Mikaela Shiffrin won the gold medal in women's slalom at the Olympics on Wednesday afternoon, making history by becoming the most decorated U.S. alpine skier in Olympic history, holding the record for the most Olympic gold medals (three) and tying skiing legend Julia Mancuso for most Olympic medals by a U.S. woman in alpine skiing with four. 

Shiffrin attacked from the start, setting the tone in the first run to take the lead and followed up on it with a clean, confident second run on a demanding course that challenged the field. Her combined time put her more than a second ahead of Swiss skier Camille Rast, who claimed silver, while Sweden’s Anna Swenn Larsson rounded out the podium in bronze.

Shiffrin's gold silenced the critics and thrilled her fans and supporters. She is a force to be reckoned with in World Cup racing, having accumulated 108 World Cup wins and shattering the previous record for 86 victories set by Ingemar Stenmark, and although she came into Cortina with three Olympic medals, she struggled at the Beijing Olympics with DNFs in three events. The win proves her grit and determination to keep pushing, and cements her legacy as the greatest of all time, with four medals to her name: three golds (slalom, 2014; giant slalom, 2018; slalom, 2026) and one silver (combined, 2018).

"I think there's many people who can take that title (the GOAT) and many were skiing today," said Shiffrin. "This is a sport where we get to share the beautiful feelings. Even if one can be on the top of the podium, we share it together." 

And Shiffrin didn’t only win Gold in Cortina, she absolutely won by a massive 1.5 second margin. In fact, her 1.5-second victory is the biggest winning margin in Olympic slalom since Swiss skier Vreni Schneider won by 1.68 seconds at the 1998 Games in Calgary. Her 1.5-second win nearly exceeded the combined winning margins of the 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022 Olympic women's slalom races combined (1.51 seconds). Additionally, at 30 years and 342 days, she became the second-oldest woman to win Olympic slalom gold, 12 years after becoming the youngest. And, she became the oldest American woman to win Olympic gold in alpine skiing. 

Team USA’s Paula Moltzan finished in eighth, with the fastest second run of the day, attacking from a disappointing 29th place result after first run. The race capped off a stellar Olympic Games that included a medal in the team combined with teammate Jackie Wiles.

"I think you have to experience the emotions as they come because if you keep them inside, it's going to hold you back." said Moltzan. "A lot of emotion comes from feeling like you let your family down that traveled so far to cheer you on, so for me I just let it all out and then move forward."

AJ Hurt was 19th and was thrilled with her result.

"I'm happy with finding the finish two months in a row," said Hurt. "It's been a while since I've done that. The second run was pretty turny so it wasn't really my style but still happy with my skiing and happy to be here." 

 Nina O'Brien did not finish the first run.

The women’s slalom marked the final alpine race of the Olympic program, bringing the Games to an emotional close. Over two weeks of competition, Team USA accumulated four medals in alpine skiing: Breezy Johnson won gold in downhill, Moltzan and Wiles took bronze in the team combined, Ryan Cochran-Siegle was silver in the super-G and Shiffrin golden in slalom.

RESULTS
Women's Olympic slalom 

Park City, Utah (Feb. 17, 2026) - U.S. Ski & Snowboard has announced the 16 athletes representing the United States at the 2026 FIS Alpine Junior World Ski Championships in Narvik, Norway, March 7-15, 2026.

The 2026 team is composed of a strong group of Stifel U.S. Ski Team athletes from the B and C teams, as well as top U.S. Ski & Snowboard athletes from the Regional Development Team and club teams across the nation. The Regional Development teams consist of the best 14-21-year-olds in the country and are recognized by selection to a Regional Team depending on where they race.  

The U.S. has a long history of strong results at the Junior World Championships with many World Cup athletes as former medalists and winners, including current Stifel U.S. Ski Team athletes Lauren Macuga, Paula Moltzan, River Radamus and Ryder Sarchett.

On the women’s side, three-time Junior World Championships medalist Elisabeth Bocock returns. Bocock has had a strong season on the World Cup tour already with multiple top 15 finishes in giant slalom. Two-time Junior World Championships medalist in the team combined and team parallel Stanley Buzek returns as well and will be one to watch in the slalom. 

“This year’s Junior World Championship team showcases an outstanding group of athletes who have already demonstrated their potential with strong performances at the NorAm level and beyond,” said Chip Knight, Alpine Development Director of the Stifel U.S. Ski Team. “Blending valuable experience with emerging talent, this group is well-positioned to achieve meaningful individual results while contributing to a strong team effort for the U.S.”

The 2026 Junior Worlds includes downhill, super-G, giant slalom and slalom along with a team alpine combined and mixed team event. Live timing will be provided by the International Ski Federation (FIS).

2026 FIS ALPINE JUNIOR WORLD SKI CHAMPIONSHIPS TEAM

(Name, Hometown; Club; Birthdate)

Women:

• Elisabeth Bocock (Salt Lake City, UT; Stifel U.S. Ski Team/Rowmark; 9/3/2005)
• Julia Cunningham (Truckee, CA; Team Palisades Tahoe; 10/19/2007)
• Logan Grosdidier (Wenatchee, WA; Stifel U.S. Ski Team/Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; 12/16/2008)
• Maya Maxson (Edwards, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 5/22/2009)
• Beatrice May (East Burke, VT; Regional Development Team/Dartmouth College; 11/24/2006)
• Mari Renick (Vail, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 6/5/2009)
• Katie Rowekamp (Girdwood, AK; Regional Development Team/Burke Mountain Academy; 10/10/2009)
• Viktoria Zaytseva (Edwards, CO; Stifel U.S. Ski Team/Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 10/18/2007)

Men:

• Stanley Buzek (Silverthorne, CO; Stifel U.S. Ski Team/Team Summit; 8/18/2005)
• Maximilien Hoder (Stowe, VT; Apex 2100; 9/12/2005)
• John Kerbaugh (Williston, VT; Stifel U.S. Ski Team/Mount Mansfield Academy; 11/11/2005)
• Alex Krupka (Vail, CO; Regional Development Team/Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 3/30/2006)
• Aksel Lindenmeyr (Crested Butte, CO; Regional Development Team/Apex 2100; 11/25/2005)
• Jeremy Nolting (Steamboat, CO; Stifel U.S. Ski Team/Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; 7/26/2005)
• Jevin Palmquist (Eagen, MN; Regional Development Team/Team Summit; 3/6/2007
• Mattias Wilson (Jackson, WY; Sugar Bowl Ski Team & Academy; 10/6/2006)

NARVIK 2026 COMPETITION SCHEDULE

• March 5 – Downhill training
• March 6 – Downhill training
• March 7 – Men’s and women’s downhill
• March 8 – Women’s super-G and team combined
• March 9 –  Men’s super-G and team combined
• March 11 - Team parallel
• March 12 - Women’s giant slalom
• March 13 - Men’s giant slalom
• March 14 - Women’s slalom
• March 15 - Men’s slalom 

More event information can be found here. 

U.S. Ski & Snowboard alpine coach Karin Harjo became the first woman to set a course for an Olympic alpine ski race, setting Sunday’s giant slalom at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Cortina. Harjo coaches Olympic champion and winningest skier of all time Mikaela Shiffrin. 

Course setting is one of the most respected roles in alpine racing, determining the rhythm, tempo and technical demands of the race. Harjo’s appointment by the International Ski & Snowboard Federation reflects her deep technical expertise and respect she has earned across the international ski community.

A veteran coach with more than two decades of experience, Harjo has coached at the highest levels of World Cup racing with her resume spanning leadership roles in the U.S. and abroad, including serving as head coach of Alpine Canada’s women’s team before returning to the U.S. to coach Shiffrin in 2023.

“This is for your daughter‘s daughters,” said Harjo. “We’re in 2026 and it’s the first time, but the reason is because of Mikaela. She set out to lift up women in sport, whether it’s competitors, coaches, workers. Through her greatness, she’s providing the opportunity for women to rise and pave a path for everybody behind us.”

In 2016, Harjo became the first woman to set a World Cup slalom course and throughout her career, she has been one of the few women coaching and setting courses regularly on the World Cup circuit. She is widely respected not only for her technical knowledge, but also for her calm, thoughtful leadership style.

“Karin is an exceptional coach and leader whose impact on alpine skiing extends far beyond results,” said Anouk Patty, U.S. Ski & Snowboard Chief of Sport. “Her selection as an Olympic course setter is a testament to her expertise and the respect she commands worldwide. This is a historic moment for our organization and for the sport.”

Mikaela Shiffrin led the way for Team USA, finishing 11th in the women’s Olympic giant slalom at Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy on Sunday. Paula Moltzan was 15th, and Nina O’Brien finished 20th.

"That was like the greatest show of giant slalom skiing that we've had in a really long time," said Shiffrin. "To do it at the Olympics where people actually have eyes on the sport so cool to watch." 

It was another sunny day in the Dolomites with picture-perfect conditions on the Tofane slope. An ideal day for giant slalom. Team USA fans lined the course and were ready to cheer on their favorite skiers. The race turned out to be one of the most thrilling women's races in quite some time. The margins between the second and the 12th were razor-thin. Mere hundreds of seconds came into play. The U.S. women fired on both runs, but in the deep giant slalom field, it would not be enough for a medal. 

"After returning to giant slalom and to racing after my injury last year I felt like there was no hope to be faster," said Shiffrin. "But to be here now, not far from the fastest women, is huge for me so I'm proud of that." 

Team USA teammates Moltzan and O'Brien wanted more from the day as well, but take what they can from the race and will build for the final race on Wednesday. However, O'Brien showed her true giant slalom form, posting the fastest second run time.

"I'm just learning from it, of course I wanted more but I am happy with some turns and will look to ski faster in the slalom," said Moltzan. 

Italy’s Frederica Brignone dominated the race, taking the gold medal in 2 minutes, 13.50 seconds. The 2022 Olympic champion Sara Hector of Sweden and Norway’s Thea Louise Stjernesund tied for the silver medal at 0.74 back. Italy’s Lara Della Mea narrowly missed a medal by just 0.05 seconds, finishing fourth.

"Fede is the kindest, most genuine athlete on tour. This comeback of hers has been incredible, to win two gold medals at home is unreal. She's clearly one of the best year in the world right now," said Moltzan. 

For Brignone, it was her second gold medal of the 2026 Olympic Winter Games as she won the super-G last week in Cortina, just 10 months after suffering a season-ending crash last April.

Next up, the women's slalom is the final alpine event of the 2026 Olympics on Tuesday.

RESULTS
Women’s Olympic giant slalom

In Saturday’s men’s giant slalom in Bormio, Italy Team USA’s River Radamus led the way for the men’s team in 17th place, and first-time Olympian Ryder Sarchett landed 25th. 

“It's a tough business,” said Radamus. “I devote my entire life to standing on that podium knowing full well that the odds are against me so it's difficult on a day like this.” 

It was not a typical race day for the field of mostly World Cup racers. The snow was uncharacteristically soft, with spring-like conditions instead of the typical ice and firm snow skiers are used to. On top of that, the weather fluctuated greatly with snow, rain and more coming in and out throughout the day. That meant the race would be a test for who could adapt to the changing conditions and find speed best, especially with the challenging visibility. 

Team USA athlete River Radamus was the top-seeded American in the discipline. His World Cup season has been a mix of great runs followed by races where things did not click. However, Radamus had his sights set on a big day in the giant slalom. He pushed the best he could on the first run but did not find the rhythm or speed and would end up 12th across the line, and ultimately 17th in the race. Not the finish he was hoping for but he will learn and move on to the remainder of the World Cup season. 

“It’s a blessing to take part in this and it’s a blessing to be able to dream and to be able to try.,” said Radamus. “I'm glad that I tried. I wish I had the best skiing to be on that podium, but I don't have a lot of regrets.” 

First-time Olympian Ryder Sarchett also struggled to find speed on the first run but found a better groove in run two, moving up a few spots to 25th place. He can go home knowing he showed some good turns at his first games. 

“To be able to do this at 22 I'm really stoked and I think it brings a lot of confidence into my next Olympics hopefully,” said Sarchett. “I had some great turns on the second run. I was very disappointed with the first run and happy with a better run.” 

The big story of the day was Brazil’s Lucas Pinheiro Braathen who secured gold - the first winter Olympics medal for the country. In silver and bronze were Swiss skiers Marco Odermatt and Loic Meillard. 

There is one final Olympic race for the men, the slalom, on February 16th.

RESULTS
Men's giant slalom