Mikaela Shiffrin Opens Up About Terrifying Injuries That Almost Ended Her Career

Olympic skiing sensation Mikaela Shiffrin is preparing to compete at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in less than a month, but the 30-year-old American has revealed that there was a moment when she feared her career in Grand Slalom might be over entirely. The two-time Olympic gold medalist recently spoke candidly about the traumatic injuries she sustained during the 2024-2025 season and the grueling road to recovery that almost forced her to retire from elite competition.

In November 2024, while pursuing her 100th World Cup victory, Shiffrin suffered a shocking crash at the Killington Cup in Vermont. The incident, which occurred on a steep section of the course, saw her flip mid-air before slamming into protective barriers. The severity of her injuries required her to be stretchered off the hill, and for many, the sight of the normally fearless skier lying motionless was alarming.

The crash left Shiffrin with a puncture wound in her hip area measuring approximately five centimeters, dangerously close to her colon—by just a millimeter. Beyond the physical trauma, the mental and emotional toll of the injury weighed heavily on her. “When I was returning last year and I was on the cusp of losing my standings in GS, that was the question,” Shiffrin told People. “Can I get myself to a high enough level to earn the World Cup points to keep my standings or not? Because if I don’t, that might be the end of my GS career.”

Shiffrin admitted the road back was not only physically taxing but also mentally exhausting. “I don’t know that I have it in me to work all the way back from that place again,” she added, reflecting on the fragility of a career built on precision, courage, and intense physical conditioning.

The Challenge of Returning to Competition

The process of returning to top-level skiing involves more than just recovering physically; it also requires careful navigation of the World Cup points system, which determines starting positions and competitive priorities. Shiffrin explained the complexity of regaining her competitive standing: “When you don’t race World Cups due to injury, you can freeze your World Cup points. World Cup points is what allows you to have a good bib number, which is what gives you a priority start number. When you return from an injury, your points unfreeze and you lose the injury status. You’re racing again, but you need to be accumulating World Cup points.”

These factors added an extra layer of stress during her comeback. Shiffrin’s dedication to regaining form had to be balanced with the pressure of maintaining her ranking, as any misstep could jeopardize her position in the sport.

Mikaela Shiffrin admitted she questioned returning to competition after her horror crash

The November 2024 crash was not her first serious injury in recent seasons. Earlier, in January 2024, Shiffrin suffered a sprained medial collateral ligament (MCL) and tibiofibular ligament in her left knee following a downhill crash. While she managed to return to competition two months later, that injury kept her out of Grand Slalom races for the remainder of the season, limiting her participation to Slalom events only. That setback made her subsequent injury even more daunting, as it occurred when she had already been rebuilding her competitive edge.

A Narrow Escape at Killington

The crash that would become a defining moment of her career happened while Shiffrin was leading after the first run of the GS and closing in on a milestone 100th World Cup victory. With just five gates remaining on Killington’s steep finish section, she lost the edge on her outside ski, which sent her flipping into a gate before sliding violently into another. Protective fencing helped slow her momentum, but the impact was jarring.

Spectators watched in stunned silence as Shiffrin remained on the course for several minutes while ski patrol administered aid. Eventually, she was taken off the hill on a sled, waving weakly to the crowd as she was assisted to the sidelines. The incident, which Shiffrin later described as feeling like she had been “impaled,” became widely shared online when she posted photos of her bruised hips and pelvis, along with a video of the puncture wound being treated at the hospital.

The Emotional Toll

Recovering from such an injury tested Shiffrin’s mental resilience as much as her physical recovery. Beyond the pain and rehabilitation, she faced the anxiety of competing again while managing the risks to her rankings and career trajectory. The stakes were particularly high in the Grand Slalom discipline, where missing World Cup points could severely compromise her ability to start with a favorable bib number in future competitions.

“I was not thinking I was going to have another injury last season, and that would take me out of GS again,” she admitted. “I was basically on the very edge of being knocked out of the top 30… and that’s a severe disadvantage.” Her honesty provided a rare glimpse into the precarious balance elite athletes must maintain between health, performance, and competitive strategy.

A Triumphant Comeback

Despite the odds, Shiffrin made an extraordinary return to the slopes. Her perseverance culminated in a historic 100th World Cup victory at Sestriere in February 2025, only months after her near-career-ending accident. Since then, she has continued to add to her record, taking her total World Cup wins to 106 this season.

Shiffrin’s career achievements are remarkable: five overall World Cup titles, two Olympic gold medals (plus a silver), and seven World Championship titles. Her resilience in the face of injury demonstrates why she remains one of the most respected and admired figures in winter sports.

Looking Ahead to Milan-Cortina

With the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina approaching, Shiffrin is focused on adding another accolade to her illustrious career. Her preparation comes after months of rigorous physical therapy, on-snow training, and mental conditioning. Each day of practice represents a delicate balance of rebuilding confidence and ensuring her body can withstand the rigors of elite competition.

Shiffrin’s story resonates far beyond the ski slopes. It highlights the physical dangers inherent in high-speed alpine skiing, the mental toughness required to overcome career-threatening setbacks, and the relentless dedication needed to perform at the very top. Her willingness to speak openly about her injuries and doubts also provides an important reminder of the human side of professional sport.

Legacy of Courage

The November 2024 crash might have derailed Shiffrin’s Grand Slalom ambitions, but it has also solidified her reputation as one of the most determined athletes in winter sports history. The combination of her skill, resilience, and unyielding competitive spirit has ensured that setbacks, no matter how severe, have not defined her career.

As she heads to Milan-Cortina, Shiffrin will not just be competing for medals; she will be representing the triumph of determination over adversity. Every run down the slopes will carry the weight of past injuries, the precision of her training, and the relentless pursuit of excellence that has marked her career.

Her story serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes worldwide: that even in the face of terrifying injuries, setbacks, and doubts, perseverance and dedication can lead to extraordinary achievements. Mikaela Shiffrin is not only a champion skier but also a testament to the power of resilience and the human spirit in the world of elite sport.