Shiffrin 11th in Giant Slalom

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