🌟 As the Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympic season gets underway, Alpine skiing icon Mikaela Shiffrin offered a candid glimpse into her mental and physical preparation in a recent Q&A, touching on everything from her technical comfort level to the absence of her long-time competitor.
Making Peace with the Olympics
Following the challenging Beijing Games in 2022, Shiffrin is determined to approach the upcoming Olympics with a new, healthier mindset. Her goal is to “make peace” with the Games, stating, “I don’t want Beijing to be the reason that I’m scared of the Olympics.”
The focus, she explains, is not on unfinished business, but on momentum. She believes that consistent World Cup performance is the key to building the confidence needed to succeed on the sport’s biggest stage. This year, the Games return to the familiar ground of Cortina, a venue Shiffrin knows well, which she says is a welcome change from past, more remote locations.
The Missing Rivalry: Petra Vlhova
The conversation inevitably turned to her fierce, yet respectful, rivalry with Slovakia’s Petra Vlhova, who remains sidelined following a severe knee injury in January 2024. Shiffrin was openly supportive, expressing genuine excitement to see any update showing Vlhova on the snow.
“I am really excited to see any post that she’s done in ski boots, on the mountain,” Shiffrin shared. The American recognizes the difficulty of returning from a long-term injury and the foundational strength Vlhova is building—a recovery path Shiffrin knows well, albeit from a less severe injury last season.
Realistic Approach to Speed Events
In addressing her technical progression after injury, Shiffrin remains honest. While she loves the Super-G, she’s taking a step-by-step approach. Her immediate focus is ensuring her Giant Slalom is at a “secure” level before fully committing to the speed disciplines.
Crucially, she confirmed she will not be racing Downhill this season. This tactical decision, she notes, is based on protecting her physical and mental health, and also acknowledging the impressive depth of the US Downhill team. Shiffrin is concentrating on the disciplines where she can truly contend, working diligently to improve her comfort on challenging courses with “chatter marks” and ruts.