Mikaela Shiffrin opens up on nearly quitting following crash that triggered PTSD symptoms

Mikaela Shiffrin has her sights firmly set on the upcoming Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, but the road leading her there has been far more uncertain and emotionally demanding than many might realise. The American skiing icon has revealed that, not long ago, she came close to walking away from the sport altogether after a terrifying crash left her battling both physical injuries and symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest alpine skiers of all time, Shiffrin suffered a frightening accident during a race in November 2024 that threatened not only her season, but potentially her entire career. The fall was severe, leaving her with a puncture wound measuring five centimetres, located just a millimetre from her colon. The seriousness of the injury meant the consequences could have been far worse, and the incident left a lasting impact on her body and mind.

Although Shiffrin has since managed to return to competitive skiing, she has admitted that the journey back was filled with doubt and internal conflict. Now 30, the two-time Olympic gold medallist revealed that there were moments when she questioned whether she had the strength to fight her way back to the level required to remain competitive at the top of the sport.

In an interview with People, Shiffrin spoke candidly about the mental strain she experienced during her recovery. She explained that as she worked her way back last season, she faced the real possibility of losing her ranking in giant slalom, a discipline that has been central to her success. That uncertainty forced her to confront uncomfortable questions about her future.

Mikaela Shiffrin of Team USA in actionCredit: Getty

Mikaela Shiffrin suffers terrifying fall during raceCredit: AFP

She admitted that she had to ask herself whether she could realistically return to a standard high enough to earn the World Cup points needed to maintain her standing. The alternative, she acknowledged, might have meant the end of her giant slalom career altogether. The idea of starting from scratch again, both physically and mentally, felt overwhelming.

Shiffrin revealed that she was not sure she had it in her to climb back from such a difficult place if things did not go her way. The emotional toll of injury, combined with the relentless demands of elite competition, made the prospect of continuing feel daunting at times.

She also shed light on the complicated process of returning to World Cup racing after a serious injury, highlighting how the sport’s points system plays a crucial role in shaping an athlete’s comeback. When a skier is sidelined through injury, their World Cup points can be temporarily frozen, preserving their ranking and allowing them to return without immediately losing their competitive status.

However, Shiffrin explained that once an athlete returns to racing, those protections disappear. The frozen points are unfrozen, the injury status is lifted, and the skier must once again earn points through competition. Without strong results, rankings can quickly slip away, creating a steep uphill battle.

World Cup points are especially significant because they determine bib numbers, which in turn influence start positions. A favourable bib number allows a skier to start earlier, often in better course conditions. Falling down the rankings can therefore have a major impact on performance, making it even harder to regain form after time away.

Despite these challenges, Shiffrin has pushed forward, balancing the demands of a comeback with the expectations of a full competitive season. With the Winter Olympics fast approaching, her focus has sharpened, and her ambitions are clear.

She acknowledged that medals are very much on her mind as she prepares for Milan-Cortina. At the same time, she recognises that her current season sits somewhere between recovery and all-out competition. Rather than overanalysing every step, she has chosen to trust the process and keep moving forward.

Shiffrin described her approach as riding the wave, concentrating on daily work and progress rather than constantly questioning where she stands. For an athlete who has achieved so much, that mindset reflects both resilience and a renewed appreciation for the challenges of her sport.

Her openness offers a rare glimpse into the psychological battles faced by elite athletes, even those at the very top. While her achievements may suggest invincibility, Shiffrin’s story is a reminder that recovery is not just about healing the body, but also about rebuilding confidence, belief, and purpose.

As the Winter Games draw closer, Shiffrin remains determined to compete at the highest level once again. Having come through injury, doubt, and fear, she now stands focused on the slopes ahead, driven by ambition, experience, and a refusal to let one traumatic moment define the end of her extraordinary career.