Five things about Mikaela Shiffrin you may not have known

Here’s what you didn’t know about the skiing superstar as she competes for her first overall Crystal Globe.

Mikaela Shiffrin has become well-known beyond the ski racing world. The 21-year-old American sensation, who sets new records in practically every race, is not only talented and hardworking, but also has a strong personality. Here are some facts you might not have known about her:

1. Mikaela relieves her anxiety by completing word searches.

While her opponents blast their favorite music to get into the zone or try to visualize the course one last time, Mikaela enjoys doing a word search puzzle as part of her pre-race ritual. Word searches (not crossword puzzles!) are a Shiffrin family tradition. Mikaela prepares for the race by competing against her mother, who usually joins her on the World Tour, in the same word search against the clock. The fastest of the two wins, and there is no looking over the other’s shoulder. Mikaela is almost always present!

2. Mikaela has her own cookbook.

Daily training and peak performance necessitate a strong focus on diet. Mikaela Shiffrin has written a cookbook called The Winning Recipes from Mikaela Shiffrin to give her personal advice on eating properly. Although Mikaela prioritizes eating high-quality meals produced with fresh ingredients, she does enjoy sweets and treats on occasion!

3. Mikaela enjoys cat naps.

Being the world’s top tech skier requires self-discipline, and Mikaela is unquestionably committed to her career. That discipline includes a set daily plan. She has a self-imposed nighttime rule of 9 p.m. to ensure adequate sleep. But she also enjoys napping. She claims she barely misses her afternoon nap once or twice a year, and her hidden moniker is “Sir Naps A Lot”. Rumour has it that in Sochi, before becoming the youngest ever slalom champion, she slept on the floor of the hospitality tent between runs, wearing rain coats.

4. Mikaela is quite a pianist.

Mikaela’s preferred playlist is as varied as the skier herself. The playlist includes Taylor Swift, Ellie Goulding, and Daft Punk’s ‘Get Lucky’. She had piano lessons when she was younger and has recently fallen in love with the melodies of Italian pianist and composer Ludovico Einaudi. She enjoys playing them, as well as many other activities, which are listed below. Mikaela also plays guitar and enjoys singing and dancing.

5. Mikaela’s helmet features her mantra ABFTTB.

Mikaela has set lofty ambitions for herself, and it is no secret that she aspires to win in all five Alpine disciplines, including the speed events. Since she was a child, she has labeled her skis and helmets with the initials ABFTTB, which stands for “Always Be Faster Than The Boys”. She admires the tough, no-nonsense approach of men’s skiing and works with elite athletes like Marcel Hirscher, always analyzing split times. Mikaela believes she can finish in the top 30 of a men’s slalom event in her current fitness!

Mikaela, a child genius, had a unique childhood and enjoys dancing (see out her greatest movements here).