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Mikaela Shiffrin hit the slopes on Sunday for the giant slalom in Alpine skiing, showcasing her prowess in this challenging discipline.
MILAN, Metropolitan City of Milan — On Sunday morning, Italy celebrated another triumph as they secured a gold medal in the women’s Alpine skiing giant slalom.
Federica Brignone of Italy claimed the top spot on the podium with an impressive finish time of 2:13.50.
Representing Team USA, AJ Hurt, Paula Moltzan, Nina O’Brien, and Mikaela Shiffrin also took part in the competition.
Shiffrin concluded the event in 11th place, delivering two consistent runs that were marred by a few late turns, preventing her from reaching the podium.
Shiffrin, the winningest ski racer and three-time Olympic medalist, was a favorite to win, returning to the Winter Games after a series of setbacks.
The 2018 PyeongChang Olympic champion entered the 2022 Beijing Games with a goal to defend her title, but she was unable to complete the run. Then in 2024, she was impaled by a gate during a giant slalom training run in Vermont. She has spoken openly about her recovery and the lasting mental hurdle from the incident that led to her being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Moltzan finished in 15th place, O’Brien finished 20th and Hurt did not finish the competition.
Brignone was coming back from a serious injury before the Winter Games but has managed to clinch two gold medals for the Italians.
No bronze medal was awarded in the event, after Sweden’s Sara Hector and Norway’s Thea Louise Stjernesund posted the exact same, down to the hundredth of a second, in both of their giant slalom runs. The pair both took home silver.
How does women’s giant slalom work?
Women’s giant slalom is very similar to slalom, where skiers zigzag through tightly spaced gates with quick reflexes. The main difference is giant slalom opens the turns slightly, blending speed with precision.
Each run is timed, and winners are determined by the fastest combined score or single run, depending on the event. One mistake can mean the difference between standing on the podium and leaving empty-handed.
Alpine skiing has been a staple of the Winter Games for decades, drawing global attention for its combination of athleticism and risk. The 2026 Olympics continued that tradition, offering fans a thrilling display of speed and control on the slopes of northern Italy.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.