Alpine skiing champion, Mikaela Shiffrin is in an uphill battle to achieve the greatest success in the sport. She is all set to push boundaries and redefine the image of female athletes. However, her endeavor was put on pause after a series of disappointing races in major championships. Her medal count faced a drought at the Beijing Olympics last year. Although, her recent triumph at the women?s World Championship in Meribel, France has once again changed the dynamics.

Moreover, she celebrated her significant moment with a special gesture, per AP News. After receiving her gold medal, she flashed a pendant alongside the award. The necklace held two miniature pictures of her late father, whom she remembered during her glorious minute. Let?s dive into the details.?

Mikaela Shiffrin pays tribute to her late father

According to a recent article by the sources, the 27-year-old athlete seized the moment in remembrance of her dear father. She held the medal in her right hand and displayed the heart-shaped pendant on her left, as the photographs captured a treasured moment. With a wholesome smile on her face, Shiffrin aspired to cherish the instant with her father?s memory.?

Jeff Shiffrin passed away three years ago at 65. She lost him to an unfortunate incident while at their residence in Colorado. Remarkably, he strived to enhance his prodigal daughter?s skiing skills with his expertise in clinical science. He worked as an anesthesiologist and guided Shiffrin through efficient training regimens. The athlete?s indispensable focus was also encouraged by her father.?

Read More: Responding to a Great Loss in Skiing World, Olympic Legend Joins Millions in Mourning 37-Year-Old Icon

Evidently, his teachings are visible in Shiffrin?s athletic journey, as she added another gold to her list at the championships. Additionally, the win is proof of her headstrong persona after she faced quite some challenges in the past few days. A protest from environmentalists was devised against her due to a misinterpretation.? On top of that, the 4x World champion?s long-time coach Mike Day abruptly resigned as a response to one of Shiffrin?s decisions. Ducking all the pitfalls, she prevailed, victorious. Nonetheless, her father?s death has left a an absence in the family.?

The Shiffrin family?s greatest loss

As per an Instagram post on 2nd February, the 5?7? skier?s mother and coach, Eileen Shiffrin once presented a heart-wrenching poem in memory of her late husband. In addition to that, she also shared a series of pictures showcasing beautiful times together. The caption apart from the poem read, ?There are no words to describe how we still miss this guy.?

Her passionate effort reflected her love, and her family?s as a whole. A line in the poem read, “Times of loss never dim quickly?, while another spotlighted his zeal for life.?

Watch This Story:?Lindsey Vonn Praises 2X Gold Medalist Mikaela Shiffrin

Difficult times in the champion?s life may have affected her, but she has learned to get right back up. That too, from the great figure she revered her whole life, her father. With such great idols, Shiffrin was bound to be a legend. And so she is.?