Team USA’s Mikaela Shiffrin finally secured another Winter Olympics gold medal on Wednesday as she reigned supreme in the women’s slalom.
It had been a disappointing games for the 30-year-old skier, who could only manage 11th and 4th in the giant slalom and team events earlier on in Milan.
Those results threatened to extend her Winter Olympics agony. She failed to medal in any of her events at Beijing 2022 and was on an 0-8 streak.
Shiffrin, considered by many to be the greatest Alpine skier of all time, had failed to win an Olympic medal since a gold and silver in Pyeongchang in 2018.
But Shiffrin showed her undoubted quality by finishing over a second quicker than Switzerland’s world champion Camille Rast to return to the top step of the podium. Anna Swenn Larsson of Sweden took bronze.
After delivering an exquisite second run to build on her 0.82-run lead from the morning, Shiffrin stopped in the finish area to take it all, slowly squatted and was embraced by the other medalists.
Mikaela Shiffrin finally won gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics, regaining the slalom title
Shiffrin finished almost a second quicker than Germany’s Lena Durr to claim her gold medal
Shiffrin finished over a second quicker than Switzerland’s Camille Rast (L) while Anna Swenn Larsson of Sweden took bronze
Then all the emotion came out: Shiffrin pumped her fists to the crowd and then was fighting back tears as she approached her mom and coach, Eileen.
Her first gold came in the slalom as a fresh-faced teenager in Sochi 12 years ago, so her Olympic journey has come full circle in her favorite event.
Shiffrin’s victory comes after she posted a heartfelt message to fans after her recent loss in the team combined event.
After teammate Breezy Johnson turned in the best downhill time in the field, Shiffrin put up one of the slowest slalom times in her career. Despite winning more slalom events than any skier in history, her missed opportunity led to a fourth-place finish.
‘The Olympics shine a bright light on medals… and within this experience, what I treasure most are the quiet, meaningful moments of work, connection, and shared joy with my team,’ she wrote in a statement.
‘I am here for the skiing and the execution of my turns. My skiing in the first race didn’t come together the way I visualized. I fought for every hundredth and didn’t totally find the right execution.
‘This was certainly cause for some disappointment, even amid the most wonderful celebration of [bronze medalists] Jackie [Wiles] and Paula [Moltzan].’
Shiffrin pumped her fists and held back tears as she approached mom and coach, Eileen
She continued: ‘That’s ski racing: fine margins, endless changing variables, and constant adaptation.
‘We’ve taken the lessons, analyzed and adjusted, and are moving forward-with focus, intention, and belief in the practice.
‘The Olympics ask us to take a real risk on the world stage. One that requires courage and vulnerability to erroneous judgement and narratives built on a limited understanding of what this sport truly demands. And it all matters in the story of becoming the best version of ourselves.’
Shiffrin concluded, ‘I’m grateful to be here, motivated and excited for what’s next, and proud to be a part of this American team. May we all champion one another, tread lightly on what we don’t fully comprehend, and have the fortitude to keep showing up. Go Team USA.’
