Alpine Skiing: Need for Speed Keeps Me Going, Says Record-Breaker Shiffrin

Gold medalist Mikaela Shiffrin of the U.S. celebrates with her medal on the podium after the women’s Alpine Combined in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, on Feb. 15, 2021. Leonhard Foeger/Reuters

CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy—American Mikaela Shiffrin claimed a record-breaking ninth world championships podium finish by taking gold in the women’s combined on Monday and said winning a medal was a bonus on top of the adrenaline rush alpine skiing generates.

The 25-year-old from Vail, Colorado, topped the standings in the combined event after an impeccable two-leg performance which saw her spring from third in the super-G to first place after brushing aside her rivals in the slalom.