CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, 18 February 2026 – American alpine skiing icon Mikaela Shiffrin has taken a significant step toward reclaiming Olympic glory, delivering a dominant performance in the first run of the women’s slalom at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Games. Shiffrin, who entered the day seeking her first Olympic medal in eight years, currently holds a commanding lead as the competition heads into the final decider.
Olympic Slalom: Shiffrin Charges to Early Lead
On Wednesday morning at the Tofane venue, Shiffrin silenced critics following a challenging start to these Games. After finishing 11th in the giant slalom on Sunday and narrowly missing the podium in the team combined event, the 30-year-old specialist returned to her signature discipline with clinical precision.
Shiffrin posted the fastest time in Run 1, clocking in at 47.13 seconds. This performance gives her a substantial 0.82-second cushion over her nearest rival, Germany’s Lena Dürr. With the second run scheduled for later today, Shiffrin is the clear favourite to secure what would be her first Olympic gold medal since the PyeongChang 2018 Games.
A Historic Career by the Numbers
Regardless of today’s final result, Shiffrin’s status as the greatest alpine skier in history is firmly established. Earlier this month, she extended her record for the most World Cup victories by any skier, surpassing the legendary Ingemar Stenmark. Her career is defined by unprecedented consistency across all alpine disciplines, particularly in the technical events of slalom and giant slalom.
| Statistic | Career Achievement |
|---|---|
| Total World Cup Wins | 108 |
| World Cup Podiums | 164 |
| Slalom World Cup Wins | 71 |
| Overall World Cup Titles | 5 (2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023) |
| Global Medals (WC & Olympics) | 18 |
| Olympic Gold Medals | 2 (2014 Slalom, 2018 Giant Slalom) |
The Road to 108 Wins
Shiffrin’s journey to 108 World Cup victories has been a decade-long masterclass. After breaking Lindsey Vonn’s female record of 82 wins in early 2023, she quickly eclipsed Stenmark’s overall mark of 86. Her 100th victory, achieved during the 2024-25 season, marked a milestone many experts believed was impossible in the modern era of skiing.
In the current 2025-26 season leading up to the Olympics, Shiffrin has continued to add to her tally, including a sentimental 104th victory on home snow at Copper Mountain in November 2025. While she has faced stiff competition this season from the likes of Austria’s Julia Scheib and New Zealand’s Alice Robinson, her performance today in Cortina suggests she has found her peak form at the critical moment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many World Cup wins does Mikaela Shiffrin have?
As of 18 February 2026, Mikaela Shiffrin has won 108 World Cup races, the most of any alpine skier in history.
When was the last time Shiffrin won an Olympic medal?
Shiffrin’s last Olympic medals were won at the 2018 PyeongChang Games, where she took gold in the giant slalom and silver in the combined. She is currently competing for her first medal of the 2026 Milano-Cortina Games.
What happened in Shiffrin’s giant slalom race on Sunday?
Shiffrin finished 11th in the women’s giant slalom on 15 February 2026. Despite the result, she remained upbeat, describing the performance as a step forward in her preparation for the slalom event.
Who are Mikaela Shiffrin’s parents?
Mikaela is the daughter of Eileen and the late Jeff Shiffrin. Her mother, Eileen, has been a long-time coach and a constant presence throughout her record-breaking career.