional skiing earlier this season.
MARKKU ULANDER/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Hirscher with his reindeer from 2013, named Lars after his father. He went on to win the overall title that year.
Hirscher with his reindeer from 2013, named Lars after his father. He went on to win the overall title that year.
MARKKU ULANDER/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Levi is the most northerly venue on the World Cup circuit, with temperatures dropping to as low as 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Levi is the most northerly venue on the World Cup circuit, with temperatures dropping to as low as 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Christophe Pallot/Agence Zoom/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Ski fast, win a reindeer?

Story highlights

Winners of Levi FIS World Cup slalom event gifted a reindeer

Mikaela Shiffrin scored second Levi victory this year

Reindeer valuable part of Finnish lifestyle

CNN  — 

Sports fans have become used to seeing tournament champions bagging a big check and hoisting an impressive trophy above their heads.

But for the slalom event of the Alpine Skiing World Cup in Levi, northern Finland, things are done a little differently.

Since 2013, the winner of both the men’s and women’s competition has won a reindeer.

This year, the prize animals went to Mikaela Shiffrin of the United States and Marcel Hirscher of Austria. Both had previously won at Levi in 2013, so are now proud owners of two reindeer each.

Read: Mikaela Shiffrin: American skier’s ‘OMG’ moment after Donald Trump win

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Updated 5:10 AM EST, Fri November 18, 2016
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CORRECTION - Mikaela Shiffrin of the US poses with a white reindeer named "Mikaela" she was given after winning the Ladies' FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup slalom race in Levi Kittil?, Finland on November 12, 2016. / AFP / Lehtikuva / Martti Kainulainen / Finland OUT / The erroneous mention appearing in the metadata of this photo by Martti Kainulainen has been modified in AFP systems in the following manner: [Mikaela Shiffrin of the US poses with a white reindeer named "Mikaela" she was given after winning the Ladies' FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup slalom race in Levi Kittil?, Finland on November 12, 2016. ] instead of [Mikaela Shiffrin of the US jokes with Santa Claus reindeer after winning the Ladies' FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup slalom race in Levi Kittil?, Finland on November 12, 2016.]. Please immediately remove the erroneous mention from all your online services and delete it from your servers. If you have been authorized by AFP to distribute it to third parties, please ensure that the same actions are carried out by them. Failure to promptly comply with these instructions will entail liability on your part for any continued or post notification usage. Therefore we thank you very much for all your attention and prompt action. We are sorry for the inconvenience this notification may cause and remain at your disposal for any further information you may require. (Photo credit should read MARTTI KAINULAINEN/AFP/Getty Images)
The cutest prize in alpine skiing
03:14 - Source: CNN

Rudolph and Sven

The winners are allowed to name their furry friend but must leave them behind after the race meet – even though they are encouraged to follow their movements on social media.

Shiffrin named her first reindeer Rudolph, telling CNN: “because then everybody knows, no matter how old or young you are, that Rudolph the Reindeer exists.”

She added that she plans to call the second Sven after a reindeer in the movie “Frozen.”

‘Reindeer character’

For the region of Lapland, in northern Finland, reindeer play an important part in everyday life, and herding them is the oldest livelihood in Lapland.

Read: Lindsey Vonn breaks arm in training

“Reindeer are used for transportation, for meat markets, and also for clothes,” explains Johanna Hietanen, the reindeer herder who provides the prize animal for the World Cup each year.

“(They) are basically wild animals and are scared of people, but then this is how we get them used to people,” Hietanen added. “They have their own characters are their own personality. Some are easier to train than the others.”

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Both Hirscher and Shiffrin currently top the respective male and female overall World Cup standings with 180 points after two events.