Tomba Warns Shiffrin of Fatigue Ahead of Milano Cortina 2026
As we inch closer to the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, the competitive winds are already starting to swirl around the alpine skiing circuit. None more so than in the renewed connection between two legends of the sport, Italy’s La Bomba himself, Alberto Tomba, and the unstoppable force out of the USA, Mikaela Shiffrin.
In a world dominated by technology and athletic advancement, it’s perhaps ironic—and refreshing—that wisdom from past champions still carries weight. Alberto Tomba, the exuberant Italian ski legend, recently had words of caution for Shiffrin as she eyes gold at the 2026 Games.
Tomba: Passing the Torch, but Not Without a Warning
While most athletes and former champions heaped praise on Shiffrin after her jaw-dropping record-breaking achievements, Tomba took a different yet insightful route, emphasizing the challenges that lie ahead.
“If I look at it, she still has to pace herself. Fatigue is a real risk. When you’re racing on this level, especially going into an Olympic season, the pressure builds up. You have to be very, very careful,” Tomba explained.
It’s not every day a sporting icon like Tomba issues a direct piece of advice, and when he does, it’s best to listen.
Tomba knows better than most how energy management becomes more crucial the closer you get to the Games. The three-time Olympic gold medallist has been in Shiffrin’s skis before—sitting atop the world of alpine skiing with an avalanche of media pressure and national expectations closing in.
Fatigue is a warning that great champions must heed carefully:
“I hope she can keep it together, particularly in the second half of the World Cup season going into the Olympics,” Tomba added. It’s not just a technical challenge, but the psychological marathon that often demands more from an athlete.
The Shiffrin Factor: Chasing History Relentlessly
Mikaela Shiffrin is no stranger to hardships; she’s faced tough times over her career but always manages to rise above the difficulties. Following her successful campaigns in Sochi (2014) and PyeongChang (2018), and her World Cup record of 87 victories to her name, she’s well on track to becoming not just a legend in her time, but a skiing immortal.
It’s not easy being the one.
Tomba and Shiffrin share more than just skiing accolades—they are both beloved for their personalities off it. Shiffrin is humble and introspective, offering measured responses to what lies ahead in Italy, while Tomba always injected his signature enthusiasm into post-race interviews. However, one facet of recognition binds them both: pressure.
“Everyone expects her to win everything,” says Tomba. “Having too much power comes with too much responsibility.” Even with rivalries showing up from emerging talents on the alpine ski circuit, the globe will have their eyes firmly on Shiffrin as she checks off yet another target: possibly more than one Olympic medal in the upcoming weeks.
The clock is ticking, clearly. Shiffrin turns 31 the year of the 2026 Games, which is relatively young in alpine skiing terms but also marks a critical moment where mental and physical reserves could show signs of wear.
As if preparing for one more great crescendo, her focus is laser-like, yet one must consider the whispers of caution coming from those who’ve been there.
The Homefield Advantage: Italy Welcomes Icons
Tomba, forever beloved in his home country, understands this better than anyone. Milano Cortina will echo with the roar of Italian fans. Whether watching homegrown talents like Sofia Goggia and Federica Brignone go for their respective golds, or saluting Shiffrin as she aims for glory, the enthusiasm will be immense.
“For any skier, competing in Italy is special… Milano Cortina will be electric,” Shiffrin noted enthusiastically. “I love racing here; the atmosphere always feels magical.”
Italy has been a place of victories for Shiffrin—in fact, her record-breaking 83rd World Cup win came at Kronplatz, Italy. The anticipation for the 2026 Winter Olympics is fueled not just by these records, but now with a knowing nod from Tomba himself.
The stars could align once again, but that doesn’t negate the wisdom of pacing.
Tomba & Shiffrin: Legends of Two Eras Crossing Paths
In many ways, Tomba and Shiffrin’s conversation leading to Milano Cortina 2026 is more than just a passing of the generational baton, but rather, a respectful nod in mutual understanding of what it takes to dominate a mountain, and how to handle the pressures of an Olympic Games.
For all the advancements in training methods, data analytics, and equipment technology making today’s athletes seemingly more prepared than ever, the enduring message about managing fatigue is timeless. As Alberto Tomba so wisely reminded Mikaela Shiffrin—technology has evolved, but wear and tear transcends eras.
The world may soon witness Mikaela add more gold to her remarkable career as she competes in Italy, yet she will certainly do so with Tomba’s advice lightly nudging her through the journey. While the athletic competition remains fierce, it is this conference of legends—past and present—that subtly shapes the outcomes we might see unfold on those icy courses.
The brighter the light shines, the more heat it endures.
Final Thoughts: The Balancing Act of Greatness
Tomba’s warning about fatigue may not be the flashy headline some might expect, but it’s all the more fundamental. Shiffrin, the powerhouse she is, has managed the exhausting travel-based life of a ski racer meticulously thus far, but the crescendo of Olympic seasons can break even the strongest.
How she chooses to navigate both the mental and physical demands leading up to and during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics could very well define the next chapter of her extraordinary career.
And while Tomba’s words may come with caution, they also come with admiration—and as the two prepare for this upcoming spectacle, it’s hard to imagine a more fitting stage for another epic Olympic story to unfold.
The question is no longer just Can Shiffrin win? but also Will she pace herself perfectly to do so?
Only time will tell.
