CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy — In her final race of the 2026 Winter Games, skiing in the slalom, widely considered her best event, Alpine legend Mikaela Shiffrin finally secured a gold medal on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, on a clear day in the mountains above Cortina.
A Long-Awaited Victory
Shiffrin seized her last opportunity, ending an Olympic losing streak that had spanned eight events, including two at these Games and six at the Beijing Games in 2022. She established a lead of .82 seconds in her first run, stating afterward that she felt she had pushed her limits.
She then increased her advantage in the second run, finishing with a 1.5-second margin to claim the gold.
“It felt particularly good, really good skiing. I was also a bit on the limit, there were probably three different times on the course where I thought, I could easily be pushed off the course right now,” Shiffrin said after her first run. “I felt like I nailed it with some question marks. I have big energy today.”
This gold medal is Shiffrin’s fourth Olympic medal, adding to her previous gold from the Sochi Olympics in 2014 and a gold and silver from the Pyeongchang Games in 2018.
Shiffrin has openly discussed battling severe injury, PTSD, and grief following the death of her father in 2020. She spoke after her first race in Cortina about working to find her comfort zone in these Games, stating, “I didn’t quite find a comfort level that allows me to produce full speed…I’m going to have to learn what to do, what to adjust.”
What’s Next?
With the women’s alpine skiing racing program now complete, Shiffrin’s participation in the 2026 Winter Olympics has concluded. It remains to be seen how this victory will influence her approach to future competitions and whether it will inspire a new generation of American skiers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Mikaela Shiffrin win a medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics?
Yes, Mikaela Shiffrin won a gold medal in the women’s slalom on February 18, 2026.
How long had it been since Shiffrin last won an Olympic medal?
It had been eight years since Shiffrin last stood on the Olympic medal podium.
What did Shiffrin say after her first run?
Shiffrin said, “It felt very good, really good skiing. I was also a bit on the limit, there were probably three different times on the course where I thought, I could easily be pushed off the course right now. I felt like I nailed it with some question marks. I have big energy today.”
What does this victory indicate for the future of American alpine skiing?
