Alpine skiing legend Mikaela Shiffrin continued her remarkable year in the spotlight as one of the finalists for Best Athlete in Women’s Sports at the 2026 ESPY Awards, held on July 15 at the David H. Koch Theater in New York City.
The 30-year-old three-time Olympic gold medalist, widely regarded as the greatest alpine skier of all time, capped off one of the most dominant seasons in the history of her sport. Shiffrin earned her third Olympic gold with a commanding victory in the women’s slalom at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games, winning by a historic 1.5-second margin—the largest in any Olympic alpine event since 1998.
In the 2025-26 World Cup season, Shiffrin was nearly unstoppable in slalom, securing nine of 10 race victories, a record ninth discipline Crystal Globe, and her sixth career overall title to tie the all-time women’s record. She also extended her career World Cup win total to 110, further cementing her legacy as the winningest alpine skier in history.
Shiffrin’s nomination placed her alongside formidable competitors including hockey star Hilary Knight, golfer Nelly Korda, and WNBA standout A’ja Wilson. While the award ultimately recognized another standout performer, Shiffrin’s presence on the red carpet—alongside fiancé Aleksander Aamodt Kilde and fellow skiing icon Lindsey Vonn—underscored her status as a global sports icon.
This marks another high-profile honor for Shiffrin, who previously won the Best Athlete in Women’s Sports ESPY in 2023. Her consistent excellence has not only elevated alpine skiing but also inspired a new generation of athletes across winter sports.
In a brief interview ahead of the ceremony, Shiffrin expressed gratitude for the recognition. “It’s just an honor to be nominated,” she said, acknowledging the elite company in her category. “Everybody who’s nominated is incredible.”
As Shiffrin looks ahead, her focus remains on continued excellence on the slopes. With the next Olympic cycle on the horizon, the American star shows no signs of slowing down in her pursuit of even greater achievements.
The 2026 ESPYs celebrated the best in sports across numerous categories, with Shiffrin’s nomination serving as a testament to her enduring impact on women’s athletics.
