The 2025 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in Saalbach-Hinterglemm concluded on February 16,which with over 70 nations represented and approximately 250 women and 380 men competing. Among the many elite skiers participating were Camille Rast, Breezy Johnson, and renowned champion Mikaela Shiffrin.
Now that the competition has ended, several athletes have been reflecting on their experiences, including Shiffrin. The all-time leader in World Cup victories, she delivered another strong performance despite facing challenges leading up to the event. After suffering an injury during a slalom race in Killington, Vermont, in November, she had to undergo a period of recovery, leaving her return to competition uncertain. However, Shiffrin, known for her resilience, overcame these obstacles to make a remarkable comeback at the World Championships.
Competing in the Women’s Team Combined event, Shiffrin and Breezy Johnson secured the gold medal with a final time of 2:40:89. In the slalom event, she finished in fifth place an impressive achievement given her recent injury.
Reflecting on the competition, Shiffrin shared insights on social media about managing expectations. “No matter how we got here, there’s always the anticipation of victory,” she wrote. “While it’s an honor to be in that position, this time I was still in recovery while racing. My team and I approached the World Championships with a ‘step by step’ mentality instead of the usual ‘go for gold’ mindset. It was a unique experience—unlike anything before in my career. It’s exciting to still be learning new things after all these years.”
Although she admitted to feeling apprehensive about her return, Shiffrin recognized the experience as a significant opportunity for both personal and athletic growth. “The last two years have shown how much can go wrong even when you’re doing everything right,” she told Andrew Dampf of the Associated Press. “That uncertainty can be intimidating, but it’s something I’m learning to embrace.”
Having cemented her legacy in the sport, Shiffrin continues to express gratitude for her dedicated fan base as she navigates her recovery and looks ahead to the future.
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