Mikaela Shiffrin shifts priorities to giant slalom and super-g
Mikaela Shiffrin will skip the opening slalom races in Levi and Gurgl to prioritize giant slalom and super-G for the 2026–27 season. The 31-year-old record-holding World Cup winner outlined her scheduling shift in a video released on Tuesday, signaling a major adjustment after 16 years on the circuit.
A Season of Exploration on the World Cup Circuit
The upcoming winter features the World Championships in Crans-Montana in February, but Shiffrin is framing her campaign differently. She describes the schedule pivot as a “season of exploration,” aiming to secure more time to rest and ski according to her personal needs rather than chasing traditional milestones. “I’m trying something new to continue developing as a racer,” Shiffrin stated in her video announcement. “For me, the joy has never been just about medals or records.”
Skiing Wider Gates in Giant Slalom and Super-G
While the calendar adjustment reduces her time in the slalom discipline, Shiffrin is not abandoning the event altogether. Her slalom season is slated to begin in late November at the home World Cup in Killington. By carving out more space for giant slalom and super-G, Shiffrin aims to distribute her physical workload differently across the demanding winter calendar.
Rest and Recovery After Sixteen Years
Managing a career across nearly two decades requires balancing rigorous athletic output with strategic recovery. Shiffrin’s choice to tailor her race entries around personal well-being reflects a calculated effort to preserve longevity in professional alpine skiing.
After 16 years on the international circuit, Shiffrin’s current shift toward giant slalom and super-G is a notable departure from her usual winter blueprint.
