Shiffrin and the gesture of a true champion

Shiffrin put in a strong first run at the giant slalom in Lienz last Saturday and set the best time. This is nothing unusual so far, but the action afterwards is. After the obligatory interviews and signing autographs, Shiffrin quickly sat back in the gondola and was taken to the start.

Tips for your teammate Had Shiffrin forgotten something? Or did she want to think again about the course for the second, decisive run? No! The 24-year-old drove to the start to give her teammate tips. Nina O'Brien was the only American in Lienz alongside Shiffrin and started the race with number 35. Before she hit the slopes, she received a course report from the superstar himself, including Shiffrin's impressions.

US youngster Nina O'Brien. © APA / EXPA/MICHAEL GRUBER

“That was super helpful,” said O’Brien, who finished 3,52 seconds behind and missed qualifying for the second run. “Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to fully implement Mikaela’s tips, but I really appreciate what she did for me.”

“When I came to the World Cup, I didn’t feel particularly connected to my teammates because they were all 10 years older than me.” Mikaela Shiffrin It was indeed a special - and above all not a given - gesture from Shiffrin. But something like this is completely normal for the 64-time World Cup winner. “I want my teammates to be successful too. I know how heartbreaking it is when you do your best but often miss the top 30,” said Shiffrin. Her teammate O'Brien has competed in 28 World Cup races so far, but only finished in the points five times.

But there is also another reason why Shiffrin seeks to be close to her teammates. “When I came to the World Cup, I didn't feel particularly connected to my teammates because they were all 10 years older than me. Nobody really looked at me. That’s why it was incredibly important for me to have my mother there at the time,” explains the superstar.

However, one thing is clear: with this gesture, Mikaela Shiffrin has proven that she is a true champion. Also because she won the race confidently afterwards .

Football

Italy

International leagues

International

Winter sports

Tennis

Other sports

Motorsport

Cycling

Watersports

Events

Favorites

Shiffrin and the gesture of a true champion

Mikaela Shiffrin is the best skier in the world, has won everything in her life - and yet shows no star-like airs. On the contrary: a gesture at the World Cup in Lienz proves that the American is a true champion.

Suggestions

Comments (0)