Mikaela Shiffrin has solidified her place as the most decorated Alpine skier in history. The American superstar is a two-time Olympic gold medalist, five-time Overall World Cup champion, and a four-time world slalom champion. Additionally, she holds a record-breaking 99 World Cup wins, the most ever by any alpine skier, male or female combined. However, her journey hit a bump during the 2024-25 FIS Alpine Ski World Cup when a crash in the giant slalom left her with a severe injury. The fall resulted in a puncture wound and torn oblique muscles. Amidst uncertainty, fans are eagerly waiting for her return. Could it be sooner than expected?
Mikaela Shiffrin’s road to recovery
On November 30, 2024, during the World Cup event in Killington, Vermont, Mikaela Shiffrin faced a harrowing crash while vying for her 100th World Cup victory. Her ski pole's tip punctured her right abdomen, creating a seven-centimeter-deep wound and tearing both external and internal oblique muscles. Shiffrin underwent surgery to clean the puncture wound and was left immobilized on her right side for weeks.
Despite the severity, she expressed gratitude, stating, "I’m incredibly thankful the crash wasn’t worse. It was damn close to piercing some organs that would have changed this situation entirely for the worse."
Shiffrin’s rehabilitation journey has been grueling. She revealed on NBC’s Today show that returning to skiing seemed uncertain for a while. However, she slowly regained her strength and began light training sessions earlier this month.
Describing her progress, Shiffrin stated, "My muscles started working again. I’ve been able to get my strength built back up. So I’m in a really good place physically."
Now, Shiffrin is preparing to race again. The slalom event in Courchevel, France, on January 30, will mark her first competitive appearance since the crash. Although she admits she is not at 100%, the injury no longer causes her pain, and she’s optimistic about managing her performance throughout the season.
As the World Championships in Saalbach, Austria, approach, Shiffrin’s fans have reasons to celebrate. Her resilience, coupled with a relentless passion for skiing, continues to inspire the world. The queen of Alpine skiing is ready to reclaim her throne.