Mikaela Shiffrin ‘not afraid of the consequences’ and dismisses talk of Beijing repeat after World Championships DNF

Shiffrin was set to snatch gold away from Federica Brignone in the alpine combined as she had just 0.08 seconds to make up in the final section of the slalom, which made up run two of the event on Monday.

However, with three gates to go she straddled, to the astonishment of the crowd in Meribel.

It comes 12 months on from a disappointing Winter Olympics in Beijing where Shiffrin failed to take a medal and had DNFs in her favourite disciplines, the slalom and giant slalom.

“Mostly I was thinking, now I’m going to go to the mix zone and everyone’s gonna ask, ‘Oh, is this Beijing again?’,” laughed Shiffrin to reporters when asked about whether she thought about the 2022 Winter Olympics.

“It’s not I didn’t really think that for myself, but more for the people asking.

“But I also said before coming into this World Championships multiple times, I’m not afraid if it happens again.

“What if I don’t finish every run, like what happened last year? I survived and I’ve had some pretty amazing races this season.

“So I would take the season that I’ve had, with no medals at the World Championships. If it’s either-or, then I would take [the latter]. I’m happy with it.

“But I’m going to be pushing for medals because that’s what you do at World Champs and you wear your heart on your sleeve and you go for it.

“I’m not afraid of the consequences as long as I have that mentality, which I had today so it’s good.”

Next is the super-G on Wednesday, before she takes part in the giant slalom (February 16) and slalom (February 18) where she will be the big favourite following her incredible season on the World Cup tour.

Shiffrin is also just one World Cup victory away from equalling Ingemar Stenmark’s record of 86 wins, which is the most of any skier male or female.

She was far from downbeat after missing out on adding to her six World Championship gold medals and is simply enjoying her skiing.

“Sometimes you get the momentum and you just keep it going because it has been so fun to ski,” Shiffrin added.

“I love how I’m skiing. I love the feeling I have every time I get on my skis, no matter what event. It’s almost easier to get motivated because every single day I enjoy coming out here and doing it.

“Unfortunately, you also have to face the side of the sport where it doesn’t work, you don’t finish, everyone’s disappointed, that’s the negative side or the sad side. But overall, it’s just been such an insane, amazing season.

“I feel like I don’t have to get motivated. I just keep it rolling and keep going with the skiing I have because it’s been the best I’ve ever done.”

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