Mikaela Shiffrin stepped it up when the lights were the brightest on Wednesday. The United States alpine ski racer competed in the slalom final of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, and she came out with an awe-inspiring performance.
Shiffrin entered the race with eight consecutive losses in Olympic competition, dating back to the Beijing Winter Games four years ago. The last time she won gold was in 2018 in PyeongChang. Shiffrin repeated that feat on Wednesday with a first-place finish in the slalom race. The 30-year-old dominated the field, finishing 1.50 seconds ahead of second-placer Camille Rast of Switzerland.
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Shiffrin fought back tears as she spoke to reporters after winning the race. While the decorated skier was overjoyed by her success, Shiffrin was also feeling sad that her father was not beside her.
Shiffrin unexpectedly lost his dad to a home accident in 2020. Wednesday’s win was the first time she bagged an Olympic gold medal without her dad by her side.
“Part of my journey through grief has been challenging because I don't feel this thing that a lot of people talk about, this deep spiritual connection with their loved one,” said Shiffrin. “People talk about feeling the presence. And I haven't felt it in that way. I feel it in that I think about my dad all of the time. So I feel connected to him, in my thoughts and in talking about him.”
Shiffrin did not hold back in her raw display of emotion.
"Sometimes I've also been resentful of the people who talk about feeling this person, like, ‘Oh, they're here with me. They're carrying me through this day,’” she continued. “And I'm like, ‘Where?’ Like, ‘The [expletive].’ Sorry. Why do you get to feel that? Why can't it just be easier?
"Today, maybe I just get to talk to him. And maybe he doesn't have to specifically answer. Which is hard, but it's okay."
Shiffrin apologized for her blunt statement. She knew that she did not have to swear, but the three-time Olympic gold medalist just couldn’t help herself. Shiffrin let her emotions get the better of her as she expressed her deep sorrow.
The silver lining for Shiffrin is her gold medal. She would have loved to celebrate this moment with her father. It was a bittersweet feeling for Shiffrin, but it does not detract from her historic feat at the Winter Olympics.