Mikaela Shiffrin Wins Third Olympic Slalom Gold, 1.5‑Second Margin, Dedicates Victory to Late Father

Updated 2026-02-18 21:32:44+00:00 (10 articles)

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United States' Mikaela Shiffrin at the finish area of an alpine ski, women's giant slalom race, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo. (Credit: AP) Source Full size
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United States' Mikaela Shiffrin speeds down the course during women's slalom race at the 2026 Winter Olympics, Feb. 18, 2026. (Credit: AP) Source Full size
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United States' Mikaela Shiffrin speeds down the course during women's slalom race at the 2026 Winter Olympics, Feb. 18, 2026. (Credit: AP) Source Full size

Shiffrin Secures Slalom Gold with 1.5‑Second Margin On Feb 18 2026 in Cortina d’Ampezzo, the 30‑year‑old American posted a combined time of 1:39.10, beating France’s Camille Rust by exactly 1.50 seconds to claim the women’s slalom title [1][2][3][4]. Her blistering first run of 47.13 seconds gave her a 1.05‑second lead, which she extended after a rival, Lena Duerr, missed the opening gate [1]. The win represents the largest Olympic Alpine slalom margin since 1998 and the third‑largest ever in women’s slalom [3].

Victory Marks Third Olympic Slalom Title and Ends Eight‑Year Drought The gold is Shiffrin’s third Olympic slalom triumph (2014, 2018, 2026) and makes her the first U.S. skier with three Alpine gold medals [2][3][4]. It ends an eight‑year Olympic medal drought that began after her 2018 podium finish and follows a 0‑for‑6 showing in Beijing 2022 [2][3]. U.S. Ski & Snowboard chief Sophie Goldschmidt praised the performance as “well‑deserved” amid intense Olympic pressure [3].

Dedication to Late Father Shapes Emotional Win Throughout the race Shiffrin thought of her father Jeff, who died in a 2020 Colorado home accident, describing the moment as “being born again” and a way to accept his absence [1][2][3]. She posted an Instagram entry repeating “I won” four times, emphasizing the mental‑health work she completed after a 2024 puncture injury and therapy [1]. The dedication was highlighted during the medal ceremony, where she hugged her mother and acknowledged fiancé Alexander Aamodt Kilde [1].

Season Dominance and Record‑Breaking World Cup Achievements Entering Cortina as the heavy favourite, Shiffrin had already won seven of eight World Cup slalom races this season and secured her ninth overall slalom title [2][7]. She holds 108 World Cup victories—the most ever in alpine skiing—and nine slalom globes, underscoring her sustained dominance [2][7]. Her performance in the Olympic slalom added a historic 12‑year gap between slalom golds, a first in Winter Olympic history [1].

Team USA Mixed Results and Broadcast Details American teammates Paula Moltzan, AJ Hurt and Nina O’Brien posted mixed outcomes, with Moltzan briefly leading before finishing off the podium and O’Brien failing to finish her first run [4][5][6]. The slalom runs were streamed at 4 a.m. ET and 7:30 a.m. ET on Peacock and NBCOlympics.com, with the U.S. field highlighted in pre‑race coverage [5][6].

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Timeline

2020 – Shiffrin’s father Jeff dies in a Colorado home accident, a loss that later shapes her mental approach and dedication to competition [1][2][3].

Feb 2022 – At the Beijing Winter Olympics, Shiffrin crashes out of both giant slalom and slalom, leaving without a medal and beginning an eight‑year Olympic podium drought [1][3].

Dec 2024 – She suffers a crash at Killington that punctures a wound and damages stomach muscles, leading to a year‑long “invisible injury” and prompting therapy for mental‑health recovery [1].

Dec 16, 2025 – She wins a night slalom in Courchevel, France, marking her 105th World Cup victory, posting a 1.55‑second margin and extending her lead in the overall World Cup standings with 558 points [7].

Dec 25, 2025 – She opens the Olympic season with four consecutive World Cup slalom wins, delivering a flawless start and raising expectations for competing in up to four Olympic events in Cortina (slalom, giant slalom, super‑G, team) [6].

Jan 13, 2026 – She captures her 107th World Cup win at the Flachau night slalom, her sixth victory on that course and her 70th slalom win, reinforcing her dominance ahead of the Games [5].

Feb 6, 2026 – The Milan‑Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics open, with Shiffrin entering as the heavy favourite after winning seven of eight World Cup slalom races that season [4].

Early Feb 2026 – In the women’s combined event, Shiffrin posts a “bafflingly slow” run that drops her to 15th place and eliminates her from medal contention, underscoring the razor‑thin margins of Olympic competition [4][8][10].

Mid‑Feb 2026 – She finishes 11th in the Olympic giant slalom, just 0.3 seconds behind the bronze medalist, showing she remains competitive despite recent setbacks [4][8][9][10].

Feb 18, 2026 – She wins the women’s slalom in Cortina d’Ampezzo with a combined time of 1:39.10, a 1.5‑second margin—the largest Olympic Alpine slalom victory since 1998—earning her third Olympic gold, her first medal in eight years, and making her the first U.S. skier with three Alpine golds; she dedicates the win to her late father, saying she feels “at peace” and “born again” while thinking of him [1][2][3][9].

Future (post‑Feb 2026) – With a record ninth World Cup slalom title and 108 career World Cup victories, she is positioned to continue competing in upcoming World Cup events and potentially add to her Olympic legacy in future Games [4][5][6].