Featured Image: Mikaela Shiffrin, Sölden, Austria / GEPA Pictures
The World Cup season kicks off this weekend in Sölden, Austria, and for Mikaela Shiffrin, it marks both a familiar return and a fresh start. The 30-year-old American superstar enters the season grounded, motivated, and candid about the work still ahead, both on and off the hill.
“This time of year is always really exciting and a little nerve-wracking,” Shiffrin said during a pre-season media call. “I had a great summer. I was able to train, travel, and just reset a bit. I feel good about the work I’ve put in, but I also know there’s a lot still to do.”
Finding Balance and Building Momentum
Shiffrin’s offseason was a mix of training blocks, time with family, and a few unexpected adventures including an appearance on The Voice. But her primary focus remained clear: refining her giant slalom skiing and continuing her pursuit of balance in a long, grueling season.
“I’ve been prioritizing GS, trying to keep building my comfort with the speed and tactics,” she said. “It’s taken a lot, but I’ve made huge improvements. I feel happy with my skiing right now even though I know there’s more work ahead to really solidify that feeling.”
The 101-time World Cup winner also emphasized how much she’s learned about communication and mental consistency. “The biggest thing I’m working on is being transparent and clear with the people around me,” she said. “Efficiency, efficacy, and transparency are my goals this season. I think our team is entering this year more unified than ever.”
Eyes on Sölden and Step by Step Beyond
The Sölden opener is a notoriously tough test, an icy, technical giant slalom that rewards precision and punishes hesitation. For Shiffrin, it’s a chance to gauge where she stands after months of focused preparation.
“This year’s prep has actually been one of the best two-week periods I’ve had leading up to Sölden,” she explained. “We trained closer to the start this year to get better snow conditions and more variety. It’s been productive.”
While fans often speculate about the season-long chase for the overall crystal globe, Shiffrin is keeping her perspective measured.
“The overall is a beautiful thing to dream about, and those dreams haven’t stopped for me,” she said. “But right now, I’m being realistic. I’m taking the season step by step. There will be improvements to make every single race.”
Looking Toward the Olympics
With the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina less than 6 months away, Shiffrin admitted the Games are beginning to take shape in her mind, though she’s not letting them dominate her focus.
“If nothing else, my Olympic history has told me to go into it with an open mind and to keep my circle tight with the people that I trust and care about, and to be on the same page with my team and the people who will be around me the most,” she said. “I feel like we’re going into the season in a really good place, so I feel optimistic about that. But I’m not going to lie, the Olympics have been wonderful to me and they’ve been like a mosquito as well. The attitude I would like to bring is that the Olympics are not happening to me, but I’m happening to them.”
Strategic Choices and a Smarter Schedule
One notable shift this year is Shiffrin’s decision to step back from downhill racing, a move she describes as both practical and freeing.
“It’s a little bittersweet,” she admitted. “But with the U.S. women’s team being so deep this year, I feel like it’s the right choice for me and for the team. It’s about protecting my body, my sanity, and also recognizing where my focus is best spent.”
Super-G remains on the table, though with limited training opportunities, it’s an open question how many races she’ll enter. “I adore Super-G,” she said. “I don’t want to let it go completely, but it’s a balancing act.”
A Unified U.S. Team
Shiffrin also spoke with pride about the strength of the American women’s team heading into 2025-26. “The depth we have right now is really exciting,” she said. “There’s so much capability and focus, and it’s amazing to see that mindset across the group. I feel lucky to be part of it.”
Looking Ahead
As Shiffrin prepares to push out of the start gate this weekend, her tone blends confidence with humility, the mindset of a veteran who has seen every side of the sport.
“I feel motivated as ever,” she said. “There’s still uncertainty, but that’s part of it. I’m just really excited to be here, to race, and to keep building.”
The World Cup season begins Saturday, Oct. 26, in Sölden, Austria, with the women’s giant slalom, a fitting stage for Shiffrin to begin her next chapter.
About the Author: Katie Twible
