Mikaela Shiffrin Headlines Packed Sunday on 2026 Winter Olympics Alpine Skiing Schedule

The second Sunday of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina brings one of the most anticipated alpine moments of the Games: Mikaela Shiffrin in the women's giant slalom. Her return to Olympic GS competition — the event she won in 2018 and the scene of a serious 2024 crash — anchors a busy day that also features speedskating, pairs figure skating and U. S. men's hockey. Below are the highlights and key times in Eastern Time (ET).

Shiffrin's comeback centers giant slalom at 4: 00 a. m. ET

The women's giant slalom kicks off early at 4: 00 a. m. ET, and all eyes will be on Shiffrin as she tests the course she once mastered. The event carries extra emotional weight: it was the race where she claimed Olympic gold in 2018, and it is now part of her return to top-level competition after a severe 2024 crash that left her with a puncture wound and lingering trauma. Competing again in the Olympic giant slalom is a key step in her recovery, both physical and mental, and the field will be sizing up how she handles the pressure and the vertical pitches on a championship giant slalom track.

Beyond Shiffrin, the giant slalom will feature a deep international roster. Expect tight margins, aggressive line choices and variable snow that can separate medal contenders from the rest of the pack. For fans following the 2026 winter olympics alpine skiing schedule, this race is one of the earliest alpine showpieces and sets the tone for the technical weekend.

Sunday snapshot: schedule and other must-watch events (all times ET)

Sunday's slate offers a little something for a range of audiences. Key scheduled events and times to note:

• 4: 00 a. m. ET — Women's giant slalom (alpine skiing)
• 11: 03 a. m. ET — Women's 500m speedskating
• 1: 45 p. m. ET — Pairs figure skating (short program/team segments continue)
• 3: 10 p. m. ET — Men's hockey: USA vs. Germany

The pairs figure skating session will spotlight the American duo that played a crucial role in the team event; their short program can influence momentum heading into the free skate. On the ice, U. S. men's hockey returns to action against Germany in what could be a pivotal game in group play. Meanwhile, speedskating's 500m is a sprint worth watching for its raw speed and split-second margins.

What to expect from the alpine schedule and broadcast rhythm

Alpine competitions often demand early starts to accommodate course preparation and changing light and snow conditions; the 4: 00 a. m. ET start for giant slalom is a reminder that peak alpine action can come at unconventional hours for viewers in the Americas. Weather and course maintenance will be factors, so results and run orders may shift. The giant slalom itself will be contested over two runs, with cumulative times deciding podium positions — rewarding both outright speed and consistency across variable course sections.

For followers tracking the 2026 winter olympics alpine skiing schedule, this Sunday acts as a focal point for technical alpine competition, while the broader program mixes high-speed and judged events throughout the day. Shiffrin's performance will be the headline, but the day offers multiple narratives — from sprint speed on the ice to the artistry of pairs skating and the intensity of Olympic hockey.

Expect close finishes, emotional moments and potentially defining performances that could shape medal tables and athlete storylines as the Games progress.