Mikaela Shiffrin Ends U.S. Olympic Medal Drought with Slalom Gold
Mikaela Shiffrin, the renowned U.S. skier, achieved a significant milestone at the 2026 Winter Olympics by winning gold in the women’s slalom. This victory ended her medal drought, which had persisted since the 2018 Winter Games.
Mikaela Shiffrin’s Gold Medal Triumph
Shiffrin, aged 30, showcased her exceptional skills by finishing with a combined time of 1:39.10. This impressive performance placed her 1.5 seconds ahead of her closest competitor, Camille Rast of Switzerland, who secured the silver medal. Swedish skier Anna Swenn Larsson finished third.
- Event: Women’s Slalom
- Location: Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics
- Date: February 18, 2026
- Shiffrin’s Time: 1:39.10
- Second Place: Camille Rast (Switzerland)
- Third Place: Anna Swenn Larsson (Sweden)
Performance Highlights
Shiffrin demonstrated her dominance early in the competition by completing her first slalom run in 47.13 seconds. This set her ahead of prominent rivals, including Rast and Larsson. She previously endured a challenging run in the giant slalom, finishing in 11th place, despite high expectations for that event.
After this victory, Shiffrin expressed her emotional relief at the podium ceremony. “This victory means the world to me,” she stated, reflecting on her struggles prior to the event.
Past Struggles and Resilience
Despite her illustrious career, Shiffrin faced a medal drought in eight consecutive Olympic events leading up to this win. Her last medals were earned in 2018 during the PyeongChang Olympics, where she claimed gold in one event and silver in another.
Throughout her journey, Shiffrin encountered challenges, including a significant crash in 2024, which contributed to her struggles in recent competitions. She openly discussed her battle with post-traumatic stress disorder stemming from that incident.
Looking Ahead
With this victory, Shiffrin reclaims her spot at the top of international skiing. Her passion for the sport remains evident as she acknowledges her competitors. Following the giant slalom event, she praised Italy’s Frederica Brigone, who won gold in that event, saying it was “the greatest show of GS skiing in a long time.”
As the world watches her continue to excel, Shiffrin’s win at the Milano Cortina Games marks a remarkable return to form, promising an exciting future in skiing.
