“Closing My Eyes and Hoping It Would Be Over”: Shiffrin Opens Up About Two Challenges in High-Speed Flachau Victory

“Closing My Eyes and Hoping It Would Be Over”: Shiffrin Opens Up About Two Challenges in High-Speed Flachau Victory

 

Mikaela Shiffrin delivered another masterful performance at the women’s World Cup night slalom in Flachau, Austria, but her latest victory wasn’t without its moments of tension and difficulty. The American star secured her 107th World Cup win, a landmark achievement that underlines her dominance in the sport, yet she admitted afterward that the race tested her in ways beyond just crossing the finish line first.

Shiffrin, who already holds an unrivaled record in Alpine skiing, took the lead after the first run on an icy and challenging piste. She extended that advantage in the second run, ultimately finishing 0.41 seconds ahead of teammate Paula Moltzan, who claimed second place and gave the U.S. team a memorable one-two finish. Austria’s Katharina Truppe rounded out the podium.

In interviews after the race, Shiffrin revealed that two key difficulties made this win particularly demanding. First, she spoke candidly about the physical challenge of the second run’s high-speed sections. “There were moments,” she said, where she nearly “felt like closing my eyes and hoping for it to be over,” capturing just how intense and fast the descent felt even to one of the sport’s most experienced competitors. Her words highlighted the raw speed and technical demands that define night slalom racing in Flachau.

Second, Shiffrin acknowledged the mental challenge of competing under the spotlight of the Flachau crowd and the weight of expectations that come with her status. The narrow course, combined with spectators lining the start and cheering under floodlights, added pressure that required deep focus and mental resilience — something she admitted can be as tough as the physical effort itself.

Despite those challenges, Shiffrin’s experience and grit shone through. This win marked her sixth slalom victory of the season and her sixth career triumph at Flachau, reinforcing her place as one of alpine skiing’s all-time greats. Before this race, her only recent slip in slalom form came at Kranjska Gora, where Switzerland’s Camille Rast ended her winning streak — a reminder that even the best in the world face formidable competition.

Paula Moltzan’s performance also drew praise. While she has yet to secure her first World Cup win, her strong second-place finish came within striking distance of Shiffrin’s time and marked one of her best results this season. The two U.S. teammates shared a warm embrace at the finish, underscoring both the competitive and supportive dynamic within the team.

Looking ahead, Shiffrin now has one remaining slalom before the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina, giving her another opportunity to solidify her lead and perhaps secure a season title before heading into the Games.

In Flachau, she demonstrated once again that world-class skiing is about more than technical excellence — it’s about facing down challenges with poise, courage, and the sheer will to win.