Mikaela Shiffrin is taking a different approach to the 2026-27 ski racing season, and her first World Cup weekend in Sölden, Austria, provided some encouraging signs that the changes are paying off.
In the first episode of a new video series called Field Notes, part of her What’s the Point project, Shiffrin opened up about her experience at the season-opening giant slalom. The two-time Olympic gold medalist discussed her mindset heading into the race, the improvements she’s noticed in her skiing, and why a seventh-place finish left her feeling particularly optimistic.
A Different Mindset Heading Into Sölden
Shiffrin has described 2026-27 as her “exploration season,” a year in which she plans to dedicate more attention to giant slalom and super-G while approaching training and competition differently than she has throughout much of her career.
The change was particularly noticeable when comparing this year’s Sölden opener to last season. In 2025, Shiffrin said she was fighting to remain in the top 30 giant slalom standings and viewed the race as potentially decisive for the future of her GS career.
This time around, she entered the weekend feeling confident in her skiing, her team, and the direction of her training. Rather than experiencing the same level of anxiety, she described feeling a healthy sense of anticipation.
Her biggest concern was whether her new approach would produce competitive results right away. She acknowledged worrying that a disappointing opening race could lead people to question whether she should abandon her exploration season and return to her previous schedule.
A Promising First Run
One of the biggest highlights of the weekend came during Shiffrin’s first run. She described feeling comfortable with her skiing and timing, calling the run both beautiful and fun. More importantly, she reached the finish and saw a green light on the scoreboard. Shiffrin explained that she had grown accustomed to seeing herself behind the leaders in first-run results, making the moment particularly meaningful.
Seeing that her best skiing was competitive against the world’s top giant slalom racers lifted a significant weight off her shoulders. The second run presented much more difficult conditions, particularly with deteriorating visibility. Although Shiffrin made mistakes and lost time, she was proud of her decision to attack the course rather than ski defensively.
Looking Ahead To Killington
Shiffrin’s schedule will look different over the next several weeks. Rather than traveling to Levi, Finland, and Gurgl, Austria, for the opening slalom races, she plans to use that time for additional super-G and slalom training. She will also return home to the United States for recovery before heading to Colorado to train with teammates ahead of the upcoming World Cup stretch.
That stretch includes Killington, Tremblant, Beaver Creek, St. Moritz, and the traditional holiday-season races. She’s particularly interested in seeing how the adjusted schedule creates more room for physical recovery, mental preparation, and training.