Milan — Mikaela Shiffrin, the standout skier from Team USA, captured gold in slalom at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. After some struggles in earlier events, Wednesday’s performance was a triumphant return.
Shiffrin finished her first run in 47.13 seconds, a full 0.82 seconds ahead of her competitors. Skiers race in two runs, combining their times for the final score. Later that day, Shiffrin took her second run, fully aware that another great performance could bring her first Olympic medal since 2018.
Before her run, there was tension. Just ahead, Lena Duerr from Germany had a mishap, and that added pressure. But Shiffrin maintained focus. With a thrilling display of skill, she crossed the finish line in 51.97 seconds, with a total time of 1:39.1. This victory margin was the largest in any Olympic Alpine skiing event since 1998.
“This is a dream come true,” Shiffrin stated. “I just told myself to ski and stop dreaming.” Despite facing injuries and disappointments in prior competitions, she pushed past her struggles to shine on this day.
Shiffrin’s journey hasn’t been easy. She missed out on medals in the 2022 Winter Olympics and even struggled at the start of the Milan Games, placing fourth in team combined and 11th in giant slalom. Earlier this week, she shared on Instagram about her internal battles: “My skiing in the first race didn’t come together the way I visualized.”
Her success in slalom is no surprise. More than half of her 108 World Cup wins have been in this event. At just 18, she won gold in slalom at the Sochi Olympics, making her the youngest Olympic champion in her sport. Now, at 30, she holds the unique distinction of being both the youngest and oldest U.S. woman to win Olympic gold in Alpine skiing.
In the lead-up to her runs, Shiffrin expressed tight focus. “I was a little bit on the limit,” she commented after her first run, noting how well things came together. As she celebrated with her family, including her mother, Eileen, she took a moment to remember her father, Jeff, who passed away in 2020. “Every new experience is something he’s not here to see,” she reflected, creating a heartfelt connection to her past during her moment of triumph.
This gold medal is not just a victory; it’s a significant milestone in a journey filled with challenges and resilience. It shows how determination and skill can lead to incredible achievements, even against the odds. For more insights on Shiffrin’s impressive career and statistics, visit NBC Sports.
