As the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics dawn, Mikaela Shiffrin stands poised to etch another chapter into one of the greatest careers in alpine skiing history. Widely regarded as the Greatest Of All Time (GOAT) in her sport—with a record 108 World Cup victories, surpassing legends like Ingemar Stenmark—the 30-year-old American enters her fourth Olympics not just chasing more hardware, but seeking redemption after the heartbreak of Beijing 2022.
In Sochi 2014, a then-18-year-old Shiffrin claimed slalom gold in dominant fashion, becoming the youngest Olympic slalom champion ever. Four years later in PyeongChang, she added giant slalom gold and a silver in the combined event, cementing her status as a multi-discipline force. But Beijing was different. Plagued by expectations and uncharacteristic mistakes, she failed to medal in her technical events, finishing out of the top spots in slalom and giant slalom—a rare stumble for the woman who has dominated those disciplines for over a decade.
“That was tough,” Shiffrin reflected in recent interviews. “I put so much pressure on myself. This time, it’s about staying true to who I am, focusing on joy, balance, and trust. Things won’t always go according to plan—and that’s okay.”
Shiffrin arrives in Cortina healthier and more confident than she has in years. A devastating crash in November 2024 at Killington left her with a severe puncture wound to the abdomen—just millimeters from catastrophic internal damage—followed by psychological challenges, including PTSD symptoms in giant slalom. Yet she battled back fiercely. By late January 2026, she secured her record ninth World Cup slalom Crystal Globe with races to spare, notched her first giant slalom podium in two seasons, and demonstrated resilience that has teammates and rivals alike calling her career “unparalleled.”
“She’s the GOAT,” said one prominent skiing analyst. “More wins than anyone, male or female. Multiple Olympic golds, world championships, and she’s still hungry.”
Shiffrin plans to compete in slalom, giant slalom, and potentially super-G or the team combined event, where she is a reigning world champion alongside teammate Breezy Johnson. Cortina holds special appeal—familiar terrain where she has tasted World Cup success and a chance to race on Italian snow that suits her technical precision.
The stakes are high. Another gold would push her Olympic tally to three (or four), further solidifying her legacy. But for Shiffrin, the focus has shifted from medal counts to process and presence.
“I’m excited to be here in a place that’s familiar,” she said. “I’ve worked through so much—physically, mentally. Now it’s about putting it all on the mountain and enjoying the ride.”
As the Games unfold from February 6-22, the alpine world watches Shiffrin not just as the winningest skier ever, but as a champion seeking to close the loop on unfinished Olympic business. Redemption, resilience, and perhaps another golden moment await on the slopes of Cortina. For skiing’s GOAT, the pursuit of greatness never ends.
