Mikaela Shiffrin

BIOGRAPHY

Mikaela Shiffrin, the Vail, Colorado native, started skiing at the age of two, podiumed at her first World Cup and earned Rookie of the Year status at age 16, and made history in Sochi, becoming the youngest Slalom gold medalist in Olympic history (and the first American to win gold in the discipline in 42 years). 

Shiffrin first captured the attention of the international ski community with her slalom victory at Trofeo Topolino in 2010, becoming the first female American ski racer to win at Italy's prestigious junior event since Lindsey Vonn in 1999. Shiffrin began competing on the World Cup circuit full time for the 2011-12 season, touring Europe with her mom in tow to cook and help with her studies. She has since gone on to rack up 31 World Cup wins, along with four overall Slalom World Cup titles, three World Championships gold medals and is on the verge of her first World Cup Overall title – the most coveted annual achievement in ski racing.

Though she’s still young in her racing career, Mikaela has already established herself as one of the premiere talents of her generation. On the cusp of World Cup history and with another Olympics just around the corner, be on the lookout for the blonde-haired, hazel-eyed, always-smiling speed demon to become the face of the sport.