Mikaela Shiffrin's Parents Shaped Her Skiing Journey

From father Jeff's legacy to mother Eileen's unwavering support, the Shiffrin family has been central to the champion skier's success.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Mikaela Shiffrin has become the winningest World Cup skier ever, with 108 victories. As she heads into her final slalom race at the 2026 Winter Olympics, the story of her family's influence on her journey is coming to the forefront. Her late father, Jeff, introduced her to skiing and left a lasting legacy, while her mother, Eileen, has been a steady presence, offering coaching and strategic insights that have been crucial to Shiffrin's success.

Why it matters

Shiffrin's story highlights the profound impact parents can have on an athlete's development and career. The Shiffrin family's dedication to the sport and to supporting Mikaela through triumphs and tragedies serves as an inspiring example of the power of family in shaping a champion.

The details

Jeff Shiffrin, an avid skier himself, introduced Mikaela and her brother Taylor to skiing at a young age. He balanced his career as an anesthesiologist with a deep passion for capturing the action on the slopes, photographing Mikaela and other U.S. Ski Team athletes. His sudden death in 2020 had a profound impact on Shiffrin, but her mother, Eileen, became an even more central figure, offering coaching and strategic insights that have been crucial to Mikaela's success.

  • Mikaela Shiffrin was introduced to skiing as soon as she could walk.
  • Jeff Shiffrin passed away on February 2, 2020, at the age of 65.
  • Mikaela Shiffrin is competing in her final slalom race at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina.

The players

Mikaela Shiffrin

A champion skier who has become the winningest World Cup skier ever, with 108 victories.

Jeff Shiffrin

Mikaela's late father, who was an avid skier and photographer, and introduced Mikaela and her brother to skiing at a young age.

Eileen Shiffrin

Mikaela's mother, who has become a central figure in her daughter's career, offering coaching and strategic insights that have been crucial to Mikaela's success.

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What they’re saying

“She sees movements and the way they can create power. A lot of skiing is about physics..It's like you have to have a mathematical understanding, and then you have to just grasp how each movement plays a role in generating speed. She has that.”

— Mikaela Shiffrin, Two-time Olympic champion (The Washington Post)

“She can watch someone racing, and halfway down the course she can say, 'They're going to be up a tenth [of a second] or down a tenth,' with shocking precision and accuracy.”

— Taylor Shiffrin, Mikaela's brother (The Washington Post)

What’s next

Mikaela Shiffrin will compete in her final slalom race at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina, where she will look to add another medal to her collection.

The takeaway

The Shiffrin family's dedication to the sport of skiing and their unwavering support for Mikaela through both triumphs and tragedies serve as an inspiring example of the power of family in shaping a champion athlete.