Shiffrin Giant Slalom: PTSD & Olympic Defense
- skiing star Mikaela Shiffrin will not defend her title in the giant slalom at the World Alpine Skiing championships.Shiffrin cited ongoing struggles with PTSD after a crash in...
- Shiffrin, who holds the American record with 99 World Cup victories, said she is still working thru mental obstacles after suffering a puncture wound and muscle trauma during...
- "I've poured all of my energy into getting my giant slalom in shape," Shiffrin wrote on Instagram, adding, "The long-story-short is…I'm not there.
Mikaela Shiffrin Skips Giant Slalom at World Championships
U.S. skiing star Mikaela Shiffrin will not defend her title in the giant slalom at the World Alpine Skiing championships.Shiffrin cited ongoing struggles with PTSD after a crash in November 2024.
Shiffrin, who holds the American record with 99 World Cup victories, said she is still working thru mental obstacles after suffering a puncture wound and muscle trauma during a race in Killington, Vt.
“I’ve poured all of my energy into getting my giant slalom in shape,” Shiffrin wrote on Instagram, adding, “The long-story-short is…I’m not there. Right now, I feel quite far away.”
“Honestly, I really didn’t anticipate experiencing so much of this kind of mental/PTSD struggle in GS from my injury in Killington,” Shiffrin said. “Coming to terms with how much fear I have doing an event that I loved so dearly only 2 months ago has been soul-crushing.”
While withdrawing from the giant slalom event,Shiffrin,29,intends to participate in the Team Combined event at the World Alpine Skiing Championships. She posted that she will team up with Breezy Johnson, a gold medalist in the women’s downhill event.
The Team Combined event is a new addition to the world championship, pairing skiers from slalom and downhill disciplines and combining their times.
shiffrin has secured two Olympic gold medals and is the most decorated skier in world championship history, with 14 medals (seven gold) in 17 individual races since 2013. Her absence in the giant slalom impacts the competition for the skiing world championships, but her participation in the team event remains a focus.
What’s next
Shiffrin’s performance in the Team Combined event will be closely watched as she navigates her return to competition after the injury. Her participation highlights the challenges athletes face in overcoming both physical and mental hurdles in high-stakes environments. The World Alpine Skiing Championships will test her resilience and skill.