Mikaela Shiffrin Addresses Olympic Setback in Team Combined Event
The greatest skier in history, Mikaela Shiffrin, has spoken out after a surprising loss in the women's team combined event at the Winter Olympics, missing out on a medal despite a golden opportunity. The 2026 Games now present a chance for redemption for the most decorated skier ever, following a subpar performance at the previous Beijing Olympics where she aimed to continue her World Cup dominance.
A Missed Opportunity with Teammate Breezy Johnson
Shiffrin's path to the podium seemed assured when teammate Breezy Johnson, who secured gold in the downhill, posted the best time in her segment of the team combined. All Shiffrin needed was a solid run in the slalom—a discipline she has mastered like no other—to claim her first medal since the 2018 Pyeongchang Games.
However, she started slowly out of the gate and recorded one of the worst times of her illustrious career. This performance, combined with Johnson's effort, resulted in a fourth-place finish, squandering Shiffrin's initial medal chance at the event.
Heartfelt Social Media Statement After the Loss
Days after the heartbreak, the Colorado-born, Vermont-raised skier addressed the shortcoming in a poignant post on her social media accounts. Statistically the greatest skier of all time, Shiffrin failed to medal in her best discipline, with her slow slalom time leading to the fourth-place result despite Johnson's downhill excellence.
'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 in her statement.
'I am here for the skiing and the execution of my turns. My skiing in the first race didn't come together the way I visualized. I fought for every hundredth and didn't totally find the right execution.'
She added, 'This was certainly cause for some disappointment, even amid the most wonderful celebration of [bronze medalists] Jackie [Wiles] and Paula [Moltzan].'
Lessons Learned and Forward Focus
Shiffrin continued, 'That's ski racing: fine margins, endless changing variables, and constant adaptation. We've taken the lessons, analyzed and adjusted, and are moving forward—with focus, intention, and belief in the practice.'
'The Olympics ask us to take a real risk on the world stage. One that requires courage and vulnerability to erroneous judgement and narratives built on a limited understanding of what this sport truly demands. And it all matters in the story of becoming the best version of ourselves.'
She concluded, 'I'm grateful to be here, motivated and excited for what's next, and proud to be a part of this American team. May we all champion one another, tread lightly on what we don't fully comprehend, and have the fortitude to keep showing up. Go Team USA.'
Upcoming Chances for Individual Glory
Shiffrin's Olympic journey in Cortina d'Ampezzo is far from over. She is set to compete in the giant slalom and slalom events in the coming days, offering opportunities for individual redemption after failing to medal at the 2022 Beijing Games.
This season, Shiffrin ranks fourth in the World Cup standings for giant slalom, with a season-best third-place finish at Spindleruv Mlyn in Czechia just before the Olympics. Historically, she finished fifth in giant slalom at the 2014 Sochi Games before winning gold in 2018, though she did not finish in Beijing.
All eyes will be on her in the slalom, where she has dominated the World Cup circuit this year, winning seven of eight events with the only other result being a second-place finish in Slovenia. She won gold in Sochi at age 18, placed fourth in South Korea, and did not finish in Beijing.
The women's giant slalom begins at 4:00 AM ET (10:00 AM in Italy) on Sunday, followed by the slalom at the same time on Wednesday.
