American alpine superstar Mikaela Shiffrin reclaimed her throne in spectacular fashion on February 18, storming to victory in the women’s slalom at the 2026 Winter Olympics and ending an agonizing eight-year wait for another Olympic medal.
The 30-year-old legend delivered two commanding runs on the iconic Tofane course in the Dolomites, clocking a combined time of 1:39.10 — a massive 1.50 seconds ahead of Switzerland’s Camille Rast (silver) and 1.71 seconds clear of Sweden’s Anna Swenn Larsson (bronze). The margin of victory stands as the largest in any Olympic Alpine event since 1998 and the third-biggest ever in women’s slalom.
This triumph marks Shiffrin’s third Olympic gold — making her the first American Alpine skier to achieve that milestone — and her fourth Olympic medal overall, surpassing previous U.S. records. Twelve years after becoming the youngest American to win Olympic slalom gold in Sochi 2014, she now holds the title as the oldest as well.
After a heartbreaking 0-for-6 performance in Beijing 2022 and earlier disappointments in these Games (fourth in team combined, 11th in giant slalom), Shiffrin silenced doubters with pure dominance. Leading by 0.82 seconds after a blistering first run, she overcame a brief gate wobble in the second to seal the win in style.
Crossing the finish line, Shiffrin dropped into a squat in disbelief before emotional embraces with rivals Rast and Larsson, followed by a tearful hug with her mother and coach, Eileen. The victory carried deep personal resonance, coming amid ongoing grief over the 2020 loss of her father, Jeff.
With a record 108 World Cup wins (71 in slalom) already to her name, this redemptive gold cements Shiffrin’s legacy as one of the greatest Alpine skiers ever. As one rival put it, she’s simply “in another league.”
The U.S. Ski and Snowboard community erupted in pride: “A well-deserved moment for the greatest,” officials declared. For Shiffrin, it’s more than a medal — it’s freedom, closure, and proof that greatness endures.
What a comeback. What a champion. 🏆❄️
