Mikaela Shiffrin doubted whether she would race again this season after a giant slalom crash on November 30. However, she made a remarkable comeback, securing her 100th World Cup victory last Sunday a milestone she hadn’t expected to reach so soon.
In an in-depth interview for a *Stifel Snow Show* episode that aired Saturday (available on the NBC Sports YouTube channel), Shiffrin reflected on the win. She emphasized that it meant more than just a record, calling it a surprise given the challenges of the past few months. “I honestly did not anticipate 100 was going to happen this season, so I’m thankful,” she said.
For the first 12 years of her World Cup career, Shiffrin largely avoided major injuries. But 2024 proved different, as she endured two serious crashes. In January, she sprained ligaments in her left leg during a downhill accident, causing her to miss 11 races. Then, after her November crash, she was sidelined for two months with a puncture wound that tore oblique muscles and nearly reached her internal organs.
Comparing her recovery process to the mental fog she experienced after her father’s passing in 2020, Shiffrin highlighted the importance of talking with her psychologist, teammates, and others for support. Their advice? The only way forward was to keep racing.
She now prepares for her next competitions: a World Cup giant slalom and slalom in Åre, Sweden, next weekend. She will celebrate her 30th birthday on March 13 before competing in the World Cup Finals from March 22-27 in Sun Valley, Idaho.
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