Mikaela Shiffrin of Team USA competed in her first race at the Beijing Olympics on Friday, participating in the women’s super-G, but she didn’t place. Shiffrin had crashed out of her first two events, the slalom and giant slalom, which was a huge disappointment for the Olympic gold medalist in both disciplines. She also came into these Games with great expectations of becoming the first American alpine skier to win three medals at a single Winter Olympics.
“It feels like a huge letdown,” Shiffrin said after the second collision on Wednesday. She got off to a strong start in the super-G today, but she lost time as she progressed over the course, finishing provisionally ninth. The event is still going on.
Hours ahead of racing, she tweeted: “Well I’ve had a lot of support over the last 48 hours and I have to thank everyone for that. Today is Super G, and Super G is fun. I can’t express how grateful I am to have the opportunity to refocus on a new race, in the sport that I love so much. Onward.”
Well I’ve had a lot of support over the last 48 hours and I have to thank everyone for that.
Today is Super G, and Super G is fun. I can’t express how grateful I am to have the opportunity to refocus on a new race, in the sport that I love so much. Onward.— Mikaela Shiffrin (@MikaelaShiffrin) February 10, 2022
