Mikaela Shiffrin to Skip World Cup Finals in Andorra to Prioritize Knee Recovery

In a decision that reflects both strategic caution and long-term planning, American skiing star Mikaela Shiffrin has officially announced that she will not compete in the upcoming World Cup Finals in Soldeu, Andorra. The choice comes as she continues to recover from a knee injury sustained earlier this season, with her team emphasizing that taking additional time off is crucial to ensure a complete and proper healing process.

Shiffrin, a five-time overall World Cup champion and one of the most decorated skiers in the history of the sport, injured her left knee during a crash in a downhill race in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, back in January. The crash forced her to withdraw from several key events, including the speed races and portions of the World Championships season. Though she made a brief return to competition in March and even secured a podium finish in Are, Sweden, it became evident that the injury still required careful management.

In a statement released by the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team, Shiffrin expressed her disappointment at missing the season finale, but emphasized that her health and longevity in the sport must take priority.

“It’s incredibly hard to sit out any race, especially the Finals,” Shiffrin said. “But after discussing with my team and medical staff, we’ve decided that it’s best to give my knee more time to heal. I want to come back strong and ready for a full season next year, and this is a necessary step toward that goal.”

The 29-year-old has had an illustrious career marked by consistency, dominance, and a relentless drive to improve. With 97 World Cup victories to her name, she remains the winningest alpine skier in history—surpassing Ingemar Stenmark’s long-standing record in 2023. But even for an athlete of her caliber, the toll of injuries can be significant, and pushing too hard too soon could jeopardize future seasons.

Her absence in Andorra also means she will not be in contention for any of the discipline titles this year, though she already had limited chances due to time missed earlier in the season. Rivals such as Lara Gut-Behrami, Federica Brignone, and Petra Vlhova will take center stage in her absence as the season concludes.

Fans and teammates alike have expressed their support for Shiffrin’s decision. U.S. Ski & Snowboard Alpine Director Patrick Riml noted that the long-term perspective is vital for athletes of Shiffrin’s level. “Mikaela has given everything to this sport. The most important thing now is that she recovers fully and comes back even stronger. We support her 100 percent.”

Looking ahead, Shiffrin’s team indicated that the summer and fall training periods will be critical for building back strength and confidence in her knee. While she remains eager to return to the snow at full capacity, the exact timeline will be guided by her physical progress and input from her medical team.

For now, the skiing world will have to wait to see Shiffrin back in action, but her decision underscores a growing awareness in elite sports about the importance of injury management and athlete well-being. While fans may miss her breathtaking turns and unmatched precision on the slopes of Andorra, there is comfort in knowing that she’s making the right moves to ensure her brilliant career continues for years to come.