Mikaela Shiffrin Wins Giant Slalom World Championship Gold in Courchevel, France

Mikaela Shiffrin added another chapter to her legendary career on Monday, winning the giant slalom at the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in Courchevel, France, with a commanding two-run performance that showcased the technical precision and mental toughness that have made her the most successful American alpine skier in history.

The 31-year-old from Colorado posted a combined time of 2:08.47 across both runs, finishing 0.87 seconds ahead of Italy's Federica Brignone and 1.23 seconds clear of Switzerland's Lara Gut-Behrami in third place. Shiffrin's victory margin was decisive by World Championship standards, demonstrating her continued dominance in technical disciplines despite being in the later stages of her career.

"This feels incredible," Shiffrin said during the medal ceremony. "To win another world championship title at this stage of my career, in conditions like these, it's everything I've been working toward. The course was challenging today, and you had to be perfect on every turn. I'm so grateful to still be competing at this level and adding to the trophy collection."

Shiffrin's first run was particularly impressive, as she navigated the technical gates with surgical precision while maintaining the aggressive line that separated her from the field. Her intermediate splits showed her building advantages throughout the course, ultimately posting a time that none of her competitors could match despite perfect piste conditions.

The victory represents Shiffrin's seventh world championship gold medal and her first in giant slalom since 2019, proving that her technical skills remain as sharp as ever despite focusing more on speed events in recent seasons. Her ability to adapt her skiing style and maintain peak performance well into her thirties continues to defy conventional wisdom about alpine skiing careers.

Shiffrin's triumph in Courchevel further cements her status as one of the greatest ski racers of all time, with her medal collection now including seven world championship golds and three Olympic medals. Her longevity and continued excellence at the sport's highest level serve as inspiration for younger athletes and demonstrate that technical mastery and dedication can overcome the natural aging process. With the 2030 Winter Olympics in the French Alps approaching, Shiffrin's victory suggests she may have several more memorable performances ahead of her.