Mikaela Shiffrin reveals she came 'damn close' to puncturing organs in Killington crash - 'Incredibly thankful'
ByOli Gent
Published 07/12/2024 at 18:42 GMT
Mikaela Shiffrin has revealed that she came "damn close" to puncturing some organs in her crash on her second run of the giant slalom event in Killington, Vermont last week. The 29-year-old American, who was going for a record-extending 100th World Cup win, fell and crashed nastily into the safety netting, suffering a "puncture wound" to her abdomen and "severe muscle trauma".
Rast takes overall lead from Shiffrin with statement World Cup win in Killington
Video credit: TNT Sports
American skier Mikaela Shiffrin has said she is "incredibly thankful" that her crash at Killington, Vermont last week was not worse.
Shiffrin, a two-time Olympic champion, suffered a "puncture wound to the right side of her abdomen" and "severe muscle trauma" during the giant slalom event in New England, where she was looking to extend her record number of World Cup wins to 100.
She had been in a good position to do so before she fell and crashed heavily into the safety netting on her second run.
US Ski and Snowboard announced Shiffrin’s injury on Sunday, saying that her bones and organs "look OK", with the skier reassuring fans saying that there was "not really too much cause for concern" and that she was "sorry to scare everybody".
Shiffrin, 29, revealed that she would be out of action for "a few weeks minimum" in an earlier interview.
Writing on Instagram a week on, Shiffrin said she was "damn close" to "puncturing some organs" that would have "changed this situation entirely for the worse."
In a graphic and detailed update, the American revealed that she and her team believed the apparatus to blame for her puncture injury was her ski pole, and she said that she was "just glad it’s limited to muscle damage."
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"Thank you to everyone for your support!" Shiffrin’s message on Instagram read.
"The whole vibe in Killington - fans, volunteers, hill prep workers, family - it’s truly a special atmosphere. I know it wasn’t the weekend that many were expecting or hoping for…but alas.
"Reflecting back on the crash after about a week, I’m incredibly thankful the crash wasn’t worse. It was damn close to piercing some organs that would have changed this situation entirely for the worse. I’m grateful for my team, everybody at both Rutland Regional Medical Center and Vail Health who have been taking care of me, and the outpouring of love and kind words from all of you.
"My GS [giant slalom] skiing was the best it’s ever been on that track. Superstar has always been particularly challenging for me in GS, and I felt like I broke through some kind of barrier. That was the most excited I have been about my feelings in a GS race for a while. That may seem strange, given the circumstances - but, we’ve always talked about my goals revolving around skiing itself, and the feeling. And I felt good on Saturday…until I was impaled, of course. LOL
"There’s been a lot of speculation about what caused the puncture wound…and a lot of discussion around the "clean hill initiative". Some are saying the b-net pin, some are saying the base of the gate, some are speculating about the backpack next to the b-net. Of course, I am fully in support of more safety measures on the hill.
"But, I think in my case, the damage was done before I got close to the net…and in addition to my own coaches and the volunteers who helped me, I want to thank Jojo [coach for Switzerland] who was first to get to me and helped so much.
"After reviewing the video several times, we think it was the tip of my ski pole…given the size and shape of the point of entry.
"Maybe it pierced in, and then I rolled over it, which is what dug out the small cavern…hard to say, really. We’re just glad it’s limited to muscle damage.
"There’s a lot of chatter about whether or not Killington will be back next year. I sincerely hope it will…of course there’s some construction planned and that might throw things up in the air, but it’s absolutely one of my favourite World Cup venues and I just want to thank all the volunteers and the organising committee for all of the work you do and your support of our incredible sport, as always.
"Lastly, congrats to both podiums and my team-mates on their career-best results on Saturday."
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