Mikaela Shiffrin, the U.S. alpine ski champion and one of the most decorated competitors in winter sports history, is set to race in a select group of events at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. Ski fans and casual viewers alike have been asking what events is Mikaela Shiffrin competing in at Milano-Cortina, as she zeroes in on races that play to her strengths and Olympic goals.
This year’s Games promise thrilling alpine action, and Shiffrin’s event list reflects her technical mastery, strategic focus, and pursuit of Olympic medals in her fourth Winter Games appearance.
Shiffrin’s 2026 Olympic Event Schedule
Shiffrin will compete in three alpine skiing events during the Milan-Cortina Olympics. After competing in six disciplines in Beijing 2022, she has streamlined her lineup this year to optimize training and performance. Her competition schedule includes:
- Women’s Team Combined – February 10:
Shiffrin will kick off her Olympic racing in the women’s team combined event at the Stelvio Ski Centre in Bormio. This newly introduced format pairs downhill and slalom runs by team, blending speed and precision skiing. Athletes’ times contribute to their national team’s overall score. - Women’s Giant Slalom – February 15:
The giant slalom at Milano-Cortina will be one of Shiffrin’s marquee events. Known for her precise technical skiing and powerful turns, she enters this race with World Cup experience and podium potential. The competition requires two runs down a challenging course that blends speed with technical turns. - Women’s Slalom – February 18:
Slalom remains Shiffrin’s signature discipline. Her ability to navigate tight gates at high speed has made her one of the most successful slalom athletes in history. In Cortina, this event will be a focal point of her Olympic campaign and a key race for U.S. viewers to watch.
These three events will take place at two of the Alps’ iconic ski venues, with slalom and giant slalom set at Cortina d’Ampezzo’s legendary Olympia delle Tofane slope and the team combined competition at Bormio’s Stelvio course, renowned for its steep pitches and demanding terrain.
Why Shiffrin’s 2026 Lineup Matters
Shiffrin’s decision to compete in only three events this Olympics reflects a strategic shift. After battling injuries and mixed results in recent seasons, including a tough run in Beijing where she left without a medal, Shiffrin and her coaching team opted to concentrate on her strongest disciplines.
By narrowing her focus to slalom, giant slalom, and team combined, she can train more intensely for specific courses and refine the skills she has developed across more than a decade of elite competition.
This approach also positions her to contend for medals and showcase her resilience on a global Olympic stage that draws millions of viewers in the United States and around the world.
How Shiffrin’s Skiing Career Shapes Expectations in Italy
Shiffrin’s Olympic history includes multiple medals from Sochi 2014 and PyeongChang 2018, where she demonstrated dominance in technical events as a teen and young adult. Her experience and success have made her one of the most recognized names in alpine skiing.
In World Cup competition this season, she has maintained strong performance, particularly in slalom races where she continues to add victories to her record. That track record, combined with her focused schedule, has heightened interest in her Milan-Cortina races.
Shiffrin’s presence in Italy also adds to a broader narrative of seasoned Team USA ski racers, with teammates like Breezy Johnson also competing for podium spots and contributing to the U.S. alpine skiing effort.
Alpine Skiing at the 2026 Winter Olympics
The Milano-Cortina 2026 Games will host alpine skiing events from February 7 through February 18. Women’s races occur at the Olympia delle Tofane course in Cortina d’Ampezzo, while select competitions like the team combined are held at Bormio’s Stelvio venue.
This Olympics features ten alpine skiing events in total, evenly split between men’s and women’s disciplines. The traditional combined event was removed and replaced with the team combined format, bringing a new twist to Olympic alpine racing. Competitions include downhill, super-G, slalom, giant slalom, and team combined races.
Viewing Shiffrin in Action
In the U.S., NBC and affiliated networks will broadcast skiing events, with live and replay coverage available across cable and streaming platforms. Due to Italy’s time zone, many alpine events air early in the morning Eastern Standard Time, but evening recaps and highlight packages allow viewers to catch key moments at more convenient hours.
As one of Team USA’s most recognizable athletes, Shiffrin’s starts in the team combined, giant slalom, and slalom will be featured prominently throughout the Olympic coverage.
The Significance of Each Event
Understanding the differences between Shiffrin’s events helps clarify her Olympic strategy:
Women’s Team Combined – This event blends the downhill speed run with a technical slalom run. Skier versatility and team coordination are critical. It’s also an opportunity for athletes to contribute to medal scenarios in a race that emphasizes both speed and precision.
Women’s Giant Slalom – Shiffrin’s technique and line control are assets in this discipline. The giant slalom bridges pure speed and technical challenges, demanding both power and finesse over two timed runs. Her history of World Cup successes in this discipline makes her a contender.
Women’s Slalom – As one of the most technically demanding events, slalom tests agility, split-second decision-making, and consistency. Shiffrin’s career achievements in slalom are unmatched by most competitors, and this race often highlights her signature skills.
Anticipation Builds as Fans Watch Shiffrin Chase Olympic Success
Shiffrin’s presence at Milano-Cortina has generated excitement from ski racing fans in the U.S. and around the globe. Her refined event list underscores a mature strategy that balances physical readiness with medal opportunity.
As the Winter Games unfold, her races will be among the most anticipated moments, with viewers tracking every turn and split time.
Whether she adds to her Olympic medal count or achieves key personal milestones, Shiffrin’s performances in the team combined, giant slalom, and slalom promise memorable moments for alpine skiing enthusiasts.
Her journey through these races will also serve as a benchmark for future American ski racers and contribute to the larger story of the 2026 Winter Olympics.
What result are you most excited to see from Shiffrin this Games? Let us know!
