Mikaela Shiffrin, the most decorated alpine skier in history, has withdrawn from this week’s giant slalom event at the FIS World Championships in Austria due to mental health struggles. Shiffrin, a three-time Olympic medalist and defending world champion, revealed she is experiencing “PTSD” that prompted her decision.
Shiffrin, 29, suffered a severe injury at the Stifel Killington Cup in Vermont on November 30, which left her with a puncture wound to her abdomen and muscle trauma. Despite trying to return to racing soon after, Shiffrin found herself struggling with mental obstacles, including fear and PTSD symptoms.
The US skier had hoped to overcome her mental barriers and compete at the high level she is accustomed to, but admitted that she was “not there yet.” Instead, she will participate in the women’s team combined event alongside teammate Breezy Johnson, where Shiffrin will ski the slalom half of the competition.
Shiffrin’s withdrawal from the giant slalom event allows her to focus on rebuilding her mental strength and finding a new level of intensity required for racing. She plans to continue working towards regaining her form, which earned her gold in the giant slalom at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/02/10/sport/mikaela-shiffrin-mental-obstacles-following-crash-spt/index.html