Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy – Mikaela Shiffrin is recovering from a downhill race crash but is grateful that her injuries aren’t worse. Initial evaluations indicate that Shiffrin’s left knee does not have any ACL or PCL damage, reassuring news after her collision and subsequent slide into a safety net during a World Cup event. The Olympic gold medalist took to social media about 10 hours later to update her followers, stating that while she’s thankful it’s not a more serious injury, she is currently experiencing significant soreness.
As a result of the crash, Shiffrin will be forced to sit out three upcoming World Cup races – a downhill on Saturday, a super-G on Sunday, and a giant slalom on Tuesday. She acknowledges the uncertainty surrounding her future participation, mentioning the need to consult with her team and assess her condition in the coming days.
During the fateful run, Shiffrin encountered trouble just 17 seconds in when she attempted to maneuver around a gate and ended up falling and sliding into a safety net at high speed. She managed to get back on her feet five minutes later with the support of several individuals, moving cautiously and relying on her ski poles as makeshift crutches. Notably, she did not place any weight on her left leg for a few strides. Throughout her ordeal, Shiffrin kept in touch with her teammates via WhatsApp, providing words of encouragement as they prepared for their own runs.
Shiffrin’s dominance in Alpine skiing is evident with an impressive record of 95 World Cup victories, including seven wins this season. However, her accident served as a stark reminder of the risks involved in the sport. Just three racers after Shiffrin, Corinne Suter, the Olympic downhill gold medalist from Switzerland, suffered a similarly concerning crash on the problematic jump. The Swiss federation later confirmed that Suter’s left knee sustained an ACL tear and meniscus damage, prematurely ending her season.
Shiffrin’s fans will be anxiously waiting for updates on her recovery progress and potential return to the slopes. With her impressive track record, the skiing world will surely feel her absence in the upcoming races.