How Mikaela Shiffrin’s Raising of Her Baseline Is Redefining Peak Performance

As she starts her World Cup quest in the 2025–26 season, Mikaela Shiffrin revealed that her progress path is as much about starting at the baseline as it is about achieving the highest level.

Shiffrin had just returned from a series of massive slalom competitions in Mont Tremblant. Although she didn’t have her greatest effort, her performances demonstrated how she went from being doubtful about competing to almost missing out on a podium finish.

Mikaela Shiffrin Explains Her Strategy for This Season’s Giant Slalom Races

Shiffrin recently posted a number of images to Instagram from her season, which included everything from racing in competitions to spending time at home by herself and with friends.

She said in her caption how she came to the realization that both building the highest level and working at the base level are crucial to progress. The two-time Olympic gold medalist disclosed that she is approaching the event in two ways because she is still dealing with the trauma from the giant slalom from the previous season, which has also been thrilling.

“I recently read that elevating your floor is a major step in the upgrading process. Consistency, showing up, building your lowest level as well as your highest level—just keep chipping away. I feel like I’m focusing on peak speed and leveling up my baseline at the beginning of this season in GS, and that is really thrilling.

The 30-year-old said she was inspired by the podium finishers’ accomplishments and praised them. As she returned to Europe, she also looked forward to her next races.

After finishing sixth on her first day in Mont Tremblant, the star skier got better the next day, climbing to fourth place and tying Camille Rast. She finished fifth in Solden and fourteenth in Copper Mountain, her other two GS outings of the season.

Shiffrin Considers Her Errors in Her Giant Slalom Competitions at Tremblant

During her giant slalom race in Killington during the 2024–2025 season, Shiffrin sustained an abdominal injury that kept her out for many weeks. She also participated in the World Championships, although she put more emphasis on her recovery than obtaining a title. Despite winning the giant slalom at Solden to start the 2025–26 season, the 104-time World Cup champion failed to place on the podium.

Shiffrin acknowledged making a few mistakes, skipping a few lines, and skiing in an untidy manner following her first run at Tremblant. In the next races, she also pledged to pay closer attention to her form.

The next stop for the Olympian will be St. Moritz, where the Super-G and downhill competitions are set for December 12, 13, and 14, 2025.

Published by Agnijeeta Majumder