Mikaela Shiffrin targets imminent return to snow after puncture wound at Killington World Cup scuppered 2024/25 season
Published 02/01/2025 at 14:17 GMT
Mikaela Shiffrin has been sidelined since the end of November after suffering an unusual crash injury, which saw the experienced skier sustain a puncture wound to her abdominals that later required surgery. But the US great has given an update on her recovery progress, including when she might be able to move from the gym back to the slopes, with a competitive return this season not ruled out.
Brignone completes sublime giant slalom win in Semmering
Video credit: TNT Sports
Mikaela Shiffrin has taken to social media to provide an update on her injury recovery, after undergoing surgery late last year.
The US skier suffered a crash in the Killington World Cup giant slalom in November, which resulted in a puncture wound to her abdomen. She admitted on social media at the time that she was "incredibly thankful the crash wasn’t worse" and that "it was damn close to piercing some organs".
She has been sidelined ever since, with many wondering if she would be able to compete again this season. But the 29-year-old has now posted a video showcasing some gruelling training in the gym.
"Making progress over here… I can move and sweat and use my body, which is so exciting," she said on X.
"This next phase of recovery is all about getting my strength and conditioning back as much as possible while working within the limitations of my obliques.
"Long hours of gym/rehab time, but it’s coming along and I’m so happy with that. Hoping to work into some easy turns on snow in the next week or so."
Easy turns on the snow might not sound like much, but it is all progress in the right direction after the unusual injury, which Shiffrin herself admitted was unprecedented within the sport - and there were plenty of question marks over the speed of her recovery.
Speaking to skiracing.com earlier this year, Shiffrin touched on the force that slalom puts through the body, and what the oblique muscles have to stand up to as a result.
But she always remained hopeful that with the perfect recovery, skiing again this season would be possible.
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"There’s a little ways to go before I’m ready to truly ski with intensity - from a pain and a fitness perspective - but I am psyched with where we’re at now, kicking off 2025! And in the meantime, I’m loving watching the World Cup races."
Shiffrin was chasing a record-extending 100th World Cup win in Vermont at the time of her crash, but with races scheduled up until mid-March, it isn't beyond the realms of possibility that she could target that century before the end of the season.
Stream the 2024/25 Alpine skiing season live on Eurosport and discovery+.
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