At the Atomic Media Day in Salzburg, Austria, on October 9, 2025, alpine skiing sensation Mikaela Shiffrin announced she will not compete in Downhill events during the upcoming 2025–26 World Cup season, a decision mirroring her approach last year. The 30-year-old American, widely regarded as the most accomplished World Cup skier in history, emphasized a strategic focus on her health and performance as she prepares for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.
“I’m keeping Super-G in play,” Shiffrin told SnowBrains, expressing enthusiasm for the discipline she enjoys. She plans to test her readiness in Super-G early in the season, with the first race scheduled for December 14 in St. Moritz, Switzerland. “I’ve been training a bit in Super-G, but I need more sessions to feel race-ready,” she said, noting she’ll assess whether to continue with Super-G before or after the Olympics based on her early-season performance.
Shiffrin’s decision to forego Downhill stems from a cautious approach following a series of injuries. In January 2024, a crash on Cortina’s Trofana di Olympia Downhill course resulted in a knee tendon injury, sidelining her for 44 days. Later, a severe crash during a Giant Slalom in Killington, Vermont, caused an abdominal injury and a 60-day recovery period. The latter incident also left Shiffrin grappling with PTSD, a struggle she has openly discussed. In a recent essay for The Players’ Tribune, she highlighted the importance of sharing her experiences to cope with the trauma, a sentiment she reiterated at the press conference: “Talking and connecting with others has been incredibly helpful.”
While Shiffrin remains a dominant force in Slalom and Giant Slalom, her career also includes five Super-G and four Downhill victories. Her selective event calendar reflects a balance between ambition and recovery as she gears up for the Olympics. When asked about the 2026 Games potentially being her last, Shiffrin was noncommittal but clear about her career’s longevity. “I don’t see myself racing until I’m 40,” she said, distinguishing her path from that of fellow skier Lindsey Vonn, whose comeback she admires but doesn’t plan to emulate.
With an unprecedented 101 World Cup wins, Shiffrin’s passion for skiing remains vibrant. “We get to do this!” she exclaimed, her joy underscoring her drive to continue rewriting alpine skiing history. As the 2025–26 season approaches, fans eagerly await her return to the slopes, particularly in Super-G, where her competitive spirit and skill promise to shine.
