Shiffrin Wins Gold, Vlhová Completes First Race at 2026 Winter Olympics

Mikaela Shiffrin of the United States secured her third Olympic gold medal on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, dominating the women’s slalom at the ZOH 2026 in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. The 30-year-old alpine skiing star finished 1.50 seconds ahead of Switzerland’s Camille Rast, with Sweden’s Anna Swennová Larsson taking bronze (+1.71 seconds).

Shiffrin’s Dominance

Shiffrin’s victory confirmed her strong position established in the first run down the Tofane slope. A clean second run was sufficient to secure the win, on a course set by Swedish coach Sascha Sorio. She didn’t settle for simply securing first place, however, demonstrating excellent technique and recording the second-fastest time in the second run, behind only her American teammate, Paula Moltzan, who improved 20 places after a less successful first run.

Did You Know? Mikaela Shiffrin first won Olympic gold in slalom at the 2014 Sochi Games at the age of 18.

Vlhová’s Return to Competition

For Slovakia’s Petra Vlhová, the competition marked a significant milestone: her first race back after a serious knee injury. She finished in 20th place, 3.60 seconds behind Shiffrin, improving her position by nine places from the first run. Vlhová started 23rd in the second run and focused on a steady performance rather than risking a faster time.

This was Vlhová’s second start at the Cortina d’Ampezzo games. She previously competed in the team competition, alongside Katarína Šrobová, but was not classified after failing to finish her slalom run.

Looking Ahead

Shiffrin’s win concludes the alpine skiing events at the ZOH 2026. Switzerland emerged as the most successful nation in alpine skiing at the games, with a total of nine medals, including four golds. Franjo von Allmen secured three of those golds, winning the downhill, super-G, and the inaugural team competition alongside his teammate Nef. Loic Meillard added a slalom gold for the Swiss team.

Expert Insight: Shiffrin’s consistent performance throughout the games underscores her status as a dominant force in alpine skiing, while Vlhová’s return to competition, even without a medal, represents a significant personal achievement after a lengthy and challenging recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

What place did Petra Vlhová finish in the women’s slalom?

Petra Vlhová finished in 20th place, with a time 3.60 seconds slower than the winner, Mikaela Shiffrin.

Who won the gold medal in the women’s slalom at ZOH 2026?

Mikaela Shiffrin of the United States won the gold medal in the women’s slalom.

Which country won the most medals in alpine skiing at ZOH 2026?

Switzerland won the most medals in alpine skiing at ZOH 2026, with a total of nine medals.

What does this victory mean for the future of alpine skiing and the athletes competing at the highest level?