As Mikaela Shiffrin gears up for her 16th World Cup season, the alpine skiing legend remains undecided about whether the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics will mark her final Olympic appearance. Speaking at a media event hosted by her sponsor, Atomic, in Bergheim, Austria, the 30-year-old American, who holds a record 101 World Cup victories and 18 global medals, including two Olympic golds, offered a candid perspective on her future in the sport.
“I’m not really a numbers girl. I’m so uncertain,” Shiffrin said when asked about Milano-Cortina 2026, which will be her fourth Olympic Games. “To be honest, I don’t know. You can say 50-50.” Her response leaves open the possibility of competing at the French Alps 2030 Winter Games, though she stopped short of committing to any long-term plans.
Shiffrin, a three-time Olympian, also addressed comparisons to her compatriot Lindsey Vonn, a three-time Olympic medalist who recently returned to competitive skiing at age 40. When asked if she feels pressure to extend her career into her 40s, Shiffrin was clear: “I don’t see myself competing until I’m 40, but I’m certainly inspired to see the success of athletes who can compete and hold that level for such a long time—and take a step away from the sport and come back.”
She added, “It’s impressive, and it shows there are so many ways to do this. Sport is such a beautiful part of life. We get to do this, and that’s something to be grateful for.”
In addition to her Olympic musings, Shiffrin hinted at expanding her World Cup programme by potentially adding super-G to her repertoire this season. Known for her dominance in slalom and giant slalom, the inclusion of super-G could signal a new challenge for the most decorated alpine skier in history. While she has competed in super-G in the past, including at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, Shiffrin has yet to confirm her full event lineup for the upcoming season.
As Shiffrin prepares for the 2025-26 World Cup season, her focus remains on balancing her competitive drive with the joy of skiing. With her Olympic future uncertain and new events on the horizon, fans can expect the skiing superstar to continue pushing boundaries while keeping her options open.
For now, Shiffrin’s 50-50 stance on Milano-Cortina 2026 ensures that the alpine skiing world will be watching closely as she carves her path forward—both on and off the slopes.
