Mikaela Shiffrin’s Olympic Pursuit: Slalom as a Final Hope in Cortina
CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy – As the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo enter their final stages for alpine skiing, all eyes turn to Mikaela Shiffrin as she prepares for Wednesday’s slalom race. This event represents her last opportunity to secure an individual medal at these Games, following a challenging start to the competition and a recent 11th-place finish in the giant slalom on Sunday.
A Rocky Road in Cortina
Shiffrin’s performance at the Olympics has been marked by both resilience and frustration. Despite being a two-time Olympic gold medalist, she has struggled to find the podium in her last eight Olympic starts. Her recent 11th-place finish in the giant slalom, while a positive step after a significant injury, highlighted the challenges she faces in regaining her peak form. Shiffrin acknowledged the difficulty of competing at the Olympics, noting the unique pressure compared to the World Cup circuit, where another opportunity arises every four years.
Overcoming Adversity: A Return to Racing
Shiffrin’s journey to the Olympics has been far from straightforward. In November 2024, a crash during a giant slalom race in Killington, Vermont, resulted in a severe abdominal injury – she was impaled by a slalom gate. The recovery process was both physically and mentally grueling, with Shiffrin openly discussing her struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder.
She detailed her experience in an essay for The Players’ Tribune, describing a disconnection between her mind and body after the crash, a phenomenon similar to the “twisties” experienced by athletes. Through therapy and a shift in focus – prioritizing the process over outcomes – Shiffrin began to regain her confidence. Her return to the podium with a third-place finish in a World Cup giant slalom in January served as a crucial milestone.
Slalom: Shiffrin’s Domain
Despite the challenges, Shiffrin enters the slalom race as the clear favorite. With a record 71 World Cup wins in the discipline – more than any skier in any single event – and having already secured her ninth slalom Crystal Globe this season, her dominance is undeniable.
Even though, Shiffrin is aware of the mental challenges that the Olympics present. She has spoken about the demand to trust both her mind and body, and to approach the race with a different mentality than in previous competitions. She and her team have been working on refining her technique and mindset, focusing on addressing the minor misalignments that affected her performance in the team combined event.
Looking Ahead
Wednesday’s slalom race is more than just a pursuit of gold for Mikaela Shiffrin. it’s a testament to her resilience, determination, and unwavering spirit. As she prepares for her final run in Cortina, she aims to trust herself, embrace the pressure, and demonstrate why she is considered one of the greatest ski racers of all time.