Shiffrin: GOAT Status Hits Me ‘Later’

Shiffrin Reflects on Sixth Crystal Globe: ‘Things Hit Me Later’

Mikaela Shiffrin, the undisputed queen of the slopes, recently secured her sixth FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Crystal Globe, tying a legendary record. But when asked about her place among the greatest female athletes of all time, Shiffrin offered a surprisingly humble perspective: she doesn’t always feel like a “GOAT” in the moment. “Things hit me later,” she explained, suggesting that the full weight of her incredible achievements doesn’t fully sink in until well after they’ve happened.

A Career Defined by Records and Resilience

Shiffrin’s resume is nothing short of astounding. As of March 2026, she holds the record for the most World Cup wins, surpassing the century mark. Her trophy case boasts six overall World Cup crystal globes and a record eight slalom discipline titles. She’s also the most decorated American alpine skier in World Championship history with 15 medals. A four-time Olympian, Shiffrin has captured multiple gold medals, including wins in slalom in 2014, giant slalom in 2018, and another gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Despite these incredible accolades, Shiffrin admitted that she doesn’t recall a single moment where she definitively knew she would become this great. “I don’t know if there was really ever a moment,” she shared. “I just looked up to athletes like Bodie Miller who were doing such incredible things in the sport.” Shiffrin’s path was fueled by a simple desire: “I want that overall globe,” she recalled, “and who knows if I can get it, but I’m going to work really hard.”

Finding Strength After Adversity

The conversation also touched upon Shiffrin’s experience at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, where she faced significant challenges. Reflecting on that period, she described herself as her own “harshest judge.” In individual sports like skiing, athletes are constantly pushed to improve, often leading to intense self-scrutiny. “You can really tie your own self-worth and your value to the success you have on the slopes,” Shiffrin noted.

Beijing, however, became a turning point. It served as a catalyst for significant personal growth. Following the Olympics, Shiffrin began seeing a psychologist, partly due to her Olympic experience and also to begin processing the grief from her father’s passing. “I really think we’re going to need to like open up the brain a little bit here and see what’s going on in there,” she said with a laugh.

Teamwork and Mental Fortitude

This journey into mental health has profoundly impacted her life and career. Shiffrin emphasized how this work has improved her communication skills, team management, and ability to bring her entire support staff – coaches, technicians, and others – together. “To show up in unison,” she explained, highlighting that feeling unified as a team isn’t always a given, but it’s crucial for success.

Her biggest fear heading into the Cortina season after Beijing was feeling isolated. However, thanks to the collective effort and support of her team, she felt completely connected. “I didn’t feel that way. I felt fully together with them, every step of the way,” she stated, calling it the “biggest area of growth” in her career.

Icons and Inspirations

Beyond skiing, Shiffrin draws inspiration from other sports legends. She admired tennis stars like Serena Williams and Billie Jean King, and is a big fan of Roger Federer, with whom she has spoken often. “He’s always been the most kind, like, truly like a real inspiration through and through,” she said of Federer.

As Shiffrin continues to add to her already historic career, her perspective remains grounded. While fans and media may debate her GOAT status, Shiffrin is focused on the journey, the growth, and the team that helps her conquer every slope, with the full realization of her greatness perhaps still to come.

Source: Mikaela Shiffrin says she doesn't have a GOAT moment 🗣️ 'Things hit me later' 🐐 | First Take (YouTube)