Mikaela Shiffrin couldn’t hide her joy — and who could blame her?
“We couldn’t have asked for a better day for today’s Giant Slalom in Kronplatz 🥹🇮🇹” the American legend posted, capturing the pure alpine bliss as the FIS World Cup women’s giant slalom unfolded on the legendary Erta slope under crystal-clear skies and perfect snow conditions.
With the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics just weeks away (opening Feb 6), this traditional Kronplatz showdown on January 20 served as the ultimate pre-Games tune-up on one of the circuit’s toughest and most scenic technical hills. The Erta — steep, relentless, and unforgiving — tested every racer’s precision, power, and nerves, but the weather gods smiled: bluebird skies, no wind, ideal grip, and stunning Dolomites backdrop made it a postcard-perfect day for high-stakes skiing.
Shiffrin, fresh off extending her all-time World Cup wins record to 107 (including that dominant 70th slalom victory in Flachau just days earlier), started bib 8 and brought her trademark intensity to giant slalom. She’s been building momentum in GS this season after setbacks, with multiple podiums and a hunger to reclaim her throne in the discipline she owns two Olympic golds in (2018) and 22 World Cup GS wins overall.
The field was stacked and wide-open: Julia Scheib (AUT) leading the GS standings with consistency, Alice Robinson (NZL) chasing with raw speed, Sara Hector (SWE) always dangerous, Camille Rast (SUI) carrying slalom fire into GS, and Paula Moltzan (USA) riding high from recent breakthroughs and her Flachau 2nd behind Shiffrin. Federica Brignone’s potential comeback added Italian home-crowd energy, while the Erta’s brutal 61% max gradient promised no easy wins.
Shiffrin’s caption said it all — this was one of those magical race days where everything aligns: perfect conditions, electric atmosphere, roaring crowds, and the thrill of watching the best in the world push limits on a beast of a slope. Whether she podiumed or not, the vibe was unbeatable, and it’s exactly the kind of confidence boost the GOAT needs heading into Olympic GS on February 15 in Cortina.
Was this the spark for Shiffrin to storm the podium and build unstoppable Olympic momentum? Or did a surprise star steal the show on the Erta? Either way, days like today remind us why we love alpine skiing — pure joy, stunning views, and drama on snow.
Who’s your favorite to shine in Milano Cortina? Tag a friend who needs to see this beauty! Drop your thoughts below — hearts for the perfect day, fire for the racing! 🔥❄️🇮🇹
