Lindsey Vonn was ‘disappointed’ with way Mikaela Shiffrin handled the choice to race with another teammate

SAALBACH-HINTERGLEMM, Austria (AP) – They are the two greatest skiers in United States history. Specifically, in women’s skiing in general.

It’s hardly surprising that having Lindsey Vonn and Mikaela Shiffrin on the same team might lead to conflict.

It happened years ago, when Vonn was nearing the end of her career and Shiffrin was just starting out. And now it’s happening again, with Vonn returning to racing at the age of 40, nearly six years after retiring.

But who thought that the all-new team-based event would bring the tension to the surface?

Vonn expressed disappointment with Shiffrin’s choice to participate in the combined event at the skiing world championships alongside downhill world champion Breezy Johnson, rather than forming a “dream team.”

Vonn had hoped to race with Shiffrin on an American squad that would have included the two most successful skiers in World Cup history. Never mind that neither skier is officially permitted to choose who they partner with; the U.S. team’s coaching staff makes that decision based on “season-best results” in both downhill and slalom.

Shiffrin withdrew from the team combined race due to a lack of giant slalom training after a November collision in Killington, Vermont.

Shiffrin made a modification to her plans Monday. She stated that she was struggling to overcome her worries following her November fall, so she chose to withdraw from defending her giant slalom championship and run the combined instead, teaming with Johnson. Shiffrin will compete in the slalom, while Johnson will race the downhill.

Slalom has lower speeds than giant slalom, making it a less risky sport.

“I’m happy for Breezy and Mikaela to work together, and I think they’ll make an excellent combination. However, I am upset in how it was handled,” Vonn told The Associated Press.

Vonn said she contacted Shiffrin, who agreed it would be amazing to compete together. However, Vonn was then informed that Shiffrin will not be competing in the combined. Vonn just found out about Shiffrin’s ultimate choice to race it via Instagram.

“Despite the lack of communication I am a team player and am looking forward to be partnered with AJ Hurt, who is an amazing young skier,” he said.

Shiffrin’s spokesperson declined to comment on the matter.

A new event has one racer participating in downhill and another in slalom.

The combined event consists of one racer participating in a downhill run and another in a slalom run, with the two times put together to determine the final results. Each nation may enter up to four partnerships.

Johnson won the world downhill title, and Shiffrin won two World Cups this season, therefore they were nominated to Team 1.

The No. 2 team consists of super-G bronze medallist Lauren Macuga and Paula Moltzan. Vonn and Hurt are ranked third, followed by Jacqueline Wiles and Katie Hensien in fourth place.

Shiffrin and Vonn have the most World Cup victories among female racers, with 99 and 82, respectively. Vonn has the most World Cup downhill victories (43), while Shiffrin has the most slalom victories (62), both among men and women.

“I think it would be probably one of the coolest things in ski racing to have 181 World Cup victories on one team,” Vonn stated only a week prior.

While Hurt, 24, has never won a World Cup event, she has finished third twice, once in slalom and once in giant slalom last season.

Vonn reacts with astonishment on social media, then deletes a post.

Before delivering her explanatory comment, Vonn looked angry that Shiffrin was not racing beside her.

“Why am I not surprised?” Vonn posted a shrug emoji on X after witnessing Shiffrin’s Instagram news.

Vonn erased the previous statement and replaced it with a new post on X, stating, “I am a team player and always support my team no matter what.” I am not shocked by the judgements taken, but it is evident that they are not mine. “I’ve always been supportive and respectful, and that won’t change,” Vonn added, ending with a Go USA flag emoji.

Mikaela Shiffrin reflects on her 100th World Cup victory in an in-depth interview

Mikaela Shiffrin questioned if she’d be able to compete again this season following a massive slalom collision on November 30, let alone return to the top of a World Cup podium so soon after winning her record-extending 100th career race last Sunday.

Shiffrin discussed the victory in an in-depth interview for a Stifel Snow Show episode that aired Saturday (available on the NBC Sports YouTube channel). The extended interview is at the top of this page.

“There’s so much more meaning to this one than a number or a record,” she told me. “I wouldn’t call it a relief. It’s almost surprising given what’s transpired in the previous several months. I honestly did not expect 100 to happen this season, so I am grateful.”

Shiffrin was remarkably injury-free for the first 12 years of her World Cup participation.

However, in 2024, she suffered two major crashes, including spraining her left leg ligaments in a downhill tumble in January. She missed 11 races last winter.

Then, following the November 30 collision, she was out of competition for two months. She had a penetrating wound that tore oblique muscles and almost punctured organs.

“It has been feeling very similar, to be honest, to this kind of mental fog that I had the year after my dad passed (in 2020),” she told me. “So communicating that, talking with my psychologist, talking with teammates, letting anybody and everybody kind of give me advice, and the main thing that everyone said is the only way to move through this is to get the exposure and to keep doing it (ski racing).”

Shiffrin’s upcoming events are a World Cup giant slalom and slalom in Åre, Sweden, next weekend.

She will turn 30 on March 13 before competing in the World Cup Finals in Sun Valley, Idaho, from March 22 to 27.

“Thankful that I get to hold his love in my heart”- Mikaela Shiffrin expresses her feelings for fiancé Aleksander Kilde in an emotional message

Mikaela Shiffrin expressed her sentiments for her fiancé, Aleksander Kilde, describing his constant support throughout difficult moments. The skier just achieved the milestone of winning 100 World Cup championships.

Shiffrin’s journey to this milestone was not easy, since she was involved in a serious accident during the opening days of Alpine Skiing at the World Cup in Killington. She was involved in a mishap just a few seconds before crossing the finish line and had to have surgery a week later to address her injuries. After six weeks away from the slopes, the 29-year-old returned and won her 100th World Cup championship in Sestriere.

Throughout the process, her fiancé, Kilde, has been a consistent source of support. Despite recovering from his own injuries, the 32-year-old made certain to provide thorough care for Shiffrin during this difficult period.

She sent an emotional post on Instagram, thanking him for his support and that she is ‘thankful’ to have him as the love of her life. She shared a series of images with him, and in the description, she wrote:

“It’s time for a @akilde appreciation post…” This has been a difficult season on many levels, but this guy puts things in perspective. His positive attitude and energy while coping with his personal injuries and ongoing recovery have been an inspiration to me and many others. Mikaela Shiffrin expressed gratitude for having the opportunity to cherish his love in her heart.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Mikaela Shiffrin ⛷💨 (@mikaelashiffrin)

Women’s Slalom Run 1 at the FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup: Are

The Women’s Slalom Run 1 at the FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup has been a focal point of the season, showcasing intense competition and remarkable performances. This season has been particularly eventful, with athletes like Mikaela Shiffrin, Zrinka Ljutić, and Camille Rast making significant impacts.

Mikaela Shiffrin’s Pursuit of Excellence

Mikaela Shiffrin, the American skiing sensation, commenced the season with a commanding victory in the slalom at Levi, Finland, marking her 98th World Cup win. She expressed her elation, stating, “It was an amazing way to start the slalom season, I’m super happy.” citeturn0search0 However, her momentum faced a setback in November when she suffered a puncture wound during a giant slalom race in Killington, Vermont. This injury led to a temporary withdrawal from competitions, with no clear timeline for her return.

Emergence of Zrinka Ljutić

In Shiffrin’s absence, Croatia’s Zrinka Ljutić seized the opportunity to shine. The 20-year-old skier clinched her first World Cup victory in early January and followed it up with another win shortly after, propelling her to the top of the slalom standings. Her consistent performances have positioned her as a formidable competitor this season.

Camille Rast’s Ascendancy

Swiss skier Camille Rast has also been a standout performer. She secured her first World Cup victory in December and continued her impressive form with a win in Flachau, Austria, in mid-January. These achievements have elevated her to the lead in both the slalom discipline and the overall World Cup standings.

Shiffrin’s Resilient Return

After a nine-week hiatus due to her injury, Shiffrin made a much-anticipated return at the slalom in Courchevel, France, on January 30. She finished tenth, acknowledging the importance of this race in her recovery process. Shiffrin remarked, “It was a very important step in my recovery to see how I am stacking up with the top skiers in the world and to see what I can work on to improve my skiing.”

Historic 100th Victory

Demonstrating remarkable resilience, Shiffrin clinched her 100th World Cup victory in Sestriere, Italy, on February 23. She won the slalom event, finishing 0.61 seconds ahead of Croatia’s Zrinka Ljutić, becoming the first skier, male or female, to reach triple digits in World Cup race victories.

Looking Ahead

As the season progresses, the competition in the Women’s Slalom continues to intensify. With Shiffrin’s return and the emergence of talents like Ljutić and Rast, fans can anticipate thrilling races ahead. The upcoming events will undoubtedly test the athletes’ skills and determination as they vie for the coveted World Cup title

Mikaela Shiffrin’s boyfriend, Aleksander Kilde, expressed his sentiments over the skier’s 100th World Cup triumph.

Shiffrin and her fiance, Aleksander Kilde – Source

On February 23, 2025, Mikaela Shiffrin won her 100th World Cup in Sestriere, Italy, cementing her legacy. She had the quickest run in the first slalom, but was slower in the second; still, her combined time of 1:50.33 was enough to beat Croatia’s Zrinka Ljutic by 0.61 seconds.

Alexander Kilde, Shiffrin’s fiance, congratulated her on her remarkable performance. He turned to Instagram, where he shared a lovely photo of them as well as a photo of himself laying in a hospital bed. He also included an appreciative remark in the caption of this image, referring to his girlfriend as the ‘GOAT.’

“Sorry Mikaela, I know you dislike the GOAT talk, but occasionally your man should be able to boast 🐐. Today marks your 100th World Cup triumph – awesome! I’m very proud of you, and best of luck to anybody tries to challenge that record. But what shines out much more is who you are every day, which is far more important than any amount of achievements. Mikaela Shiffrin’s fiance wrote, “It’s just a number.”

He highlighted his photo on the hospital bed, adding:

“On another note, I watched this from a hospital bed – just after a planned and (hopefully 🤞🏻) my last shoulder surgery 👊🏻”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Aleksander Aamodt Kilde (@akilde)

Mikaela Shiffrin and Aleksander Kilde announced their engagement on April 5, 2024, on Instagram, with the former showing off her ring. The pair has been together for several years, having met at a ski camp for the first time.

Was this article helpful?

Mikaela Shiffrin responds to teammates Jessie Diggins and Julia Kern’s amazing achievement at the World Championships

Mikaela Shiffrin just won her 100th race, cementing her place in alpine skiing history. The 29-year-old recently expressed her thoughts on cross-country skiers Jessie Diggins and Julia Kern’s historic silver medal triumph at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championship 2025.

Diggins and Kern won their second World Ski Championship. The skiers won the country’s second World Championship medal in the classic event. They last earned a bronze World Championship medal in the skate team sprint two years ago, according to US Ski & Snowboard. Diggins has three Olympic medals, while Kern has won two World Championship medals.

Shiffrin won the gold medal in the 2025 World Alpine Ski Championships team combined event alongside Breezy Johnson. She revealed her feelings on Diggins and Kern’s accomplishment at the team sprint classic event in Trondheim, Norway, via an Instagram post. She mentioned:

“Congrats @jessiediggins and @juliakernski !!🤩🤩”

Screenshot of Mikaela Shiffrin’s Instagram Story | Credits: IG/mikaelashiffrin

Mikaela Shiffrin won her 100th slalom event last month in Sestriere, Italy. She is one of the most accomplished competitive alpine skiers, with 16 globes, 15 World Championship medals, and a FIS World Cup record of 17 triumphs. She has also won 8 World Cup slaloms at Levi, a venue record.

Mikaela Shiffrin discusses her determination to return to skiing after a big slalom injury.

Mikaela Shiffrin at the Audi FIS Ski World Cup Sestriere 2025 – Source: Getty

Mikaela Shiffrin is one of the finest alpine skiers in history, and she has received countless distinctions during her illustrious career. She has returned to competitive skiing after sustaining catastrophic injuries in a fall in Killington, Vermont, in November 2024. She addressed her motive for returning to “Good Morning America” during her visit.

“So this season, I was home for a period of time doing rehab and just trying to get the muscle function of my oblique back moving, and the entire time, I thought that if I could just go back to skiing, everything would be OK. Everything will be OK again, it will be enjoyable, and I will be able to move on from this traumatic experience.” She shared. [From 2:01 onwards]

Shiffrin shared that she suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and that returning has been “overwhelming”. The skier has 63 World Cup slalom wins and stated that her 100th World Cup victory, also in a slalom competition, came “a little bit more naturally” as a result of her previous expertise.

Mikaela Shiffrin’s mother expresses her emotions regarding her daughter’s milestone achievement, stating, “She may not ski again this season”

Mikaela Shiffrin’s mother, Eileen Shiffrin, congratulated her daughter and her team on their tremendous accomplishments this year. The skier just returned to the sport following a devastating injury.

Shiffrin made history by winning her 100th World Cup on February 23 in Sestriere, Italy. She won the event with the quickest combined time of 1:50.33. She defeated Zrinka Ljutic by 0.61 seconds, while her fellow American skier Paula Moltzan won bronze.

A few days earlier, she and her partner and childhood teammate, Breezy Johnson, won gold in the first-ever combined team event at the World Championships in Saalbach. Shiffrin won her 15th gold medal, shattering the previous record.

Following these great victories, the American’s mother rushed to Instagram, posting a series of images with a heartwarming statement. She praised her daughter and teammates for their amazing achievements and pondered on her daughter’s journey following injury, when she initially feared she wouldn’t ski again this year.

“Several weeks of fantastic performance by our girls, who continue to smile despite the ups and downs of being so far away from home. Congratulations to all of these athletes for their courage, resilience, perseverance, and performance. And to Miki, who believed she wouldn’t ski again this season, a gold medal in an inaugural WSC event, as well as a record-breaking 100th place finish. Mikaela Shiffrin’s mother commented, “These women never cease to amaze me.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Eileen Shiffrin (@eileenshiffrin)

Justin Gatlin responds as Lionel Messi prepares to play in Jamaica for the first time in his career.

“It’s like a dream come true” – Clemson gymnast Brie Clark expresses her views on Simone Biles’ recognition following record NCAA performance.

Mikaela Shiffrin expressed her views regarding the difficulties she experienced before returning to skiing.

Mikaela Shiffrin made a promising start to the 2024-25 season, but was quickly sidelined from the World Cup circuit after colliding in the giant slalom at Killington on November 30, 2024. Following her injuries, she underwent surgery to remove an old haematoma from a deeper cavity, resulting in days of recuperation.

During this period, the world-class skier had a number of emotional and bodily discomforts. In an interview with CNN, she discussed the ongoing struggle she had in getting her muscles to work.

“It’s been a daily struggle to bring my muscles back to working order. In the context of ski racing, the obliques, both internal and external, are among our most significant muscles. Aside from our legs, these are some of the most crucial components of the body. “It’s been a huge, steep uphill battle just to get back to skiing,” Mikaela Shiffrin admitted.

In November 2024, Mikaela Shiffrin realised her 20-year desire of seeing the northern lights with her mother.

Mikaela Shiffrin Clinches Historic 100th World Cup Victory, Cementing Legendary Status

In a monumental achievement that solidifies her position among alpine skiing’s all-time greats, American skier Mikaela Shiffrin secured her 100th World Cup victory on February 23, 2025, in Sestriere, Italy. This landmark win in the slalom event not only underscores her exceptional talent but also her resilience in overcoming recent adversities.

A Triumph Over Adversity

Shiffrin’s journey to this centennial victory was fraught with challenges. In November 2024, she suffered a severe crash during a giant slalom race in Killington, Vermont, leading to a puncture wound and muscle damage in her abdomen. This injury sidelined her for several weeks and introduced significant physical and psychological hurdles. Her return to competition was marked by cautious performances, but her determination culminated in this historic win.

Historic Significance

By reaching 100 World Cup wins, Shiffrin becomes the first skier, male or female, to achieve this milestone. This victory also marks her 155th career podium finish, tying the all-time record held by Swedish legend Ingemar Stenmark.

Emotional Reflections

Overwhelmed with emotion after her win, Shiffrin expressed deep gratitude towards her supporters, teammates, and competitors. She acknowledged the collective effort and support that contributed to her success, stating, “Everybody’s been so nice and so supportive. All of my teammates and competitors and coaches and the whole World Cup. I’m so grateful.”

A Legacy in the Making

At 29, Shiffrin’s illustrious career includes two Olympic gold medals, seven world championship titles, and now, an unprecedented 100 World Cup victories. Her ability to excel across multiple disciplines—slalom, giant slalom, downhill, super-G, combined, and parallel events—sets her apart in the annals of alpine skiing.

Inspiring Future Generations

Beyond her competitive achievements, Shiffrin is committed to giving back to the skiing community. She has partnered with the Share Winter Foundation to raise funds aimed at providing children with access to skiing and snowboarding programs, reflecting her dedication to nurturing the next generation of athletes.

Mikaela Shiffrin’s 100th World Cup victory is not just a personal milestone but a testament to her resilience, versatility, and enduring impact on the sport of alpine skiing.