Mikaela Shiffrin returned to the slopes for the giant slalom event in Alpine skiing on Sunday, alongside three fellow American athletes. Here’s how the competition unfolded for Team USA.
MILAN, Metropolitan City of Milan — Italy celebrated another triumph on Sunday morning, capturing the gold medal in the women’s Alpine skiing giant slalom event.
Federica Brignone of Italy claimed the top spot on the podium, clocking in at an impressive 2:13.50.
The American contingent included AJ Hurt, Paula Moltzan, Nina O’Brien, and the renowned Mikaela Shiffrin, all vying for victory in this fiercely competitive event.
Shiffrin concluded the day in 11th place. While her runs were consistent, a few late turns hindered her pace, preventing her from reaching the podium.
Despite being a favorite and a three-time Olympic medalist, Shiffrin faced significant challenges leading up to the Winter Games. Her return was highly anticipated as she worked to overcome a string of recent setbacks.
The 2018 PyeongChang Olympic champion entered the 2022 Beijing Games with a goal to defend her title, but she was unable to complete the run. Then in 2024, she was impaled by a gate during a giant slalom training run in Vermont. She has spoken openly about her recovery and the lasting mental hurdle from the incident that led to her being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
No bronze medal was awarded in the event, after Sweden’s Sara Hector and Norway’s Thea Louise Stjernesund posted the exact same, down to the hundredth of a second, in both of their giant slalom runs. The pair both took home silver.
Moltzan finished in 15th place, O’Brien finished 20th and Hurt did not finish the competition.
Brignone was coming back from a serious injury before the Winter Games but has managed to clinch two gold medals for the Italians.
How does women’s giant slalom work?
Women’s giant slalom is very similar to slalom, where skiers zigzag through tightly spaced gates with quick reflexes. The main difference is giant slalom opens the turns slightly, blending speed with precision.
Each run is timed, and winners are determined by the fastest combined score or single run, depending on the event. One mistake can mean the difference between standing on the podium and leaving empty-handed.
Alpine skiing has been a staple of the Winter Games for decades, drawing global attention for its combination of athleticism and risk. The 2026 Olympics continued that tradition, offering fans a thrilling display of speed and control on the slopes of northern Italy.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
