Mikaela Shiffrin delivered a commanding statement to kick off the 2025/26 FIS Alpine Ski World Cup slalom season, posting the fastest first-run time in Levi and laying down a marker for her pursuit of Milano Cortina 2026 glory.
The 30-year-old American, skiing third after an early crash by teammate Annika Hunt, stormed the 56-gate course in 56.08 seconds—establishing a lead of over one second heading into Sunday’s second run. The performance served as a forceful rebuttal to the lingering shadows of her 2022 Beijing Olympics, where three DNFs left the two-time slalom gold medalist without a podium.
Speaking with Olympics.com, Shiffrin reflected on the psychological weight of those Games. “I don’t want Beijing to define my Olympic story,” she said. “Covid recovery, the anniversary of my father’s passing—there were layers beyond the racing. I’ve gained perspective and, honestly, more respect for how quickly things can unravel.”
Her Levi run showcased the technical precision and aggressive rhythm that have produced 61 World Cup slalom victories—more than any skier in history. The margin of victory in the opening leg underscores a renewed physical foundation after injury-shortened campaigns in 2023/24 and 2024/25, including crashes in Cortina and Killington.
In a separate interview with Healthy.com, Shiffrin outlined her Milano Cortina mindset: “Steady and positive. The last two seasons were fragmented by injury, so the priority has been rebuilding durability—hours in the gym, time on snow, and a clean mental slate.”
Sunday’s reverse-order final begins at 13:00 CET, with Shiffrin holding a cushion that positions her for a record-extending 98th World Cup win. A victory would also extend her record of opening-season slalom triumphs in Levi to seven.
As the circuit turns toward Italy’s 2026 Winter Games, Shiffrin’s early-season form signals that the most decorated slalom skier of all time remains the benchmark—and is determined to author a new Olympic chapter.
