How Mikaela Shiffrin’s Latest Olympic Setback Gave a Heartbroken Teammate a Medal

Somehow Mikaela Shiffrin, the winningest ski racer of all-time, didn’t win a medal at her last Olympics, in Beijing, despite competing in six races at those Games. But entering the slalom portion of the Olympic alpine team combined event on Feb. 10 in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, a podium finish for Shiffrin, 30, seemed like a near certainty. Even in ski racing, where there are none.

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In the morning, Shiffrin’s partner for this debut Olympic event, the...