Who Is Mikaela Shiffrin? Everything You Need to Know

Mikaela Shiffrin of the USA takes 1st place during the Alpine Ski World Cup Women's Slalom, Jan. 14, 2014, in Flachau, Austria. (Christophe Pallot/Agence Zoom/Getty Images)

Name: Mikaela Shiffrin

Events: Slalom, Giant Slalom

Stats: 18; 5 foot 7

Hometown: Vail, Colorado

Olympic Record: none

Background: Though she is competing in the Olympics for the first time, Shiffrin nevertheless will be one of the most closely watched competitors at this year's games.

In 2011, just weeks after her 16th birthday, in her first U.S. National Championships, her win in the slalom made her the youngest American to ever win a national Alpine title.

The following year, she took gold at the World Cup in Switzerland, followed by first-place finishes at the 2013 World Championships in Austria and 2013 World Cup in Beaver Creek, Colo.