Mikaela Shiffrin made history at the Sochi Winter Olympics by becoming the youngest Olympic slalom gold medalist at just 18 years old. Despite a near fall mid-race, she held her lead to secure victory in dramatic fashion.
Shiffrin’s performance edged out seasoned competitors like Austria’s Marlies Schild and Kathrin Zettel. She finished 0.53 seconds ahead of Schild, showcasing remarkable composure and skill under pressure on the world’s biggest stage.
Her win marked the first U.S. women’s Olympic slalom gold since 1972, cementing her status as a dominant force in Alpine skiing. Shiffrin has won eight of the past 18 World Cup slaloms.
While often compared to Lindsey Vonn, Shiffrin insists on being recognized for her own achievements. “Let me have my own success—just call me Mikaela Shiffrin,” she said, highlighting her respect for Vonn and her individual path forward.
