NEW YORK — It’s early Tuesday afternoon, and Mikaela Shiffrin is seated at a bar in a midtown Manhattan hotel, casually sipping tap water and snacking on shoestring fries. Despite being in the heart of the city, her mind is already drifting to the mountains, eager to get back on the snow.
Just five days ago, Shiffrin capped off her injury-shortened season in remarkable fashion, securing her 101st World Cup victory with a dominant slalom performance at the World Cup finals in Sun Valley, Idaho. The win further solidified her status as one of the greatest alpine skiers of all time.
With the season behind her, one might expect Shiffrin to be thinking about a well-earned break perhaps lounging on a secluded beach, basking in the sun. But for an athlete as driven as she is, the downtime is fleeting. Instead of a tropical getaway, she’s already plotting her return to training, eager to push herself even further in the seasons ahead.
Shiffrin’s journey this season was far from easy. An early-season knee injury forced her to miss several races, and she had to fight her way back into form. Yet, as she has done so many times before, she proved her resilience, returning to the circuit stronger than ever.
While the off-season will allow for some much-needed rest, Shiffrin’s competitive spirit never fades. Whether it’s analyzing race footage, refining her technique, or simply visualizing the next turn, she’s always preparing for what’s next.
For now, though, she allows herself a brief moment to enjoy the city, the fries, and the satisfaction of another historic milestone. Soon enough, the snow will call her back.
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