Shiffrin Reclaims Olympic Slalom Crown in Dominant Victory
Mikaela Shiffrin won her second Olympic slalom gold by 1.50 seconds in Cortina d’Ampezzo, ending an eight-year Olympic medal drought and becoming the first U.S. skier with three Olympic golds.
The GuardianMikaela Shiffrin overcame grief, crashes and her own self-doubt to win slalom gold again
USA TODAYMikaela Shiffrin’s Olympic gold was magnificent. Appreciate her greatness
CNNMikaela Shiffrin’s golden peace replaces eight years of heartbreak, pressure and grief | CNN
Daily CallerAmerican Superstar Breaks 8-Year Drought, Wins Gold In Whopping Fashion
Overview
Mikaela Shiffrin won the Olympic women's slalom in Cortina d’Ampezzo with a combined time of 1:39.10, finishing 1.50 seconds ahead of silver medalist Camille Rast.
Shiffrin's victory ends an eight-year Olympic medal drought and creates a 12-year gap between her two Olympic slalom golds, the longest between individual golds in the same Winter Games event.
Shiffrin said she thought about her late father and embraced her mother and coach Eileen at the finish, and she described showing up and feeling free as what she wanted most, according to postrace remarks.
Shiffrin's opening run was 47.13 seconds, leaving competitors 0.82 seconds behind, and she sealed gold with a 51.97-second second run; her season includes seven slalom wins and one second in eight starts.
Shiffrin completed her Milano Cortina program with the slalom gold and is now the first American skier to win three Olympic gold medals, with her career including 108 World Cup victories, 71 slalom wins and a record-extending ninth season-long title this season.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame Shiffrin’s win as triumphant redemption and overdue recognition, using loaded language ('magnificent,' 'obliterated the field,' 'sweet redemption'), selective statistics (1.50-second margin, three golds, World Cup wins) and emotional, humanizing details (tears, touching snow, PTSD). They prioritize sympathetic perspectives while marginalizing critical or skeptical viewpoints.
FAQ
Shiffrin's opening run was 47.13 seconds, and her second run was 51.97 seconds, for a combined time of 1:39.10.
Camille Rast won the silver medal, finishing 1.50 seconds behind Shiffrin.
Shiffrin previously won slalom gold in 2014 in Sochi and giant slalom gold in 2018, making this her third Olympic gold.
Shiffrin finished 11th in the giant slalom and 15th fastest in the slalom leg of the team combination, despite a strong start from her teammate.
This victory creates a 12-year gap between her two Olympic slalom golds, the longest between individual golds in the same Winter Games event.
