US star Mikaela Shiffrin becomes 3-time Olympic champion with emotional slalom win

CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — Mikaela Shiffrin stood atop the Olympic podium, looking almost in disbelief at the gold medal around her neck.

The American skiing star hadn’t simply won a slalom race to end her eight-year medal drought at the Winter Games and underline her status as surely the greatest Alpine skier of all time.

She’d also won a battle with herself.

“It’s like,” Shiffrin said, before pausing, “... being born again.”

Racing in what she described as a “spiritual state,” Shiffrin put in two dominant runs in gorgeous conditions amid the jagged peaks of the Dolomites to win by a massive 1.50 seconds, making her the first American skier to win three Alpine gold medals.

In emotional scenes after the race, the 30-year-old Shiffrin was embraced by Camille Rast of Switzerland, who took silver, and bronze-medalist Anna Swenn Larsson before fighting back tears as she approached her mom and coach, Eileen, for a long, deep hug next to the finish area.

Through it all, Shiffrin said, she never stopped thinking about her father, Jeff, who died at the age of 65 in an accident at the family home in Colorado in February 2020.

“This was a moment I have dreamed about — I’ve also been very scared of this moment,” Shiffrin said. “Everything in life that you do after you lose someone you love is like a new experience.

“And,” she added, her voice starting to tremble, “I still have so many moments where I resist this. I don’t want to be in life without my dad. And maybe today was the first time that I could actually accept this, like, reality.”

It was the largest margin of victory in any Olympic Alpine skiing event since 1998 and the third biggest in women’s slalom — the event she won as a fresh-faced 18-year-old in Sochi in 2014 to buttress her rising status as a skiing superstar.

Twelve years later — and having failed to meet huge expectations at the 2022 Olympics, become the most successful World Cup skier of all time with a record 108 victories, and overcome the two biggest crashes of her career and an ensuing battle with post-traumatic stress disorder — she delivered again in her favorite event.

Her skiing career, in a sense, had just come full circle.

“Maybe,” she added, “just today, I realized what happened to me in Sochi.”

At the medal ceremony, she shook both of her hands by her side as she was about to receive her medal. When it was placed around her neck, she put one hand to her mouth.

For Shiffrin, this also was a release of the pressure that had been building after going eight Olympic races without a medal since adding gold and silver to her collection in Pyeongchang in 2018.

A nightmarish 0-for-6 performance in Beijing was followed in Cortina this year by a fourth-place finish in the team combined — when Shiffrin placed 15th in the slalom portion after teammate Breezy Johnson led the downhill leg — and then 11th place in the giant slalom.

It was fodder for the “keyboard warriors,” Shiffrin acknowledged, but she ignored all of them in a masterpiece Tuesday.

“I couldn’t think of a more well-deserved medal for an athlete to win,” said Sophie Goldschmidt, president and CEO of the U.S Ski and Snowboard Association. “She’s been so dominant but as we know these big sporting moments in the Olympics bring extra pressure and scrutiny. And to see her ski that well and just go for it, I couldn’t be prouder of her.”

Shiffrin has now won three golds and a silver at the Olympics to add to her record total of World Cup wins — which include 71 in slalom, also a record. There’s also world titles in slalom (four), giant slalom and super-G to fill out arguably the greatest career in Alpine racing.

“In another league,” was how Larsson put it.

Shiffrin led by 0.82 seconds after the first run on a mostly flat course that Team USA officials described to her over the radio as a “high-tempo ripper.”

There was one wobble when she struck a gate and for a fraction of a second, it appeared she was headed for another Olympic disappointment.

Not this time.

She snapped back into form to post a time, in the No. 7 bib, no one could get near.

“When I saw one second (behind) after the first run,” Rast said, “I was like, ‘OK, the gold is gone.’”

While she attempted to nap before her second run, Shiffrin said she started to cry because she was thinking about her dad.

“And then,” she added, “I was thinking about the fact that I actually can show up today and honestly say in the start gate that I have all the tools that are necessary to do my best skiing, and to earn that moment.”

Given her emotions, Shiffrin’s second run was impressively smooth as she got through the tough top section without a hitch and pushed through the slower middle section.

After crossing the finish line, Shiffrin slowly squatted and took a private moment to think about all the people who'd got her to this moment.

“I felt every range of emotion in the last three months, the last four months, the last four years, the last eight years,” Shiffrin said. “There’s so many different journeys I’ve been on to just be here today.”

AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics

United States' Mikaela Shiffrin kisses the gold medal of the alpine ski, women's slalom race, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Marco Trovati)

United States' Mikaela Shiffrin celebrates winning the gold medal of the alpine ski, women's slalom race, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Marco Trovati)

United States' Mikaela Shiffrin shows her gold medal of the alpine ski, women's slalom race, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

United States' Mikaela Shiffrin is overcome with emotion after winning an alpine ski, women's slalom race, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

United States' Mikaela Shiffrin, center, winner of an alpine ski, women's slalom race, celebrates with second-placed Switzerland's Camille Rast, left, and third-placed Sweden's Anna Swenn Larsson, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

United States' Mikaela Shiffrin, center, winner of an alpine ski, women's slalom race, celebrates with second-placed Switzerland's Camille Rast, left, and third-placed Sweden's Anna Swenn Larsson, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

United States' Mikaela Shiffrin celebrates at the finish area of an alpine ski, women's slalom race, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

United States' Mikaela Shiffrin, center, winner of an alpine ski, women's slalom race, is congratulated by second-placed Switzerland's Camille Rast, right, and third-placed Sweden's Anna Swenn Larsson, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

United States' Mikaela Shiffrin speeds down the course during an alpine ski, women's slalom race, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

United States' Mikaela Shiffrin arrives at the finish area of an alpine ski, women's slalom race, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

United States' Mikaela Shiffrin speeds down the course during an alpine ski, women's slalom race, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Marco Trovati)

United States' Mikaela Shiffrin at the finish area of an alpine ski, women's slalom race, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

United States' Mikaela Shiffrin at the finish area of an alpine ski, women's slalom race, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

United States' Mikaela Shiffrin speeds down the course during an alpine ski, women's slalom race, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Marco Trovati)

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Sahibzada Farhan smashed his first century in the format and Usman Tariq confused Namibia with mystery spin as Pakistan secured a Super 8 spot at cricket's Twenty20 World Cup with a 102-run win on Wednesday.

Elsewhere, defending champion India beat the Netherlands by 17 runs to finish unbeaten in Group A, while South Africa chased down a victory target of 123 with 40 balls to spare against the United Arab Emirates to remain undefeated in Group D.

In Colombo, Pakistan opening batter Farhan made 100 not out off 58 balls with four sixes and 11 boundaries. Captain Salman Ali Agha hit 38 while Farhan and Shadab Khan (36 not out) carried Pakistan to 199-3 against Namibia in Group A.

Tariq, who has a distinctive pause-and-bowl action, then grabbed 4-16 and Khan took 3-19 as Namibia was dismissed for 97 in 17.3 overs, its fourth straight loss in the group.

Pakistan needed a win at Sinhalese Sports Club to end any hope for the United States and Farhan’s blazing century provided the 2009 champion with a strong total.

Farhan's second fifty came off just 20 balls. Khan provided a late flurry, smashing three sixes.

Namibia opener Louren Steenkamp top-scored in the chase with a 22-ball 23 and Alexander Busing-Volschenk (20) was the other batter to reach double figures as Pakistan's spinners struck at regular intervals.

Tariq bowled a double-wicket maiden over and baffled the middle order with his sharp googlies and carrom balls as Namibia lost six wickets for just 18 runs after collapsing from 79-4.

In Ahmedabad, Shivam Dube hit 66 off 31 balls to help India recover from 69-3 to reach 193-6 before the Netherlands replied with 176-7.

India, which had already qualified for the Super 8s, stretched its winning record to 12 games in T20 World Cups since 2024.

Abhishek Sharma fell for a third straight duck in the competition, bowled by Aryan Dutt in the first over.

Dutt also accounted for the in-form Ishan Kishan (18).

Tilak Varma (31) and skipper Suryakumar Yadav then added 30 off 28 balls. Yadav was dropped on 13 and went on to score 34.

The acceleration came with Dube’s arrival at the crease. He hit six sixes, using the slower pace of the Dutch bowlers to his advantage, and raced to 50 off 25 balls.

Hardik Pandya scored 30 off 21 deliveries as the pair added 76 off 35 balls.

The Netherlands was never likely to reach its target. Bas de Leede made 33 and opener Michael Levitt hit 24.

Mystery leg-spinner Varun Chakravarthy picked up 3-14 in three overs while Dube starred with the ball as well, taking 2-35 in three overs.

In Delhi, South Africa restricted the UAE to 122-6 with Corbin Bosch returning 3-12 from four overs and fellow paceman Anrich Nortje claiming 2-28.

The South Africans raced to 123-4 in 13.2 overs, taking the last seven runs in singles after their fourth wicket fell.

Rain showers delayed the start of South Africa’s reply and then the first over netted just one run.

But the Proteas powered toward victory by adding 13 runs off the second over and 18 from the third until Haider Ali bowled skipper Aiden Markram for 28 from 11 balls.

Dewald Brevis made 36 before he was out within two scoring shots of victory, and Ryan Rickelton hit 30 as the 2024 runner-up dominated the bowling.

For the UAE, Alishan Sharafu compiled 45 from 38 deliveries before he was caught in the outfield off Nortje’s bowling in the 18th over.

It was South Africa’s fourth consecutive win in the tournament, including a double-tiebreaker victory over 2024 semifinalist Afghanistan that required two Super Overs.

The Proteas finished top of the “group of death” – which also saw New Zealand qualify – and will take on India, West Indies and Zimbabwe in Group 1 of the Super 8s.

New Zealand, England, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are in Group 2.

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

Pakistan's Usman Tariq, right , celebrates with captain Salman Ali Agha, centre, the wicket of Namibia's Ruben Trumpelmann during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Namibia and Pakistan in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

Pakistan's Sahibzada Farhan plays a shot during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Namibia and Pakistan in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

Pakistan's Sahibzada Farhan celebrates his century during the T20 World Cup cricket match between Namibia and Pakistan in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

United Arab Emirates' Haider Ali, centre, celebrates the wicket of during the T20 World Cup cricket match between South Africa and United Arab Emirates in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

South Africa's Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton celebrate during the T20 World Cup cricket match between South Africa and United Arab Emirates in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

United Arab Emirates' Muhammad Arfan reacts after bowls a delivery during the T20 World Cup cricket match between South Africa and United Arab Emirates in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

South Africa's Dewald Brevis hits a six during the T20 World Cup cricket match between South Africa and United Arab Emirates in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

South Africa's Ryan Rickelton and South Africa's Dewald Brevis celebrate during the T20 World Cup cricket match between South Africa and United Arab Emirates in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

South Africa's David Miller, left, and United Arab Emirates' captain Muhammad Waseem walk into the field before the start of their T20 World Cup cricket match between South Africa and United Arab Emirates in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

South Africa team sing their national anthem at the start of the T20 World Cup cricket match between South Africa and United Arab Emirates in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)