Mikaela Shiffrin’s news in recent weeks includes her 101st World Cup win, a historic milestone, and a focus on her recovery and return to form in giant slalom after a crash and subsequent PTSD struggles.

Mikaela Shiffrin capped her 2024–25 World Cup season by claiming her 101st career victory in the women’s slalom at the World Cup Finals in Sun Valley, Idaho, showcasing her enduring dominance in technical events and resilience amidst adversity . After suffering a traumatic crash in a giant slalom race at Killington, Vermont, last November that led to a severe abdominal puncture and a subsequent diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder, Shiffrin has been meticulously rebuilding both her physical form and her confidence on the slopes . In recent weeks, she has steadily overcome flashbacks and anxiety triggered by her crash, demonstrating significant progress in training sessions and competitive starts, particularly in her signature slalom discipline . Her journey from injury and PTSD to her record-breaking triumph offers a compelling narrative of mental health advocacy, athletic excellence, and the power of perseverance.

Historic Milestone: 101st World Cup Win

The Victory in Sun Valley

Mikaela Shiffrin secured her 101st World Cup win on March 27, 2025, at the Audi FIS World Cup Finals held in Sun Valley, Idaho, finishing with a combined time of 1:45.92 in the women’s slalom . On a challenging course riddled with bumps and ruts, she outpaced Germany’s Lena Dürr by a margin of 1.13 seconds, with Slovenia’s Andreja Slokar rounding out the podium in third place . In the aftermath, Shiffrin described the achievement as “quite a roller coaster” given the season’s ups and downs, reflecting on thrilling moments interspersed with doubts about her future in the sport . Despite missing four slalom events earlier in the season due to injury and recovery, she still finished fourth overall in the slalom standings, underscoring her exceptional consistency and skill .

Significance in Alpine Skiing History

By extending her record to 101 World Cup victories, Shiffrin further solidified her status as the most successful female alpine skier in World Cup history . Her career total now places her among the all‐time greats, surpassing the previous women’s record and moving closer to the overall wins record held by legend Ingemar Stenmark . This milestone also highlights her longevity; Shiffrin has competed full‐time on the World Cup circuit for nearly half her life, navigating evolving competition, course conditions, and the inherent pressure that accompanies a quest for records . The presence of dozens of young fans dressed as dalmatians—an homage to Disney’s “101 Dalmatians”—in the Sun Valley crowd served as a whimsical but poignant tribute to her historic achievement .

The Crash and Aftermath

Details of the Killington Crash

On November 30, 2024, during a World Cup giant slalom race in Killington, Vermont, Mikaela Shiffrin experienced one of the most harrowing crashes of her career. A sudden fall at high speed resulted in a deep puncture wound to her oblique muscles when her ski pole or binding impaled her side . The injury required immediate surgery and a two‐month recovery period, sidelining her from both slalom and giant slalom events and derailing her early‐season campaign .

Physical and Psychological Impact

Beyond the physical trauma, Shiffrin later revealed that the crash left her grappling with post-traumatic stress disorder, characterized by flashbacks and anxiety that resurfaced during training and competition preparations . She described intrusive images of crashing that would “appear out of nowhere,” disrupting her focus and making her question her ability to return safely to the giant slalom discipline . The onset of PTSD prompted her to withdraw from giant slalom events at the Winter World Championships in Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Austria, where she had been the defending gold medalist .

Battle with PTSD

Acknowledging Mental Health

Shiffrin made headlines in February 2025 when she publicly acknowledged her PTSD diagnosis and announced she would forgo defending her giant slalom title at the World Championships, choosing to prioritize her mental wellbeing over competition . In candid interviews and social media posts, she emphasized that managing mental health is as crucial as physical rehabilitation, a sentiment that resonated widely and prompted discussions about athlete mental health care .

Support and Coping Strategies

To address her PTSD, Shiffrin engaged with sports psychologists and incorporated mental skills training into her regimen, focusing on mindfulness, visualization, and gradual exposure to giant slalom scenarios . She also leaned on her team and family, crediting their support for her ability to confront the psychological aftermath of the crash. Regular sessions with a psychologist, as shown in a YouTube series episode filmed on February 12, highlighted her willingness to share the complexities of her recovery process with fans and fellow athletes .

Road to Recovery

Progress in Training

Over the winter and early spring, Shiffrin’s training diaries reflected a decline in flashback frequency, indicating her PTSD symptoms were gradually abating . While she focused exclusively on slalom at the World Cup Finals in Sun Valley—opting not to qualify for the giant slalom event at those races—her seamless runs demonstrated her technical prowess and mental resilience .

Return to Giant Slalom Competition

Shiffrin made a cautious return to giant slalom competition at Courchevel, France, on January 30, where she navigated the course conservatively to secure a 10th‐place finish, her first GS result since the Killington crash . She followed that with a 5th‐place slalom finish at the World Championships in Saalbach, showcasing her ability to perform under the intensified pressure of a major championship despite limited preparation time . Powder magazine noted her deliberate technique adjustments—such as softer edge engagement and mental checkpoint routines—that have become key components of her GS skiing post‐crash .

Return to Giant Slalom

Recent GS Starts and Results

Since her comeback, Shiffrin has continued to enter selected giant slalom races with a tempered approach, combining conservative turns with her trademark precision. In her most recent GS outings, she has clocked top‐15 times, a marked improvement over initial starts and a promising sign of her regaining confidence . Technical analysts have highlighted her renewed focus on line control and incremental speed increases, hallmarks of a strategic return strategy .

Psychological Milestones

Perhaps most telling of her progress is Shiffrin’s own reflection that flashbacks no longer dominate her GS training runs, allowing her to concentrate on performance objectives rather than fear management . Her ability to train on GS courses without significant anxiety marks a crucial psychological milestone and bodes well for her preparedness in upcoming World Cup and championship events.

Looking Ahead

2026 Winter Olympics and Beyond

With the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina on the horizon, Shiffrin’s late‐season resurgence and record‐setting slalom victory have injected momentum into the U.S. team’s Olympic aspirations . U.S. Ski & Snowboard CEO Sophie Goldschmidt lauded Shiffrin’s leadership and depth of experience, noting that her form and mental fortitude set a high bar for the entire squad .

Long‐Term Goals

Looking beyond Lillehammer, Shiffrin has expressed a desire to continue evolving as an athlete and a mentor, embracing her role as a mental health advocate while pursuing additional records in both slalom and giant slalom disciplines . She plans to balance competition schedules with recovery periods and ongoing psychological support, aiming to prolong her career at the top level and inspire a new generation of skiers.

Conclusion

Mikaela Shiffrin’s return from a nearly “life-threatening” injury, compounded by PTSD struggles, to claim her 101st World Cup victory is a testament to her unparalleled talent, unwavering determination, and commitment to athlete mental health. Her journey—from the depths of physical pain and psychological trauma to standing atop the podium once more—underscores the resilience that has defined her career. As she sets her sights on the 2026 Winter Olympics and further milestones, Shiffrin’s story will continue to resonate, exemplifying the power of courage, support networks, and specialized care in overcoming adversity.