Mikaela Shiffrin gets new head coach, an Alpine skiing trailblazer

Mikaela Shiffrin has a new head coach starting after this season — Karin Harjo, who as of last year as the Canadian women’s head coach was the only woman leading a national Alpine skiing team on the World Cup.

Harjo, who has coached for 23 years, including with the U.S. women’s team from 2015 to 2022, replaces Mike Day, who worked with Shiffrin from 2016 until last month.

Harjo will start in her new role next month, after this week’s season-ending World Cup Finals. Shiffrin, who in her most recent race on Saturday broke the career Alpine World Cup wins record, is expected to race a super-G on Thursday, a slalom on Saturday and a giant slalom on Sunday (broadcast schedule here).

“I’m really looking forward to working with Karin again, this time more directly as my new head coach,” Shiffrin said in a press release. “For a large part of my career, I’ve gotten to work with her here and there with her positions on the women’s tech team and then speed team in more recent years. I’ve witnessed her exceptional work ethic, her ability to work well with other coaches, and most importantly her connection and dedication to her athletes. I believe she can add a huge benefit to my program in the coming years and will provide a fresh and new way of thinking as we move forward.”

Harjo led a Canadian women’s team that last season earned its first world championships medal in 20 years (Laurence St-Germain‘s slalom gold over Shiffrin) and first World Cup win in seven years (Valerie Grenier in a giant slalom).

Before that, Harjo was an assistant coach for the U.S. women’s technical program (slalom and giant slalom) from 2015-17 and an assistant coach for the U.S. women’s speed program (downhill and super-G) from 2017 to 2022.

“I am beyond