Mikaela Shiffrin shifts focus to giant slalom and super-G

Olympic alpine skier Mikaela Shiffrin has announced an “exploration season” for her upcoming World Cup circuit, marking a strategic shift in her competitive focus. The three-time Olympic champion plans to prioritize training and competing in giant slalom and super-G disciplines rather than her signature slalom event.

To allow sufficient time for preparation and recovery, Shiffrin will limit her slalom starts, with her first planned appearance in the discipline occurring in Killington at the end of November. This decision means she will miss key early-season races in Levi, Finland, and Gurgul, Austria. Shiffrin expressed concern regarding how fans and young athletes might react to this change, emphasizing that she is not retiring from slalom but seeking more space to evolve as a skier.

Beyond the slopes, Shiffrin is also evolving her media presence. In the second year of her podcast, “What’s the Point,” she intends to adopt a more “off-script” and free-flowing interview style. Her upcoming episodes will feature various sports figures, including Ilia Malinin, Ilona Maher, Iga Swiatek, and Mike Tirico, focusing on the themes of success and motivation.