Stifel U.S. Ski Team’s Mikaela Shiffrin, a titan in Alpine skiing, has earned an incredible 97 World Cup victories, five overall titles, and two Olympic gold medals. Her success has captivated fans worldwide, and her rivalry with Petra Vlhová has fueled excitement across the sport. In an exclusive interview with Ski Racing Media, Shiffrin spoke about the impact of her competition with Vlhová, the evolution of her mindset, and her thoughts on the current women’s World Cup field.
Reflecting on the Petra Vlhová Rivalry: “It’s Been Really Pretty Cool”
Shiffrin and Vlhová have raced head-to-head for over a decade, pushing each other to their limits. Their rivalry has been incredibly intense in Levi, where both have consistently fought for the top spot. Reflecting on these battles, Shiffrin calls it “really pretty cool” to look back over their years of competing together. “We’ve both pushed so hard to take the top spot at this race,” she says, highlighting Vlhová’s recent Levi performances as some of the best she’s seen on that slope. “Some of her recent runs are really the best I’ve ever seen on this slope, and it motivates me to try harder, to be more precise with my skiing.”
Shiffrin admits that Vlhová’s absence this year will change the dynamic in Levi. “We will be feeling her absence for sure,” she says. However, she remains aware of the strong talent within the field. “There’s a lot of really strong racers and a handful of women who have the potential to win this race,” she explains, adding that while Vlhová won’t be there to push her directly, she still feels motivated to ski her best.
Rivalries Drive Performance—But Focus on Self Brings Out the Best
For Shiffrin, rivalries are both a motivator and a learning experience. She believes that competing with someone as talented as Vlhová has raised her performance level over the years. “I absolutely think that some of the intensity of our races against each other has brought a new level to my own skiing,” Shiffrin shares. “For sure, the strongest competition over a sustained period of time has been with Petra.”
This rivalry, she believes, has also enriched the sport for fans. “Rivalries give fans an avenue to cheer for someone or even against someone,” she says, acknowledging that the dynamic draws viewers back time and again. “It’s a double-edged sword because, on one hand, we race our best when we’re not thinking about each other, but focusing on our own path.”
There’s an irony in a rivalry, she points out: the competition within it is strongest when the competitors focus on their own performance rather than each other. “The irony of a rivalry is that it’s at its strongest when the players are focused on themselves the most,” she explains. “Your best competition happens when you’re focused on your own tools for success.”
Learning to Block Out the Noise: The Key to Longevity in Ski Racing
Throughout her career, Shiffrin has learned the importance of mental resilience. The pressure of breaking records or meeting expectations can be intense, but she has developed a mindset that helps her stay focused on her own performance. “When I keep my mindset focused on skiing well, on implementing the tools, tactics, and fundamentals that I’ve been working on in training—that’s when my competition is at its highest level,” she says.
However, Shiffrin acknowledges that staying focused on the task isn’t always easy. “There have been years where I’ve been more aware of expectations, maybe even a little distracted by them,” she admits. She recalls her 50th World Cup victory as a turning point: “I remember being so focused on that number, and then realizing that it was making me more nervous. I thought, ‘This is silly. Why should this make me more nervous?’” Despite knowing she cares deeply about her achievements, Shiffrin now tries to minimize the weight she places on external expectations and focuses on what she and her team are doing.
Shiffrin’s team has also been a key motivator, especially on days when the physical and mental demands feel overwhelming. “If I need extra motivation, all I have to do is look at what my team is doing to give me the best preparation,” she says. “On the days when I don’t particularly want to get out of bed, I get up and do it for them.”
The Competitiveness of the World Cup Field: “Never Underestimate Anyone”
Shiffrin knows that the field remains fierce as she prepares for Levi, even without Vlhová. While her rivalry with Vlhová has driven her to new heights, she’s keenly aware of other challengers on the course. “I really feel like there’s a handful of women who can fight for the podium and for winning this race,” she says, listing competitors like Lena Dürr, Paula Moltzan, and Anna Swenn-Larsson as examples of athletes who can put up an impressive fight if they’re skiing at their best.
Shiffrin explains that she never underestimates any of her competitors, from seasoned podium finishers to emerging talents. “Sometimes, you see names pop up that make you go, ‘Wow, they made some steps this summer,’” she says, noting that the level of competition is so high that if she’s not performing at her best, she risks missing out on qualifying entirely. “If I don’t ski my best, I might not even make the flip.”
In the high-stakes world of ski racing, even a few seconds can be the difference between a podium finish and falling behind. “In ski racing, we always say three seconds is an enormous margin, but in my opinion, it’s not that hard to lose that time if things aren’t clicking,” Shiffrin observes. Her approach to each race remains the same: focus on her best skiing and keep her “foot on the gas.”
Keeping Motivation High Without Vlhová
For Shiffrin, competing in Levi without Vlhová is strange but not a reason to relax. “It’s strange not to see Petra here,” she says. “She has pushed the limits on this hill, and she’s skied it better than I’ve ever seen anyone ski it, including myself.” Shiffrin acknowledges Vlhová’s dominance in Levi, saying that even in her absence, she remains motivated to perform well on a slope that holds significance in their rivalry.
“I know that if Petra were here, she’d be pushing all out, so I want to do her legacy justice and push myself as hard as I can,” she says, underscoring how her rival’s impact continues to inspire her even when they aren’t face-to-face on the course.
Embracing a Legacy and Looking Forward
As Shiffrin heads into the season, she carries the lessons of her career and her rivalries with her. She has learned to stay grounded, focus on herself, and find motivation within her team. Whether skiing against her most formidable competitors or rising talents, Shiffrin remains a symbol of resilience, mental toughness, and skill in Alpine skiing.
The road ahead may bring new challenges, but as Shiffrin prepares for Levi, her focus is unwavering: she’s ready to ski her best, embrace the competition, and continue building her extraordinary legacy.
About the Author: Peter Lange
