Mikaela Shiffrin failed to qualify for a second run in a giant slalom event for the first time since 2012, finishing outside the top 30 at a World Cup race in Sestriere, Italy, on Saturday. The alpine skiing star, long accustomed to dominating the sport, was competing in only her second giant slalom race since sustaining a puncture wound and severe muscle trauma in a November crash.
That accident left Shiffrin dealing with PTSD, leading her to withdraw from a previous giant slalom event. On Saturday, she completed her run in 1:05.73 two and a half seconds slower than early leader Alice Robinson placing 33rd and missing the cut for a second run. The day before, she had finished 25th after placing 18th in the first run.
Reflecting on her recent performances, Shiffrin admitted feeling out of sync. “It’s been a bit confusing these last few weeks, feeling disconnected from how I want to ski versus how it actually feels,” she told Eurosport. “But having this race is a positive step in training.”
Before Saturday, the last time Shiffrin failed to qualify for a second giant slalom run was in October 2012, when she was just 17. Despite her current struggles, she remains determined to compete for the rest of the season. “My goal now is to fight for points and stay in the top 30 in giant slalom. It’s a very different position from past years when I was aiming for podiums but that’s where I am right now, and that’s okay,” she said.
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