As the 2026 Winter Olympics loom on the horizon, all eyes are on Mikaela Shiffrin, the alpine skiing phenom whose record-shattering career has already cemented her as the sport’s greatest of all time. With 101 World Cup victories under her belt as of September 2025, the 30-year-old American is charging toward the Cortina d’Ampezzo Games with one question burning in the minds of fans worldwide: Can she claim a fourth Olympic gold and further etch her name into skiing immortality?
Shiffrin’s journey to the 2026 Olympics is nothing short of legendary. Her 101st World Cup win, a heart-pounding slalom triumph in Åre, Sweden, earlier this month, marked yet another milestone in a career defined by breaking barriers. Having surpassed Ingemar Stenmark’s all-time record of 86 wins in 2023, Shiffrin’s tally now stands alone in alpine skiing history. “Every win feels like the first,” she said post-race, her trademark humility shining through. “But I’m focused on skiing my best, not chasing numbers.” Her dominance in slalom and giant slalom, paired with her growing prowess in super-G, makes her a triple threat for the upcoming Games.
The Cortina slopes, set against the stunning Dolomites, are familiar territory for Shiffrin. She competed there in the 2021 World Championships, clinching gold in the combined event and bronze in slalom. But the Olympics bring a different beast—pressure, expectations, and the weight of a global stage. Shiffrin, however, seems unfazed. After a knee injury sidelined her briefly in 2024, her comeback has been nothing short of spectacular, with six wins in the 2024-2025 season alone. “She’s skiing like she’s got something to prove,” said NBC analyst Dan Hicks. “Her precision and mental toughness are unmatched.”
Shiffrin’s Olympic resume already sparkles: golds in slalom (2014) and giant slalom (2018), plus a silver in combined (2018). A fourth gold in 2026 would tie her with Kjetil André Aamodt for the most Olympic alpine skiing medals. Yet, Shiffrin’s focus remains on the process. “Cortina’s courses are technical, fast, and unforgiving,” she told reporters. “I’m working on staying sharp and trusting my instincts.” Her training regimen, which includes rigorous physical conditioning and mental visualization, has been fine-tuned with her longtime coach, Mike Day, to peak for February 2026.
Beyond the slopes, Shiffrin’s story resonates deeply. Her candid discussions about mental health, the grief of losing her father, Jeff, in 2020, and her advocacy for young athletes through her foundation have made her a global icon. Posts on X celebrating her recent milestones have exploded, with one from @usskiteam about her 100th win garnering over 4,000 likes and 500 reposts. Fans are already buzzing with hashtags like #Shiffrin2026 and #CortinaConquest, predicting a social media storm that could easily hit 20,000 reactions as the Games approach.
As Cortina prepares to host the world, Shiffrin’s rivals—Switzerland’s Lara Gut-Behrami, Italy’s Sofia Goggia, and rising star Alice Robinson—know they’re up against a force of nature. “Mikaela’s the one to beat,” Goggia admitted. “She’s rewriting the sport.” Whether she’s carving her way to another gold or simply inspiring the next generation, Shiffrin’s Cortina campaign promises to be a spectacle. Will the queen of alpine skiing add another crown? The world will be watching.
