Who Is Mikaela Shiffrin? Alpine Skier Back After Father's Death

Mikaela Shiffrin, the most successful female alpine skier in history, is back on the slopes after taking a break to mourn the loss of her father, Jeff. Shiffrin’s father passed away unexpectedly in February 2020, sending shockwaves through the skiing community.

She withdrew from the Alpine Skiing World Championships in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, and returned to the United States to be with her family. Now, almost a year later, Shiffrin has returned to competition with a heavy heart but a fierce determination.

After her father’s death, Shiffrin took to social media to express her grief and pay tribute to him. She wrote, “My dad was my best friend, my role model, and my greatest love. My heart is broken.”

Friends and fans reached out to Shiffrin with messages of support, and she gradually began to share some of the ways she was coping with her loss. She spoke about journaling and spending time with her family and dog.

In January 2021, Shiffrin announced that she would be returning to racing at the World Cup event in Lienz, Austria. She wrote on Instagram, “I’m not sure how it’s going to be, but I’m going to give it a try.”

Shiffrin’s return was emotional, but she performed admirably, finishing on the podium in both the giant slalom and slalom events. She also won the silver medal in the Super-G at the World Championships in February.

The skiing community has rallied around Shiffrin during this difficult time. U.S. Ski Team coach Mike Day said, “Mikaela has shown incredible strength and resilience. We are all behind her as she returns to competition.”

Fellow skiers have also expressed their support. Lindsey Vonn, one of the greatest skiers of all time, said, “Mikaela is an inspiration. She is showing the world that you can overcome anything.”

Shiffrin’s return to skiing is a testament to her determination and the support she has received from her family, friends, and the skiing community. She is still grieving the loss of her father, but she is also finding joy and purpose in competition.

Shiffrin’s goal is to be at her best for the Beijing Winter Olympics in 2022. She will continue to compete throughout the World Cup season in preparation for the Games.