Mikaela Shiffrin's return to the giant slalom (GS) competition at the Sestriere FIS Alpine Ski World Cup represents a highly anticipated moment in her 2025 season. After a two-and-a-half-month break from the discipline due to injury and mental obstacles, Shiffrin is back on the slopes in Sestriere, Italy, from February 21 to 23. The iconic venue, which previously hosted alpine skiing events during the Torino 2006 Winter Olympic, will see Shiffrin race in two GS events, including a rescheduled competition from Tremblant, Canada, along with one slalom race. This marks an important moment for Shiffrin as she seeks to regain her rhythm and points after missing out on the 2025 World Championships.
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Winter Olympic 2026: Overcoming Challenges Injury and Mental Barriers
Mikaela Shiffrin's journey back to giant slalom racing has been filled with both physical and mental challenges. In November 2024, she suffered an abdominal injury during a race in Killington, Vermont, which forced her to skip the GS event at the 2025 World Championships in Saalbach, Austria. Shiffrin's decision to sit out was also influenced by what she described as mental obstacles, a reminder of the mental and emotional demands that elite-level athletes face in addition to physical recovery.
Shiffrin has long been recognize not just for her technical brilliance but also for her mental toughness. Yet, like many athletes, she has openly acknowledged that the emotional toll of injury can sometimes be as challenging to overcome as the physical recovery itself. It was crucial for Shiffrin to take the time she needed to address both her mental and physical health before returning to competition.
During her break from giant slalom, Shiffrin focused on regaining her strength and confidence. With the help of her coaching team and sports psychologists, she was able to work through the mental and physical hurdles that came with her injury. Now, as she heads into the Sestriere races, Shiffrin looks ready to take on the challenge of returning to one of her strongest events. You Can Read Winter Olympic: Vonn Reacts to Support from Fellow Skiers as She Continues Comeback Season at 40
The Sestriere World Cup: A Venue with a Legacy
The Sestriere venue holds significant historical importance in alpine skiing. Located in the Italian Alps, it hosted Winter Olympic alpine skiing events during the Torino 2006 Winter Olympic and remains a key fixture in the World Cup calendar. The course in Sestriere is known for its demanding turns, steep sections, and unpredictable weather conditions, making it one of the most challenging slopes for any skier.
For Shiffrin, the Sestriere World Cup is a place filled with both success and fond memories. She has raced in Sestriere seven times in her career, claiming two victories (one in slalom in 2016 and another in parallel giant slalom in 2020) and securing four podium finishes. Her most recent podium in Sestriere came in December 2022 when she finished as the runner-up in slalom. The familiarity of the venue, combined with the challenges it presents, offers Shiffrin a strong foundation as she makes her return to giant slalom action.
The Sestriere World Cup holds even more significance as it serves as a critical point in Shiffrin's season. With only a few races remaining before the season's end, including the upcoming Winter Olympic Milano Cortina 2026, Shiffrin is looking to regain her position in the GS standings and continue building momentum for the rest of the season.
A Crucial Opportunity: FIS Points and Ranking
One of the key reasons Shiffrin's return to giant slalom is so critical is her current position in the FIS World Cup standings. After skipping the GS events at the 2025 World Championships, Shiffrin currently ranks 26th in the GS standings. While her slalom performance has remained strong (she currently sits ninth in the overall standings following a 10th-place finish in Courchevel), Shiffrin acknowledges that she needs FIS points from the upcoming Sestriere races to maintain a favorable bib number for future competitions.
The importance of these points cannot be understate. Skiing at the highest levels of the sport is often a battle of margins, and every point earned in the World Cup standings has an impact on starting positions, race strategy, and overall competitiveness. As such, Shiffrin is not only aiming to race well in Sestriere but also hoping to secure enough points to keep herself in a position where she can continue competing at her best for the rest of the season.
The upcoming giant slalom races in Sestriere offer a crucial opportunity for Shiffrin to regain her rhythm and put herself in a position to challenge for higher finishes in the overall standings. Given her track record in giant slalom, it's clear that she's more than capable of making a strong comeback.
Winter Olympic 2026: Shiffrin's History in Giant Slalom
While Mikaela Shiffrin is best known for her dominance in slalom, she has been a formidable competitor in giant slalom throughout her career. Her technical prowess, smooth carving, and aggressive approach to the course have made her a standout in this discipline.
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Shiffrin's experience in giant slalom is un match by most of her competitors. Over the years, she has proven that she can handle the demands of the discipline, which requires a unique blend of speed, control, and precision. Her victories in giant slalom events, including at the 2020 World Cup in Sestriere and her multiple World Cup podiums, speak to her ability to compete with the world's best skiers.
Although her recent absence from the discipline due to injury and mental recovery has interrupted her GS season, there is no doubt that Shiffrin remains a top contender. Her previous successes in giant slalom are a testament to her skill, and her return to the World Cup will undoubtedly be closely watch by fans and competitors alike.
Winter Olympic Alpine Skiing: Aiming for 100 World Cup Wins
As Shiffrin returns to giant slalom racing in Sestriere, she is also on the cusp of achieving an extraordinary milestone: her 100th World Cup victory. With just one more win need to reach this landmark, Shiffrin is set to become one of the most successful skiers in history. Her journey toward this achievement has been mark by consistent performances, an unwavering commitment to improvement, and a passion for the sport that has made her a fan favorite worldwide.
Reaching 100 wins would solidify Shiffrin's place in the Winter Olympic alpine skiing history books and reinforce her legacy as one of the greatest athletes in the sport's history. As she enters the Sestriere World Cup, fans will be watching closely, not only to see how she performs after her time off but also to witness her chase for the historic 100th victory.
The 2025 Season: Shiffrin's Path to Dominance Before Winter Olympic Milano Cortina 2026
Looking ahead, Shiffrin's return to giant slalom in Sestriere is just the beginning of what will surely be a crucial stretch of racing before the Winter Olympic Milano Cortina 2026. With her experience, resilience, and unmatched skill, Shiffrin is well-position to challenge for more podium finishes, secure a high ranking, and continue her pursuit of excellence. Whether or not she claims her 100th World Cup win in Sestriere, one thing is clear: Shiffrin is back, and the world of Winter Olympic alpine skiing is better for it.
As she navigates her return to giant slalom racing, Mikaela Shiffrin's comeback will undoubtedly be one of the most exciting storylines of the 2025 season. Fans eagerly await her performance in Sestriere, knowing that the greatest alpine skier of her generation is back on the slopes, ready to conquer the challenges that lie ahead.
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