MILAN — American alpine skier Mikaela Shiffrin claimed her first Olympic gold medal since 2018 in the giant slalom event on Wednesday. In an interview with NBC News, Shiffrin discussed the importance of daily structure, self-talk, and support from family and friends that contribute to her performance on the course.
Shiffrin, 30, became the youngest skier ever to win an Olympic gold medal in slalom in 2014, and since then has become the most successful skier in World Cup history with numerous victories. However, her eight-year drought without an additional Olympic medal was a significant aspect of her career.
Following her latest victory, Shiffrin celebrated with an espresso martini, her first alcoholic drink in two years. The discussion with NBC News touched upon various aspects of the athlete's life, including her discipline, preparation for the games, and the mountain that holds special meaning for her.
NBC News: Your recent espresso martini suggested a degree of discipline. Have there been other aspects you have eliminated from your life in the lead-up to these Games?
Shiffrin: I haven't cut out anything else quite like I've stayed away from alcohol, but the discipline is more about structure and consistency.
International skiing champion Mikaela Shiffrin discusses her disciplined lifestyle and focus on consistency, following her victory at the World Championships. In an interview with NBC News, Shiffrin emphasized the importance of daily commitment to training, even during challenging personal circumstances such as traveling overseas for family events.
The 26-year-old athlete credits years of discipline for her impressive performance in slalom skiing, having achieved two runs of 47 seconds each. Shiffrin also mentioned abstaining from alcohol due to health issues, noting a pattern of illness after consuming alcoholic beverages.
Despite her recent triumph, Shiffrin maintains a disciplined mindset as she prepares for the remainder of the World Cup season. The next race is scheduled in less than two weeks, and with six more competitions left in the season, Shiffrin is determined to defend her lead in the overall standings.
In a rare moment of indulgence, Shiffrin jokes about enjoying an espresso martini during celebrations for her victory, but emphasizes that she remains committed to structure and focus in her training regimen.
International Ski Racing Champion Mikaela Shiffrin Discusses Mental Preparation Ahead of Retirement
Mikaela Shiffrin, four-time Olympic medalist and world champion in ski racing, is reflecting on her future post-competition as she prepares for a life without the structure provided by her sport. In anticipation, she is exploring alternative means to maintain discipline and focus, a quality that ski racing has long offered.
On social media, Shiffrin shared insights into her mental strategy during competition, employing mantras scribbled on sticky notes around her Cortina d’Ampezzo residence. During our interview, she revealed one specific mantra that serves as an essential mental trigger before entering the starting gate: "Ankles and knees, punch and push."
These cues differ for each event within ski racing but hold significant meaning for Shiffrin during slalom competition. While the significance may be lost on non-skiers, she emphasized that these phrases help her achieve an optimal mental state prior to competition.
During the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, Shiffrin felt the need for additional external cues and sought support from her team in reinforcing her mentality and keeping her focused on the race course's technical requirements. "Remind me that despite fear, I still want to feel connected and powerful" became a daily mantra she requested her team to reiterate.
Shiffrin also credited the mantras posted around her mirror for providing additional external cues at crucial moments between the start and finish line, particularly during the turns. These motivational phrases were instrumental in helping Shiffrin navigate the mental challenges inherent to high-level competition.
International Skiing Champion Mikaela Shiffrin Reveals Personal Mental Mantras and Favorite Mountain
Mikaela Shiffrin, the two-time Olympic gold medalist in skiing, shares her motivational mantras and favorite skiing location in an exclusive interview with NBC News.
Shiffrin's mantras have been instrumental in her success on the slopes. Most of them come from advice given by her mother over the years. One such mantra is, "The more nervous you feel, the more intensity you want to have in your turns." Another one she used during a slalom race was, "The bigger the heartbeat, the bigger the heart."
When asked to choose the one mountain she could ski for the rest of her life, Shiffrin struggled. She expressed her inability to make such a choice due to the abundance of amazing mountains worldwide. However, when pressed about the most important mountain to her, Shiffrin revealed it was home in Colorado.
Despite traveling for approximately ten months out of the year, Shiffrin cherishes those rare moments when she can ski with her family on the local slopes. She added that these precious moments occur only once a year, making them all the more valuable.
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