Mikaela Shiffrin, a two-time Olympic slalom champion, has decided to shift her training focus this season towards giant slalom and super-G events. The Colorado-based ski racer revealed her new strategy, describing it as a season of exploration following her recent successes in slalom at the Milan Cortina Games and the World Cup season.
The upcoming season will kick off on October 24 with a giant slalom race in Soelden, Austria, marking the beginning of Shiffrin’s transition. She plans to make her first slalom appearance in Killington, Vt., over Thanksgiving weekend before proceeding further.
In a statement, the 31-year-old athlete emphasized that her shift in focus does not reflect a decrease in dedication but rather a desire for new challenges and experiences. Shiffrin’s aim is to explore different opportunities and push her limits in the upcoming competitions.
Shiffrin secured her sixth overall World Cup title by a margin of 87 points over Emma Aicher from Germany. Additionally, she clinched the crystal globe in slalom by surpassing Camille Rast from Switzerland.
While Shiffrin excelled in slalom and giant slalom, she aims to improve her performance in super-G events where she previously ranked outside the top 30. Despite her accomplishments, Shiffrin expressed her continued ambition, competitiveness, and passion for skiing fast, highlighting her commitment to the sport.
Apart from her athletic pursuits, Shiffrin intends to focus on her podcast, “What’s the Point with Mikaela Shiffrin,” as part of her multifaceted approach to the season ahead.
