U.S. skiing legend Mikaela Shiffrin secured her first gold medal since the PyeongChang Olympics in eight straight years, reigniting hopes for a historic run at another Winter Games title.
The 30-year-old athlete triumphed emphatically in the women’s slalom event on Wednesday, completing a flawless second run and securing a combined time of 1:39.10 to outpace Switzerland’s Camille Rast by nearly two seconds.
Earlier runs had already established Shiffrin as a formidable force in the slalom event, where she has proven most successful throughout her career. Her early lead built on her impressive first run in just 47.13 seconds, placing her significantly ahead of Rast and third-placed Sweden’s Anna Swenn Larsson.
Despite this victory, Shiffrin’s quest for Olympic gold remains an unfinished chapter. Since the PyeongChang Games, she has managed only a silver medal in a World Cup slalom event, marking eight straight appearances without securing any medals – including her most recent failure during Sunday’s giant slalom.
Shiffrin’s victory marked not just the first gold since 2018 but also showcased her continued prowess. Before this latest triumph, Shiffrin had claimed gold in the Sochi Games at the tender age of 18 and has been crowned the most decorated female athlete in World Cup skiing history.
The performance was particularly significant given that she hadn’t won a medal since the start of the Milan Cortina Games in February. Despite her early lead, Shiffrin finished in 15th place in the team combined race earlier this year, with teammate Breezy Johnson bringing them fourth overall.
Last year, following a crash during practice at the 2026 Olympics, Shiffrin attributed her absence from the podium to post-traumatic stress disorder and physical trauma. This latest victory comes just days after she celebrated an encouraging showing in the combined team race, where she showcased her resilience and continued excellence on the slopes.
Shiffrin’s gold medal capped a series of strong performances in recent months, marking a significant return to form for one of women’s skiing’s greatest talents. Her efforts have not only rejuvenated hopes within the U.S. Ski Team but also underscored her enduring impact as a role model and athlete beyond her impressive statistics.
Last week, she praised Italy’s Frederica Brigone after winning gold in the giant slalom event at the same Olympics, highlighting the thrilling nature of recent competitions. As Shiffrin continues to navigate through these challenging times, her performances remain a beacon of hope for aspiring athletes and skiing enthusiasts alike.