In the exciting world of ski racing, Mikaela Shiffrin stands as a beacon of determination and resilience. Although her pursuit of World Cup win number 100 is a significant milestone, Shiffrin has shifted her priorities as she prepares to re-enter the racing arena after a serious crash that reshaped her 2023 season.
Shiffrin, a two-time Olympic champion, is gearing up to compete in the slalom event in Courchevel, France. But for her, this competition is less about securing another win and more about reaching full recovery following an injurious crash. On November 30th, during a giant slalom race in Killington, Vermont, Shiffrin's body suffered severe trauma due to a puncture wound that impacted her oblique muscles.
The road to recovery has been anything but straightforward. Initially uncertain if she could make a comeback this season, Shiffrin expressed in a pre-race video, To be here at this point is just so incredible. It’s just really hard to zoom out and look at that whole big picture and all the hype around chasing my 100th win that has been talked about since the start of the season. For Shiffrin, this race is more than just a step toward achieving a milestone; it's a profound moment of personal victory.
Courchevel holds a special place in Shiffrin's heart. It's where she's achieved seven World Cup triumphs across four distinct disciplines and won three world championship medals. More importantly, it's where she got back on the winning track after the tragic loss of her father, Jeff Shiffrin, in February 2020.
Reflecting on that time, Shiffrin shared, It was very much the first race that helped me believe on any level that I might be able to return to the form that I had before my dad’s accident. It helped me realize that even though my life might never be the same, that doesn’t mean it’s not worth it. There is a lot of meaning built into this race for me.
Since her ski crash, the journey back to competitive racing involved overcoming numerous challenges. She initially struggled with limited core strength and needed a surgical procedure to prevent infection from her wound, which narrowly missed vital organs like her colon. Fortunately, with guidance and support from her physical therapist, Regan Dewhirst, she gradually regained her strength.
Beginning her recovery on January 1 by returning to the slopes, Shiffrin proceeded to perfect easy turns through slalom gates two weeks later. Now, the Courchevel competition represents an essential step in her recovery journey. We kind of hit the ground running once I was able to sit up out of bed, Shiffrin explained. Then it was like, ‘How can we progress every single day?’ It’s felt like an all-out sprint.
Reaching the start gate in Courchevel is already a huge, huge victory for the 29-year-old. A part of what I hope to show the world is that I want to be here,” she stated. Despite the uncertainties and self-doubt, Shiffrin has chosen to embrace the challenge both physically and mentally.
Throughout this daunting process, the support from teammates and fellow competitors has been an invaluable source of encouragement. That literally made my day. Every time, Shiffrin remarked. I want to be here despite the uncertainties and the doubts. That’s the mentality I want to take into the start gate and in life. It’s more of a legacy thing. It’s like, ‘I want to be here and I want to be doing this the best that I can.’ That’s the mentality I’ve taken so far, and that’s what I hope to continue for the rest of the season.
