Twelve years apart, two golden runs, one unbreakable legacy.
Mikaela Shiffrin has etched her name deeper into alpine skiing immortality. The American superstar claimed her second Olympic slalom gold medal at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, becoming just the second skier—man or woman—in history to achieve the rare feat of winning the event twice at the Games.
Her first came as an 18-year-old phenom in Sochi 2014, where she became the youngest Olympic slalom champion ever. Fast-forward to February 18, 2026, in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy: at age 30, Shiffrin delivered a masterclass, attacking both runs with precision and power to win by a massive 1.50 seconds—the largest margin in any Olympic alpine event since 1998. Switzerland’s Camille Rast took silver, while Sweden’s Anna Swenn-Larsson earned bronze.
The only other skier to claim two Olympic slalom golds? Switzerland’s legendary Vreni Schneider, who triumphed in 1988 and 1994. Shiffrin now joins that elite company, capping a redemption arc that silenced doubters after an eight-year individual Olympic medal drought and a challenging start to these Games.
With this victory, Shiffrin secures her third Olympic gold overall (adding to her 2018 giant slalom title) and becomes the most decorated American alpine skier in Olympic history. Her record 108 World Cup wins already made her the greatest of all time in that arena; now, her Olympic resume matches her dominance.
“I felt proud before it happened,” Shiffrin said post-race. “We took that pride into the day. That was wonderful.”
From teenage prodigy to seasoned GOAT, Shiffrin’s journey reminds us why she’s the queen of the slopes: resilience, skill, and heart. This isn’t just a medal—it’s a statement.
Who’s the greatest alpine skier ever? Mikaela Shiffrin just keeps proving it! Drop your thoughts below and tag a friend who needs to see this historic moment! ⛷️🔥
