Shiffrin Eyes Milano Cortina 2026 with a Mindset of Opportunity, Not Pressure, as She Prepares for a Busy World Cup Season…

 Makaela Shiffrin Eyes Milano Cortina 2026 with a Mindset of Opportunity, Not Pressure, as She Prepares for a Busy World Cup Season

 

As the countdown to the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics begins, Mikaela Shiffrin is setting her sights on more than just medals. The American skiing star is focusing on competing with a renewed mindset — one centered on gratitude, self-determination, and opportunity rather than pressure and expectation.

After a decorated career that includes two Olympic gold medals, seven world championship titles, and more World Cup wins than any skier in history, Shiffrin knows what it feels like to carry the weight of expectations. But heading into the next Olympic cycle, the 30-year-old is embracing a different approach.

“I want to go to the next Olympics with the sense that it’s a privilege and an opportunity, not a burden,” Shiffrin said in a recent interview. “I’m not going to define myself by results. I want to ski because I love it and compete on my own terms.”

This shift in perspective comes after years of both triumph and adversity. Shiffrin has openly spoken about the emotional toll of elite competition, particularly following the sudden death of her father in 2020. While she returned to racing and continued her record-breaking trajectory, the experience reshaped how she views her career and goals.

Now, with less than a year and a half until the Games in Italy, Shiffrin is preparing for another demanding season on the World Cup circuit. Her provisional schedule includes 16 technical races — primarily slalom and giant slalom — disciplines in which she has long dominated. The upcoming season will not only serve as preparation for Milano Cortina but also as a test of her ability to maintain balance, health, and joy in her skiing.

“Staying healthy is key,” she emphasized. “If I can manage that and still find excitement in each race, then I know I’m doing something right.”

Shiffrin’s approach is also shaped by her role as a veteran in the sport. With more than a decade at the top, she’s become a mentor and role model to younger athletes, and she recognizes the responsibility that comes with that visibility. Her honesty about mental health, pressure, and self-compassion has resonated far beyond the ski world.

As for what she hopes to achieve in 2026, Shiffrin is careful not to set specific medal goals. Instead, she’s focusing on the process — refining her technique, adapting to different courses, and managing the emotional side of competition. “Of course I want to perform well,” she said, “but I also want to look back and know that I truly enjoyed the journey.”

With her sights set on Milano Cortina, Shiffrin is entering the next phase of her career not just as a champion, but as an athlete determined to redefine success on her own terms.