Mikaela Shiffrin, the undisputed queen of alpine skiing, returns to her signature showcase of technical precision as she competes in the women’s giant slalom at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on Sunday—the very event where she claimed Olympic gold in PyeongChang 2018.
The 30-year-old American superstar, holder of a record 108 FIS World Cup victories (the most by any skier, male or female), enters the race with a legacy built on unmatched consistency, tactical brilliance, and resilience. Her giant slalom triumph eight years ago in South Korea marked her second Olympic gold (following slalom gold in Sochi 2014) and solidified her status as one of the greatest technical skiers ever, edging out competitors like Ragnhild Mowinckel and Federica Brignone in a display of flawless line choice and speed control.
” Giant Slalom for @mikaelashiffrin is a showcase of technical mastery that earned her Olympic gold in 2018,” a recent tribute from her equipment sponsor Atomic Skiing highlighted. “With more than 100 World Cup wins and a legacy built on precision, she’s set to write another chapter in Olympic history.”
Shiffrin, who started third in Sunday’s first run on the demanding Olimpia delle Tofane course, arrives amid a season of resurgence following a devastating November 2024 crash that caused a puncture wound to her obliques and left her grappling with PTSD. That incident sidelined her from peak giant slalom form for over a year, but she roared back with a podium finish (third) in the final pre-Olympic GS in Špindlerův Mlýn, Czechia, on January 24—her first in the discipline since before the injury.
While her dominant slalom season (seven wins in eight races and a ninth career slalom Crystal Globe) makes her the overwhelming favorite for Wednesday’s slalom event, giant slalom remains a tougher rebuild. Shiffrin sits fourth in the current World Cup GS standings but has shown flashes of her 2018-level mastery, where she combined elite rhythm and aggression to secure gold.
The race carries added weight after a disappointing fourth-place finish in the women’s team combined earlier in the Games, where Shiffrin struggled to find comfort in the slalom leg alongside teammate Breezy Johnson. Yet the Colorado native has spoken openly about embracing the Olympic pressure, refusing to let past narratives define her.
Sunday’s giant slalom offers redemption and another shot at extending her Olympic medal tally (currently two golds and one silver). With top contenders like Julia Scheib (Austria), Sara Hector (Sweden), and Paula Moltzan (USA) in the field, Shiffrin’s precision and experience position her as a legitimate threat to reclaim the podium.
As the skiing world watches, Shiffrin’s pursuit underscores her enduring mantra: relentless improvement and unyielding passion for the sport. Whether she adds to her hardware or not, her chapter in Olympic history continues to inspire.
