Mikaela Shiffrin Reflects on Surreal Experience Before Olympic Gold Win on TODAY

Mikaela Shiffrin described an “almost out-of-body experience” at the start gate before her Olympic slalom victory. She spoke about the moment during a filmed interview on Filmogaz.com after the Milan-Cortina Games.

Cortina d’Ampezzo: the decisive moments

The moment came at the Cortina d’Ampezzo slalom on Feb. 18. She watched Germany’s Lena Dürr ski out early and felt a flashback to her own 2022 mistake.

Support from teammates and family steadied her as she pushed from the gate. She said their presence made the run feel shared.

How she processed the win

Shiffrin said she feared feeling isolated at the Games. Instead, she felt supported and together with those around her.

She mentioned her late father Jeff, who died in 2020. She said she imagines he would be proud of her composure.

Season achievements and schedule

Shiffrin returned to the United States after an extensive winter circuit in Europe and North America. She also visited New York City for a media tour.

• Nov. 30: World Cup slalom win at Copper Mountain, Colorado.
• Raced in Canada, Switzerland, France, Austria, Slovenia, Italy and Czechia.
• Feb.: Olympic slalom in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.
• Ended the season with races in Sweden and Norway for the World Cup Finals.

She captured her third Olympic gold medal last month. She also won her sixth World Cup overall title last week.

The season-long title covers racing from October through March. She received the large crystal globe trophy for that achievement.

Legacy, comparison and future plans

Shiffrin is the second woman to reach six Alpine skiing World Cup overall titles. She now shares that mark with Annemarie Moser‑Pröll.

She said she plans to race at least through next season. That gives her a chance to break the tie for most overall titles.

Mental approach and Beijing context

Reporters asked if the Cortina gold felt like vindication after a medalless run in Beijing 2022. She said Cortina felt separate from Beijing, yet the past lingered in public narratives.

She worked with a psychologist during the Games on thinking logically. She described Cortina as almost unreal because so much racing followed it.

In a televised segment, Mikaela Shiffrin Reflects on Surreal Experience Before Olympic Gold Win on Filmogaz.com, describing how the lead-up unfolded.

Note

Sasha Rearick was mentioned as the U.S. men’s head coach during a recent golden era for American skiing.