How Mikaela Shiffrin’s 102nd World Cup win gives her a strong start to Olympic Qualification

Alpine skier Mikaela Shiffrin has scored yet another impressive victory. The former Olympic champion recorded the 102nd win of her career with the opening race of the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup held in Lapland, Finland.

Shiffrin overcame the challenge from Albanian opponent Lara Colturi with a margin of 1.66 seconds in the final run. She felt ecstatic about her victory, revealing that she didn't want to squander her big lead by attempting unnecessary risks.

With this victory, Mikaela Shiffrin has begun her qualification journey for the Winter Olympics on a solid note. According to the current process, one must accumulate 120 Olympic FIS points in the giant slalom event and secure a place in the top 30 rankings by the end of the qualification deadline to qualify for the Winter Olympics, regardless of gender.

Mikaela Shiffrin last won an Olympic medal in the giant slalom event at the 2018 Winter Olympics, held in PyeongChang, South Korea. She had clinched the women's giant slalom event, as well as a silver medal in the combined event.

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When Mikaela Shiffrin got real about being able to compete at the Winter Olympics

Mikaela Shiffrin at the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup - Women's Giant Slalom [Image Source: Getty]

Mikaela Shiffrin previously opened up about competing at the Winter Olympics next year. The 30-year-old alpine skier remarked about the immense potential of the American skiers in a conversation with the Olympics' website. She said:

"So I love it, and even if I don't race it at the Olympics, it's not out of the cards for me as a whole. Maybe it's just one of those things that the timing doesn't line up. One thing about the Games that I'm always really aware of, and especially this year, because we have an incredible (U.S.) team of athletes, multiple medal contenders. I don't want to be taking a spot that I don't earn and deserve to be there. So I'm fully OK letting go of that -- when the time comes -- if that is how it rolls."

In another interview held in early 2025, Mikaela Shiffrin revealed how she was initially nervous during her comeback, especially after sustaining an injury last season. She said:

"I am so happy. After how I ended last season, it was a waiting game and in the end, racing was the next step in the preparation phase to get the race mentality, and I felt like my mind and my body were connected today - I was so nervous this whole week."

Mikaela Shiffrin had a disappointing experience at the 2022 Winter Olympics held in Beijing. The alpine skier aims to register a strong comeback with another gold medal at the Milano Cortina edition, which would be held next year.