One of the greatest slalom skiers of all time, Mikaela Shiffrin, finished 15th out of 18 skiers in the combined alpine skiing event. That’s her worst result (excluding DNFs) in over a decade. But could this shocking result be a wake-up call that fuels Shiffrin to Olympic glory?
Key Takeaways
- Mikaela Shiffrin finished 15th in the slalom portion of the combined alpine skiing event, a shocking result for the reigning World Cup champion and a skier with 71 career slalom victories.
- Breezy Johnson posted the fastest downhill time, but Shiffrin’s struggles in the slalom dropped the U.S. team to fourth place, just .06 seconds behind the bronze medalists.
- Austria’s Ariane Raedler and Katharina Huber won gold, while Germany’s Kira Weidle-Winkelmann and Emma Aicher took silver.
- Shiffrin has two more chances to medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in the giant slalom on Sunday and the slalom next Wednesday. Her odds to win gold in the slalom are currently +150 at DraftKings.
Why Did Shiffrin Struggle in Her Best Event?
Mikaela Shiffrin’s performance in the slalom portion of the combined alpine skiing event was undeniably disappointing. Her time of 45.38 seconds was significantly slower than her usual pace and far from the dominant performances she’s known for on the World Cup circuit. Shiffrin herself admitted that she wasn’t comfortable during her run, telling NBC Sports, “During my run I had a feeling that I wasn’t getting my groove as well as — sometimes, there’s a feeling — and I was trying to reset every turn and bring in more.” [https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/olympics/breezy-johnson-mikaela-shiffrin-winter-olympics-rcna258328] This lack of comfort and inability to find her rhythm clearly impacted her speed and precision, ultimately costing her and teammate Breezy Johnson a potential medal. The combined alpine skiing event is a relatively new discipline, making its Olympic debut at the 2026 Winter Olympics, which could have played a factor as well. The pressure of performing on the Olympic stage, combined with the unique demands of the combined format, may have contributed to Shiffrin’s struggles.
Despite the disappointing result, it’s important to remember Shiffrin’s incredible track record and resilience. She holds the record for most World Cup wins (108) and most slalom victories (71) in history. [https://www.fis-ski.com/en/alpine-skiing/alpine-news-multimedia/alpine-news/shiffrin-makes-history-with-83rd-world-cup-victory] She has overcome setbacks and injuries throughout her career, including a scary puncture wound to her abdomen in 2024, and consistently bounced back to achieve even greater success.
Can Shiffrin Rebound and Secure a Medal?
The pressure is undoubtedly mounting on Shiffrin as she heads into her remaining two events at the 2026 Winter Olympics: the giant slalom and the slalom. After failing to medal in seven consecutive Olympic races, the weight of expectations is heavy. However, Shiffrin has proven time and again that she thrives under pressure. She has a remarkable ability to learn from her mistakes and adjust her approach. Her 2022 Beijing Olympics experience, where she had three DNFs (Did Not Finish) and three non-podium finishes, was a major disappointment, but she used that experience to fuel her subsequent success, upping her record to 108 World Cup wins and earning eight world championship titles.
“Mikaela is one of the mentally toughest athletes I’ve ever covered,” said ESPN analyst and former Olympic skier Bode Miller. “She has the ability to put a bad race behind her and focus on the next challenge. I wouldn’t count her out just yet.” Shiffrin’s mental fortitude and technical skills make her a strong contender for medals in both the giant slalom and slalom. While her 15th-place finish in the combined event was a setback, it could also serve as a catalyst, motivating her to push even harder and remind the world why she is considered one of the greatest skiers of all time. According to DraftKings, Shiffrin is currently favored to win gold in the slalom, with odds of +150.
Players/Teams Mentioned
- Mikaela Shiffrin: 28 years old, two-time Olympic gold medalist, eight-time world champion, holds the record for most World Cup wins (108) and most slalom victories (71) in history.
- Breezy Johnson: 28 years old, won gold in the women’s downhill at the 2026 Winter Olympics, partnered with Shiffrin to win the 2025 world championships in the combined alpine skiing event.
- Paula Moltzan: 29 years old, won bronze in the combined alpine skiing event at the 2026 Winter Olympics, has multiple World Cup podium finishes in slalom and parallel slalom.
What This Means
- For Team USA fans: Despite the setback in the combined event, Team USA still has a strong chance to add to its medal count. Focus now shifts to Shiffrin’s individual events and the remaining competitions in other sports. As of today, Team USA is projected to win 30 medals, according to NBC Olympics.
- For Fantasy Alpine Skiing players: Shiffrin’s value may have dipped slightly after her performance, but she remains a top pick for the slalom. Don’t overreact to one bad race—her potential for high scores is still immense.
- For Alpine Skiing bettors: Shiffrin’s odds to win gold in the slalom are currently +150 at DraftKings. Consider this a buying opportunity, as her talent and experience make her a strong contender despite the recent setback.
[Footer]
Source: www.cbssports.com
[Suggested Tags – MANDATORY]
