Double Olympic champion Mikaela Shiffrin is approaching the 2025-26 Alpine skiing season with a blend of optimism and pragmatism as she prepares for her debut in the giant slalom (GS) at Sölden, Austria, on Saturday. The American skiing icon, who has faced significant challenges since a traumatic crash in Killington, Vermont, last November, opened up about her recovery, her focus on giant slalom, and her cautious outlook for the overall World Cup title and the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Shiffrin, who suffered a deep abdominal injury in the Killington crash and subsequently dealt with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), described last season as a struggle, particularly in giant slalom. “I had a total mind-body disconnect,” she said, reflecting on the aftermath of the incident. However, intensive offseason training, with a particular emphasis on GS, has yielded encouraging progress. “I feel I have the potential to be in the mix when I ski my best and most confident skiing,” Shiffrin noted. “It’s been an incredible journey to where I am now, where I feel more in control of the improvements I’m making.”
Despite her progress, Shiffrin remains grounded about her prospects. “I’m not at the top of the fastest athletes right now,” she admitted, acknowledging the competitive field in a pivotal Olympic season. With a “step-by-step” approach, she is focused on incremental gains rather than setting lofty expectations. “There will be improvements to make every single race this season,” she said. “Everybody’s going to be at the top of their game, so I’m not taking anything for granted. There are a lot of uncertainties right now, so we’ll see.”
Shiffrin also addressed her Olympic ambitions, particularly her “dream” of competing in super-G at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina, Italy. While she has decided to skip downhill this season and remains uncertain about qualifying for super-G, she hasn’t ruled it out entirely. “I haven’t let go of that dream,” she said, highlighting her determination to balance her goals with a realistic assessment of her current form.
As the most decorated Alpine skier in history, with gold medals in slalom (2014) and giant slalom (2018), Shiffrin is channeling her motivation into refining her performance in her strongest events—slalom, giant slalom, and the team combined event. Her measured approach reflects a seasoned athlete navigating a demanding season with an eye on long-term success.
As she takes to the slopes in Sölden, Shiffrin’s focus on progress over perfection sets the tone for a season that will test her resilience and skill ahead of the 2026 Olympics.
