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The on-slope portion of what Mikaela Shiffrin hopes will be a “reset” at the Beijing Olympics — moving on from early mistakes that eliminated her from two races — began under a cloudless sky Thursday with a pair of trips down the competition hill about a half-hour apart during an official training session for the upcoming super-G.
The two-time Olympic gold champion strolled past the finish line each time, standing rather than in a speed-preserving tuck, wearing a maroon racing helmet, bright red luminous goggles, and a white racing suit with “USA” on the front in blue capital letters.
She took a quick break after the first lap to talk with two other competitors. After the second, she sped by a crowd of roughly a dozen people and continued on her route.
Anyone present could see all of this. Less certain right then and there: how Shiffrin is doing with her off-the-slopes efforts to overcome those unexpected and abrupt departures in her strongest disciplines.
However, the US ski team confirmed a few hours later that Shiffrin will compete in the super-G on Friday, when the ladies transition from technical to speed events. That will be the third race in what might be a six-race journey to China.
“It’s difficult for her to accept what occurred, but she must do so. One of the best ways to do so is to constantly look ahead. She has a lot going on here, which is excellent for her “Paul Kristofic, the United States’ chief women’s Alpine coach, stated. “You have to focus on what’s in front of you and attempt, as difficult as it is, to put what’s behind you to rest.”
Kristofic stated that the practice on Thursday “went nicely.”
Shiffrin, a 26-year-old Colorado native, has never competed in a super-G at the Olympics, although she did win one at the 2019 World Championships.
“Being outdoors and switching events and doing something else – it’s a different urge in speed, for sure, and it’s a fantastic feeling to be out here pushing and skiing well,” Kristofic said. “It’s all part of the process of getting through it.”
Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, a Norwegian skier, characterized Shiffrin as “in a decent state; she’s all fine.”
