With the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics now just over a month away (February 6-22), Mikaela Shiffrin is adhering to her disciplined yet understated preparation style, keeping personal details under wraps while channeling intense focus toward the Games.
The two-time Olympic gold medalist and record-holding World Cup winner has emphasized a deliberate calm in her buildup, describing it as an intentional mindset amid the mounting anticipation. Shiffrin, who has dominated the slalom discipline this season with four consecutive victories heading into today’s event in Semmering, Austria, prefers to shield her daily regimen from public scrutiny to preserve mental sharpness.
Known for quirky pre-race rituals like snacking on Haribo gummy bears and prioritizing recovery through strength training and rest, Shiffrin has spoken about overcoming past Olympic pressures from Beijing 2022. She aims to “make peace” with the Games this time, focusing primarily on slalom, giant slalom, and possibly the team combined event for a healthier balance.
As the alpine skiing events unfold in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Shiffrin’s composed approach underscores her experience: treating the Olympics as the pinnacle while staying true to the process that has made her the most successful alpine skier in history.
