Mikaela Shiffrin Eyes Slalom Gold, Overcoming Past Challenges at Milan Cortina 2026
Milan, Italy – American alpine skier Mikaela Shiffrin is poised to contend for gold in the slalom event at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, after securing a significant lead following the first run on Wednesday. This marks her final opportunity to medal at these Games.
Dominating First Run
Shiffrin completed the Cortina d’Ampezzo course in 47.13 seconds, establishing a 0.82-second advantage over the competition. The slalom event requires two runs, with combined times determining the final results. The second run is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. EST.
A History of Slalom Success
Slalom is Shiffrin’s strongest discipline. She has achieved 71 World Cup victories in slalom, contributing to her overall record of 108 World Cup wins in Alpine skiing. She previously won gold in slalom at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi at the age of 18, becoming the youngest skier to ever achieve this feat.
Recent Struggles and Resilience
Despite her past success, Shiffrin has faced challenges replicating her Olympic dominance in recent years, with her last medal coming in 2018. She is also working through the psychological effects of a November 2024 crash that resulted in a puncture wound and what she described as crash-induced PTSD.
At the current Winter Games, Shiffrin and Breezy Johnson finished fourth in the team combined event, and Shiffrin placed 11th in the giant slalom. Prior to her strong first slalom run, Shiffrin acknowledged on Instagram that her performance in earlier races hadn’t met her expectations.
Focus and Preparation
Shiffrin expressed excitement and focus heading into the second run. “Today I felt pretty excited,” she told NBC. “It’s hard not to be excited for days like today…I feel pretty prepared to take on the nervousness and it’s just about doing my skiing.” She emphasized concentrating on the course itself, stating, “I’m really focused (on the) start, to the gates to the finish. What’s happening between the start and the finish and the rest of It’s not essential.”
Germany’s Lena Duerr currently holds second place after the first run, followed by Sweden’s Cornelia Oehlund in third.
FAQ
Q: What is the slalom event in alpine skiing?
A: Slalom involves navigating a course with closely spaced gates, requiring quick turns and precise technique. Skiers complete two runs, and the combined times determine the winner.
Q: What were Mikaela Shiffrin’s previous Olympic results?
A: Shiffrin won gold in slalom at the 2014 Sochi Olympics. Her more recent Olympic performances have been more challenging.
Q: What challenges has Shiffrin faced recently?
A: Shiffrin has been recovering from a crash in November 2024 and managing the resulting physical and psychological effects.
Q: When is the second run of the slalom event?
A: The second run is scheduled to commence at 7:30 a.m. EST.
Did you know? Mikaela Shiffrin has 108 World Cup victories, making her one of the most decorated alpine skiers of all time.
Stay tuned for updates on Shiffrin’s second run and the final results of the slalom event. Explore our other Winter Olympics coverage for more news, and analysis.
