As the chill of a Finnish November settles over the Levi Black course, Mikaela Shiffrin is no stranger to the spotlight—or the stakes. The 30-year-old American alpine skiing phenom, already the most decorated athlete in FIS World Cup history with 101 victories, is deep into her pre-race routine ahead of Saturday’s slalom showdown. With the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympics looming just three months away, Shiffrin’s preparations blend high-intensity training, mental resets, and a dash of her signature introspection. In a rapid-fire exchange with Global Ski News during a brief gym session here, the double Olympic champion opened up about her mindset, her recent “huge step” in Sölden, and what it takes to chase history on one of the tour’s most demanding technical tracks.
Shiffrin’s season opener in Sölden, Austria, last month was a statement of resilience. Starting with a higher bib number to simulate deeper-field chaos—a deliberate training tactic—she carved her way to a fourth-place finish in the giant slalom, her best result in the discipline in nearly two years. “It felt like a breakthrough,” Shiffrin said, pausing mid-set on a leg-press machine to catch her breath. “I’ve been rebuilding GS confidence since the Killington crash, and that run was clean—precise edges, no hesitation. It’s fuel for Levi.” The result, just 0.23 seconds off the podium, came amid icy conditions that felled several top contenders, including defending GS globe winner Federica Brignone, sidelined by an offseason injury.
Levi, with its steep pitch and tight gates, plays to Shiffrin’s strengths. She’s won the slalom here four times, most recently in 2023, and holds a staggering 64 World Cup slalom triumphs—more than double her nearest rival. But after a summer of targeted off-season work, including simulated “chatter and ruts” drills with teammates and rivals, Shiffrin is approaching this weekend with eyes on efficiency. “One of my big goals this season is efficiency, efficacy, and transparency,” she explained, wiping sweat from her brow during a quick core circuit. “I’m learning how I operate under pressure—what works, what doesn’t. Levi’s not forgiving; one micro-adjustment can make or break a run.
