Some wins live forever in the record books. Others live forever in the heart.
One of the most touching images in Mikaela Shiffrin’s career remains the moment she wrapped her arms around her beloved grandmother, Pauline “Nana” Condron, as family and friends celebrated all around them.
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bIt was November 2017 at Killington, Vermont — Shiffrin’s home World Cup race. After another dominant slalom victory, the young star made a beeline for the one person whose smile meant more than any crystal globe. Nana, then in her mid-90s, had made the trip to watch her granddaughter race in person. The embrace that followed was pure, unfiltered joy.
Tears filled Shiffrin’s eyes. Nana’s face lit up. Relatives and friends gathered close, laughing, cheering, and soaking in a rare, perfect family moment. For Shiffrin, it wasn’t just another podium. It was perspective. It was love. It was home.
“Seeing my Nana’s face right after my race, getting to hug her, hearing her voice… it just put everything in perspective,” Shiffrin later recalled. “That made the whole day so, so much sweeter.”
Nana Condron was more than a proud grandmother. She was an early caregiver, a fierce board-game competitor, a lifelong sports fan, and one of Shiffrin’s biggest supporters. The two shared a special bond that lasted until Nana’s passing in 2019 at age 98.
Years later, that Killington hug still hits differently. In a career filled with historic records, Olympic golds, and unforgettable races, this simple family celebration remains one of the most human and beloved moments of them all.
Some victories are measured in seconds.
Others are measured in hugs.
