In its series of profiles, the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) has profiled legendary ski racer Mikaela Shiffrin in the latest installment. Entitled “The Unconventional G.O.A.T.,” Shiffrin discusses what got her into the sport of skiing — and the answer might surprise you. “I was pretty unsure about the sport for quite a few years, but I really liked hot chocolate and french fries and that was always the snack we would have when we went skiing so then I was like maybe this isn’t so bad,” the 29-year-old athlete admits with a slight chuckle.
Shiffrin discusses her introverted nature and the challenges that can bring when you are competing on the global stage as well as the energy she gets from skiing. “I need recovery time from social interaction from media, from being in the public guy. I need to recover from that. I think skiing is actually something that works for me because when we’re racing […] it’s still like I’m in a bubble, I can focus on the task. I can focus on my job. I can focus on my turn.” Another thing that recharges her social battery is napping, which has given Shiffrin the nickname ‘Sir-Naps-A-Lot’ among her friends and teammates.
Watch this endearing profile of the most successful alpine skier of all time on the FIS YouTube channel.
