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Mikaela Shiffrin is only 25 years old. And yet she is considered by many to be the greatest skier of all time. The American is a five-time world champion and a two-time Olympic champion. In addition, Shiffrin has contested 66 world cup races (only Lindsey Vonn has even more with 82), eight small and three large crystal balls. However, last winter, those numbers were out of date. Because: Before the start of the season, Shiffrin lost her grandmother Pauline Condron and five months later her father Jeff, who died of his injuries after an accident at their home. These were formative blows of fate, as Shiffrin revealed before the start of the season in Sölden: she missed him for a bad back.
VISTA: Mikaela Shiffrin, what have you learned about yourself in the last year?
Mikaela Shiffrin: That there are things that I cannot control. I used to worry about how I would win races. Then my grandmother died. Shortly after I went back to career mode. Then my father died.
They flew back to the United States and canceled the season.
I even considered never going back to the World Cup.
Really?
I want to enjoy ski racing. But there is much more out there. Things to be really worried about. The idea of quitting was not conscious, he just gave up. I thought to myself: is it really worth it? I love skiing, but the price is high.
Which way?
I am in Europe for six months in winter. Plus two months in summer. When I think about the time he spent with my dad, I wish I had been with him longer. But it was not possible. Skiing alienates me from the people I love the most. It’s hard to feel my dad from afar. That makes me uncomfortable. But my mother and I have to go through that.
She has been with you since the beginning of your career. How important is that
Without it, I would have left the sport a long time ago, 100 percent.
Why do you go on despite everything?
I don’t think my dad would have liked me to quit because of him. Also, I love skiing more than anything. But I’m already thinking about how long I want to endure the effort.
Did you have those thoughts before your grandmother and father died?
Yes. I haven’t been home for Christmas in about 15 years. On the one hand, I have become used to it, on the other hand, I miss those experiences in close family circles.
What will change for you in terms of racing?
In the past, winter always started with the idea of starting out as well as possible. I wanted to score so many points for the World Cup overall right away. Now I only see race after race. I just want to show good and fast turns.
It is remarkable that he shares very private thoughts, including the death of his father, through social media. Why are you doing this?
Sometimes I find it easier to go out and talk about something in public than to speak to someone directly about it, no matter how close they are to me. It only gets difficult when they ask me “How are you?” Often times, this is not just small talk. I don’t just mean “good” when it isn’t. Perhaps my posts on social media also help others who have had a similar loss. That would be great.
How do you live the corona pandemic?
It’s a shame the North American races were canceled. It’s the highlight for me every time. But I understand the decision. I guess one or another competition will be postponed in Europe during the season.
Can lessons be learned from this crisis?
Definitely when it comes to efficiency and organization. Corona may prove that less can also be more.
