Mikaela Shiffrin, the celebrated five-time overall World Cup champion, faced a frightening crash during a giant slalom race in Killington, Vermont. She sustained a significant puncture wound on the right side of her abdomen, as well as severe muscle trauma, although doctors confirmed that there was no serious damage to her bones, ligaments, or internal organs.
Due to her injuries, Shiffrin was unable to participate in the slalom race held the following day. The U.S. Ski Team has not provided a timeline for her return to competition. Meanwhile, Swiss skier Camille Rast took home her first World Cup victory in the slalom event.
On the day of her unfortunate incident, Shiffrin had been leading the giant slalom after her first run, pushing toward her milestone 100th World Cup win. However, as she approached the finish line during her second run, she lost her balance and collided with a gate, leading to a tumultuous fall into another gate and then into the protective fencing.
In the aftermath of the crash, Shiffrin remained on the ground for quite a while, expressing her concern over potential internal injuries. She later stated that she was in shock and unable to move. An ambulance transported her to a medical facility where evaluations revealed that she had no ligament damage, and her overall condition appeared stable. However, she did require careful monitoring due to the deep wound on her abdomen, which could not be stitched to prevent infection.
Throughout her 14-year career, Shiffrin has faced her share of injuries on the slopes, previously overcoming a torn ligament and bone bruising in her knee in 2015, as well as another knee injury in 2024. Remarkably, she managed to return to racing within two months each time.
Despite her injuries, Shiffrin’s spirit remains high, even though she was unable to attend the slalom race she has historically excelled in, winning six of her seven previous outings at Killington. The ski community knows her well, as she grew up in New Hampshire and Colorado, honing her skills at the Burke Mountain Academy. Her team noted that, while she can’t walk properly right now, she is eager to support her teammates and will be cheering for them from a distance in Killington.
