Iranian skier Sadaf Saveh Shemshaki said she is happy with her performance at the 2026 Winter Olympics. She finished 53rd in the women’s slalom with a combined time of 2:18.59. Meanwhile, the gold medal went to American skier Mikaela Shiffrin (1:39.10). Switzerland’s Camille Rast (1:40.60) took silver, and Sweden’s Anna Swenn-Larsson (1:40.81) won bronze.
“In the women’s slalom, I managed to finish the race. Therefore, I am happy with my result. Four years ago, our athlete could not cross the finish line, but this time I succeeded,” Saveh Shemshaki said. “Moreover, the slope was icy, and the course was challenging. However, my training helped me perform well.”
She explained that long and consistent training is key. “To improve in skiing, athletes must train on snow for eight months each year. In addition, strength and fitness exercises are important. For better preparation, we need to train on glaciers like Hintertux in Austria or at indoor ski slopes, such as in Dubai,” she said.
Saveh Shemshaki also emphasized the importance of structured training. “Skiing needs careful planning and proper methods. To succeed internationally, skiers must attend training camps. Furthermore, training should mimic competition conditions, including the type of snow. This way, the skier can feel like they are in a real race,” she added.
One major challenge for Iranian skiers is the short skiing season. “The limited season affects our performance in world championships and the Olympics. Therefore, the solution is for the skiing federation to plan properly, hold regular training camps, and arrange practice on artificial snow that matches competition conditions,” she said.
She concluded that proper planning and training can improve results. “In the end, better preparation will help our athletes compete at a higher level and achieve stronger results,” Saveh Shemshaki noted. Her dedication highlights the growing effort of Iranian athletes to perform well on the world stage, even under challenging conditions.