🎿 The start of the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup season is always a highly anticipated event, but this year, it came with a candid admission from arguably the sport’s biggest star, Mikaela Shiffrin. Speaking exclusively with PEOPLE just one week before the season officially kicked off on October 25th, the Olympic medalist and record-shattering skier didn’t mince words about her current form.
🚧 A Champion’s Honest Assessment
Shiffrin, now 30, offered a surprisingly grounded and honest assessment of her readiness to dominate the slopes. While fans are eager to see her continue her record-breaking tear, she admitted that she’s currently “Not at Winning Speed.” This isn’t the usual bravado you hear from an elite athlete on the eve of competition; it’s a realistic check-in from a champion who understands exactly what it takes to be truly unbeatable.
This refreshing transparency offers a unique look into the mind of a competitor who has already achieved legendary status. Shiffrin is not simply aiming to compete; she’s aiming to win—and she knows she hasn’t quite reached that peak competitive level yet.
🛠️ The Long Road to Milan-Cortina 2026
The admission is particularly noteworthy given the looming date of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina. For Shiffrin, every World Cup race over the next two seasons is a crucial step toward preparing for the pinnacle of winter sport. She is acutely aware that the speed required to sweep Olympic medals is a different beast entirely from World Cup consistency.
But there is a silver lining in her honest appraisal: she is “Working on It.”
This is the phase of intense dedication where a champion refines every fraction of a second, every turn, and every mental hurdle. Her focus now is not on instant glory, but on the meticulous, day-by-day process of rebuilding and sharpening the razor-edge competitive speed that has defined her career.
Shiffrin’s journey this season is therefore less about simply adding wins to the tally and more about a strategic, incremental climb back to peak form. It’s a compelling storyline for fans: watching a dominant athlete intentionally work her way back to the level of “winning speed” just in time for the Olympic spotlight. The road to 2026 has officially begun, and Shiffrin is ready for the grind.