Mikaela Shiffrin Has Reduced Slalom Participation

The alpine skiing star will prioritize giant slalom and super-G events for the upcoming World Cup season.

Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Skiing

Expressive editorial sports illustration of a skier carving through deep snow, capturing the energy of alpine mountain sports. — Olympic champion Mikaela Shiffrin will reduce her slalom event schedule this season to focus on giant slalom and super-G competitions. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you prefer when athletes shift their focus to explore new challenges in their sport?

Olympic champion Mikaela Shiffrin announced she will scale back her slalom appearances this season to pursue different disciplines and spend time at her Colorado home. She plans to skip races in Finland and Austria, focusing instead on her giant slalom and super-G programs.

Why it matters

By shifting her focus away from the slalom, Shiffrin aims to follow her personal curiosity and explore new challenges within the sport. This decision marks a significant change for the athlete as she balances her record-breaking career with recovery and training needs.

Shiffrin holds 73 career World Cup slalom victories and 22 giant slalom wins. She finished the 2025-26 season ranked fourth in World Cup giant slalom points.

The players

Mikaela Shiffrin

She is an American alpine ski racer who has won Olympic gold medals and numerous World Championship titles.

The details

Shiffrin is scheduled to begin her slalom season on November 29 in Killington, Vermont, following her participation in the season-opening giant slalom in Sölden, Austria. She will avoid the traditional stops in Levi, Finland, and Gurgl, Austria, as she manages her schedule.

November 30, 2024: Shiffrin crashed during a giant slalom race.
February 2025: Shiffrin was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
October 24, 2026: Shiffrin is expected to compete in Sölden.
November 29, 2026: Shiffrin is scheduled to race her first slalom.
February 2027: World Championships will be held in Crans-Montana.

Season Trajectory

This strategic pivot marks a major departure from the dominance established during the 2013-2019 World Championships slalom streak. The decision recalibrates Shiffrin's pursuit of further titles as she shifts her focus toward giant slalom and super-G events.

Shiffrin will bypass the slalom events in Levi and Gurgl, limiting her early-season points potential in that discipline. Her confirmed attendance in Killington provides a specific date for fans to witness her return to the slalom course.

The takeaway

Shiffrin’s decision to limit her slalom schedule highlights the physical and mental demands of high-level alpine racing. Athletes often reevaluate their disciplines to ensure long-term performance and personal well-being.