Mikaela Shiffrin revealed her bib number for the upcoming giant slalom race, expressing gratitude for being able to enter an event she was unsure about after her Killington crash in 2024. She also highlighted the aspects of the Olympics that stand out to her and shared her feelings about skiers being judged on the world stage with a limited understanding of the sport.
Shiffrin was in contention in the team combined event with Breezy Johnson, but the pair missed the top finish after the former faltered in her slalom run.
Mikaela Shiffrin Gets Real About Journey from Adversity to Giant Slalom Start Gate at the 2026 Winter Games
Shiffrin suffered a traumatic abdominal puncture during a giant slalom race in Killington while she was in pursuit of her 100th World Cup win. The weeks that followed kept her in rehabilitation after surgery, and later required the cleaning of an old hematoma. She returned to the slopes and surpassed the 100-win mark, but didn’t dare to compete in the aforementioned discipline.
In the 2025–26 season, she competed in giant slalom but did not earn a podium finish. This came after multiple efforts to regain her form, as the crash also left her with PTSD. Although her points qualified her for the event at the Olympics, she will take the course on February 15, starting in third place.
Before that, Shiffrin took some time to write a long message, announcing that she had moved into the top seven in the world and expressing how overwhelmed and proud she felt to enter the giant slalom.
“A little over a year ago, following my injury in Killington, I couldn’t even imagine skiing giant slalom at this level again, let alone starting in the discipline at the Olympics… 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.
She also discussed the disappointment after her team combined run but commended her teammates, Jacqueline Wiles and Paula Moltzan, for winning bronze. The 108-time World Cup winner then drew parallels between heartbreak and victory after highlighting the real risk of being exposed to erroneous judgment, yet never pausing in their pursuit of becoming the best version of themselves.
READ MORE: When Is Mikaela Shiffrin Competing at the Winter Olympics? Full Schedule and Medal Prospects
Shiffrin experienced a setback at the 2022 Beijing Games, where she competed in her technical events but failed to earn a podium finish. She later revealed that she faced a mental block and received support from fellow athletes like Simone Biles.
This time, before entering the season and the Olympics, the 30-year-old improved her communication skills, especially by providing timely updates about her mental health to her team.
However, the two-time Olympic gold medalist also feels the weight more in Milan-Cortina, as the heartbreak from Beijing continues to linger in her mind.
