With 108 World Cup victories and a record ninth slalom Crystal Globe freshly secured, Mikaela Shiffrin heads into the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics as the undisputed greatest alpine skier of all time. But what truly defines the 30-year-old American beyond the numbers?
The Associated Press asked those closest to her—coaches, family, teammates, rivals, and even her fiancé—to distill Shiffrin’s essence into one or two words. Their answers paint a vivid portrait of resilience, precision, kindness, and relentless drive.
Shiffrin herself offered a wry take on her Olympic history, blending humor with honesty: “I’m not going to lie—the Olympics have been wonderful to me, and they’ve been like a mosquito as well.” The two-time gold medalist (Sochi 2014 slalom, PyeongChang 2018 giant slalom) famously struggled in Beijing 2022, going medal-less despite high expectations, but she has since transformed setbacks into fuel.
U.S. teammate and two-time Olympic gold medalist Ted Ligety called her execution “textbook.” “If you were to read a book on how you should ski, she executes it near flawlessly,” he said, praising her rhythmic, almost musical flow through slalom gates that helped her claim that historic ninth slalom globe on January 25, 2026.
Head coach Karin Harjo pointed to “persistence.” Shiffrin’s willingness to push through adversity shone after a terrifying November 2024 puncture wound in Vermont that narrowly missed vital organs and triggered PTSD in giant slalom. She battled back to earn her first GS World Cup podium in two years with a third-place finish in Spindlerův Mlýn just days before clinching the slalom title.
Her mother, Eileen Shiffrin, chose the simplest yet most heartfelt word: “kind.” Shiffrin is known for signing autographs tirelessly, gifting race flowers and trophies to coaches, sponsors, servicemen, and even hotel staff.
Teammate Breezy Johnson dubbed her “captain.” “She’s an incredible leader but she’s never afraid to jump in the bilge and get water out of the hull,” Johnson said. “She is the best of us but she’s also one of us.” Shiffrin often reviews course videos with newcomers, sharing her insights to ease their nerves.
Coach Janne Haarala highlighted “dedication,” noting Shiffrin pursues excellence in everything—from her podcast “What’s the Point with Mikaela Shiffrin” to playing guitar and piano, passions she shared with her late father, Jeff, who passed in 2020.
Physical therapist Regan Dewhirst described her as “methodical.” “Driven, creative, thoughtful and precise,” Dewhirst said, emphasizing Shiffrin’s curiosity and intentional approach to challenges, including rebuilding GS confidence.
Retired Austrian star Marlies Raich (Schild), a four-time Olympic medalist and one of Shiffrin’s childhood idols, praised her ability to maintain “perfect position” with short, powerful turns and unrelenting drive to the finish.
Legend Bode Miller went further: “superlative.” “Anybody who tries to make an argument that she’s not the best there’s ever been has some uphill sledding to do,” he declared, noting her 108 wins eclipse teammate Lindsey Vonn’s 84 and Ingemar Stenmark’s 86.
Fiancé Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, the Norwegian speed specialist, summed it up with “consistency.” “She’s always focused and always motivated and always in training,” he said. The couple supported each other through injuries last season, strengthening their bond.
U.S. Ski & Snowboard CEO Sophie Goldschmidt called her the “ultimate role model on and off the snow.”
As Shiffrin prepares for Cortina—where she’ll chase more Olympic glory in slalom, giant slalom, and possibly other events—her inner circle’s words reveal a champion who combines technical mastery with profound humanity. In an era of records she continues to shatter, Mikaela Shiffrin remains defined not just by wins, but by the inspiration she ignites in everyone around her.
