Shiffrin had “visions of crashing” when skiing once again

Author: Anna Thompson

Role: BBC Sport winter sports lead

Alpine World Ski Championships: Women’s Slalom.

Live coverage available on BBC Sport’s website, iPlayer, and the red button.

Mikaela Shiffrin, the world’s most successful alpine skier, has opened up about her mental health challenges while returning to competition following a horrific racing accident.

In December, the American was on track for her 100th World Cup victory in a giant slalom event in Killington. However, she crashed towards the finish of the course, somersaulting into the safety netting.

Shiffrin suffered a puncture hole and muscle damage in her stomach, which she described to BBC’s Ski Sunday as “weird, gross, and painful”.

The 29-year-old has returned to competition at the Alpine World Ski Championships in Saalbach, Austria, after missing two months due to an injury.

“From the outside you look fine, you’re back skiing again – but you’re not OK yet,” Shiffrin told me.

“I’ve been feeling that more than I could have expected, especially with gigantic slalom.

“Sometimes I get strange visions of crashes. It may not be the Killington crash; it could be the course in front of me, but I get this weird image that I’m back in the nets and something else is slicing through me.”

On Tuesday, she competed in the women’s team combined event with world downhill champion Breezy Johnson, declining an invitation from Lindsey Vonn. The couple won gold.

Shiffrin described racing alongside Johnson as a distinct, good dynamic, whereas her fellow American, 29, simply wanted to see her happy.

The medal was merely a bonus, according to Shiffrin: “As an individual athlete, you never feel like you’re doing enough.

“Be faster, fix other things; there is always something to work on.” You live in this really critical environment, and you never feel good enough.

“But I could truly rely on Breezy. I wanted to perform well for her, and she had the same feelings for me.”

Shiffrin chose not to race in the giant slalom and finished fifth in Saturday’s slalom, 1.37 seconds behind Swiss champion Camille Rast and barely five hundredths of a second off the podium.

She was in third position heading into the second run, however she lost out on a record-breaking 16th World Championship gold.

“It’s a really good step forward,” Shiffrin said after the race, as she turned her attention to the last three events of the World Cup season.

“There are some obvious challenges I face in order to continue improving and compete for podiums by the end of the season.” The procedure is step-by-step.

“I underwent surgery eight weeks ago, so it’s odd to be healing and returning to the World Championships. In the end, I am grateful to be here.”

Mikaela Shiffrin will miss the 2025 World Cup Final giant slalom race after her first-run exit

The two-time Olympic gold winner made an error early in her first run and finished the event with a DNF in Are, Sweden, on Saturday (8 March).

Mikaela Shiffrin, an Alpine skiing superstar, will not compete in the FIS World Cup Final in the giant slalom after an early exit in Are, Sweden, on Saturday (8 March).

The two-time Olympic gold winner made an error early in her first run, resulting in an unusual DNF.

It means she will no longer be able to gain enough qualification points to compete in the season finale of the giant slalom.

It is the first time she has missed the World Cup Final giant slalom event since her debut season in 2012, and it is the latest setback in a tumultuous season that included a mishap at the end of November 2024. Shiffrin was sidelined with an abdominal ailment until late January, when she returned.

On February 11, she and Breezy Johnson won the first-ever team combined world title in Saalbach, Austria.

The American great followed that with a remarkable 100th World Cup victory in the Sestriere slalom two weeks ago.

Mikaela Shiffrin Slips to Third in World Cup Slalom as Katharina Truppe Claims Victory

March 14, 2025 – Mikaela Shiffrin, the most decorated skier in Alpine World Cup history, saw her first-run lead slip away as Austria’s Katharina Truppe surged to victory in a thrilling slalom race. The competition, held in Åre, Sweden, showcased high-intensity skiing, with Truppe delivering a stunning second run to claim her first-ever World Cup win.

Shiffrin, who was in pole position after a strong opening run, struggled with her rhythm in the decisive second run. A few small mistakes cost her valuable time, ultimately pushing her down to third place. Switzerland’s Camille Rast took advantage of the opportunity, skiing a clean and aggressive second run to finish in second place, just ahead of Shiffrin.

For Truppe, this victory marked a significant milestone in her career. The Austrian skier had previously secured several podium finishes but had never stood atop the World Cup podium. Her remarkable second run, where she attacked the course with confidence and precision, helped her surpass both Shiffrin and Rast to claim the win.

Despite finishing third, Shiffrin remains a dominant force in the slalom discipline. The American star has already secured multiple victories this season and continues to lead the overall slalom standings. While this result may be a disappointment given her first-run lead, her consistency and experience will make her a strong contender in upcoming races.

The women’s slalom World Cup circuit now moves to its final events, where the battle for the discipline title will continue. With competitors like Truppe and Rast gaining momentum, Shiffrin will have to bring her best performances to maintain her place at the top.

Final Podium Standings:

1. Katharina Truppe (Austria) – 1:42.67
2. Camille Rast (Switzerland) – 1:42.89
3. Mikaela Shiffrin (USA) – 1:42.99

As the season nears its conclusion, all eyes will be on the final races to see if Shiffrin can reclaim the top spot or if new challengers like Truppe and Rast will continue to make their mark on the slalom scene.

Emotional Mikaela Shiffrin drops 3-word reaction to fiance Aleksander Kilde’s heartfelt birthday tribute

Mikaela Shiffrin, the renowned American alpine skier, recently celebrated her 29th birthday on March 13, 2024. On this special occasion, her fiancé, Norwegian alpine skier Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, shared a heartfelt message that deeply moved Shiffrin and their fans alike.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Kilde expressed his admiration and love for Shiffrin, stating:

“Happy birthday to the 🐐 of relationships and one of the best women I know…you constantly inspire me—both on the mountain, but even more so (and most importantly)—off the mountain. Thank you for your support, and for making me a better person. I love you, @MikaelaShiffrin! 😘”

Shiffrin responded to this touching message by reposting it on her X handle, accompanied by emotional emoticons, reflecting her deep appreciation and affection. She also shared the post on her Instagram account, thanking everyone for their birthday wishes.

The couple’s relationship, which became public in 2021, has been marked by mutual support and admiration. Both athletes have consistently celebrated each other’s achievements and stood by one another during challenging times, exemplifying a partnership built on respect, love, and shared passion for their sport.

This recent exchange of heartfelt messages not only highlights their deep bond but also serves as an inspiration to fans worldwide, showcasing the profound connection that can exist between two individuals who share both personal and professional lives.