In the high-stakes world of alpine skiing, where milliseconds separate triumph from heartbreak, Mikaela Shiffrin stands unmatched. The American superstar, holder of the all-time record with 108 World Cup wins, is charging toward the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics with relentless drive—and a refreshingly honest perspective on what comes when the wins don’t materialize.
In a recent TIME magazine profile titled “Mikaela Shiffrin Wants to Win–and Talk About Loss,” the three-time Olympic medalist opened up about her dual pursuits: stacking more victories while openly confronting the pain of setbacks, grief, and the fragility of success. Fresh off securing her record ninth slalom season title and dominating recent races, Shiffrin remains the dominant force in the sport. Yet she refuses to let wins define her entirely.
The article recounts a near-miss milestone in November 2024, when Shiffrin was on the cusp of her 100th World Cup victory in her home state of Vermont—only to slip in the second run of giant slalom. That moment, amid family and fans, underscored the thin line she navigates daily. Shiffrin has since rebounded spectacularly, including podium finishes and a string of slalom victories that have her atop the World Cup standings.
But her story goes deeper than statistics. Shiffrin has long spoken candidly about personal losses, including the death of her father in 2020, which reshaped her relationship with the sport. She has described the bittersweet nature of winning without loved ones present and the lingering questions of purpose that follow tragedy. Now, with a new podcast titled What’s the Point With Mikaela Shiffrin, she creates space to discuss these themes with fellow athletes, exploring why they compete amid life’s uncertainties.
“I still get those thoughts about crashing,” Shiffrin told TIME, acknowledging the persistent risks after a serious 2024 injury that left her with physical wounds and emotional scars, including PTSD symptoms. “You just get a little numb to them. I’m aware of the risks. But I’m not beholden to them.”
As the Olympics approach, Shiffrin is reshaping her mindset. Past Games, like the disappointing 2022 Beijing experience where she failed to medal in six events, taught her resilience. Today, she emphasizes showing up fully, enjoying the process, and accepting that failure doesn’t equate to being a failure. “The attitude I would like to bring is that the Olympics are not happening to me, but I’m happening to them,” she has said.
With her fiancé, Norwegian skier Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, by her side—both having overcome major crashes—Shiffrin draws strength from shared understanding. Her goal remains clear: more gold, more records, and more honest conversations about the full spectrum of an athlete’s life.
In a sport built on speed and precision, Mikaela Shiffrin is proving that true greatness includes the courage to win big—and the grace to talk about when things fall short. As the Milano Cortina Games near, the skiing world watches not just for her next victory, but for how she continues redefining what it means to compete at the highest level.
