As the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics approach, American alpine skiing icon Mikaela Shiffrin finds herself sharing the intense media and fan attention that has long defined her Olympic journeys, thanks to compatriot Lindsey Vonn’s remarkable return to the sport.
The 30-year-old Shiffrin, holder of a record 106 World Cup victories, remains the undisputed leader in women’s alpine skiing. Her unparalleled success across disciplines, combined with her candid discussions about mental health, anxiety, and grief following her father’s passing in 2020, has made her the focal point of U.S. expectations at every Games.
Shiffrin has claimed two Olympic golds – slalom in 2014 and giant slalom in 2018 – alongside multiple world titles. However, the Olympics have also brought high-profile setbacks, including multiple DNFs in her signature events at Beijing 2022. Her vulnerability in addressing these moments has only heightened the narrative around her.
This time, the dynamic has shifted. Vonn, now 41, staged a stunning comeback after retiring in 2019, qualifying for her fifth Olympics with dominant downhill performances this season, including leading the discipline standings.
Vonn’s story of resilience – overcoming injuries with advanced knee surgery and returning to podiums – has captured global headlines, reviving themes of legacy and defying age. As the former face of American skiing who once bore similar expectations, Vonn’s presence dilutes the singular focus on Shiffrin, allowing the younger star more space to concentrate on performance.
Shiffrin continues to lead the overall World Cup standings, though Switzerland’s Camille Rast has emerged as a formidable rival in technical events, recently claiming back-to-back victories in giant slalom and slalom.
Women’s events at the 2026 Games will take place on the challenging slopes of Cortina d’Ampezzo, a venue steeped in history and known for testing the world’s best.
With Vonn drawing significant attention in speed events and fresh competition in technical disciplines, Shiffrin heads into the Olympics with a lighter burden, poised to add to her legacy on her terms.
