Mikaela Shiffrin stands on the precipice of a remarkable comeback as she prepares for the women’s slalom race at the 2026 Winter Olympics. This event is not just another race; it represents Shiffrin’s last opportunity to secure a medal after a disappointing start in Milano Cortina, where she has yet to stand atop the podium.
Betting markets have taken note of her precarious position, with Shiffrin currently favored at -170 to win gold, though this is a notable shift from her opening odds of -340. This change reflects the growing uncertainty surrounding her performance after a series of underwhelming results. In her first event, the women’s team combined, Shiffrin and her teammate Breezy Johnson narrowly missed the podium, finishing fourth just six hundredths of a second behind fellow Americans Jacqueline Wiles and Paula Moltzan.
Her struggles continued with a 15th place finish in the slalom leg—her worst result in this discipline since 2012—followed by an 11th place in the giant slalom, where she was a mere quarter of a second shy of a medal. These results are particularly striking, considering Shiffrin’s storied history, having previously won gold in giant slalom at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games and dominating the World Cup circuit with seven wins in eight races this season.
Shiffrin’s current situation is compounded by a disheartening trend: she has now gone eight consecutive Olympic races without a medal, including a disappointing 2022 Beijing Games where she failed to finish in all three of her events. This track record has undoubtedly placed immense pressure on her as she approaches her potentially final chance for Olympic glory.
Among her competitors, Switzerland’s Camille Rast emerges as a formidable challenger, currently priced at +340. Rast’s consistent performance has earned her the No. 2 ranking in the World Cup standings, with victories in both giant slalom and slalom this season—one of which was at Shiffrin’s expense. The rivalry between these two athletes adds an intriguing layer to the upcoming race, especially as Rast seeks to capitalize on Shiffrin’s recent missteps.
As Shiffrin prepares to take to the slopes, her legacy as the most successful ski racer in history—boasting 71 career slalom wins and 108 overall—hangs in the balance. The narrative of her Olympic journey is one of resilience and determination. While the odds may seem stacked against her, Shiffrin’s past achievements and current form suggest that she still possesses the potential to reclaim her status as an Olympic champion.
In the world of sports, especially in high-stakes events like the Olympics, the mind is as critical as the body. Shiffrin’s ability to navigate the pressure and expectations will be key. As experts often say, “sports are played in the mind as much as on the field.” Whether she can rebound from her earlier disappointments and secure a medal remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the world will be watching as she races down the slopes of Cortina d’Ampezzo, hoping to turn her fortunes around in what could be a defining moment of her career.
Reviewed by: News Desk
Edited with AI assistance + Human research
