Fourteen months after a terrifying crash at the Killington World Cup in Vermont derailed her pursuit of a historic 100th victory, Mikaela Shiffrin has reclaimed her place at the pinnacle of alpine skiing. The Burke Mountain Academy graduate and two-time Olympic gold medalist is once again dominating the slopes, entering the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics as one of the sport’s most formidable competitors.
The dramatic turning point came on November 30, 2024, during the giant slalom at Killington. Leading after the first run and charging toward what could have been her landmark 100th World Cup win, Shiffrin slipped on icy conditions, struck gates, lost a ski, and slammed into protective fencing. The violent tumble left her with a deep abdominal puncture wound—missing her colon by mere millimeters—and severe muscle trauma.
Here are some powerful images capturing the intensity of that moment and Shiffrin’s triumphant celebrations:
The 30-year-old American was stretchered off the hill amid stunned silence from 20,000 spectators. Hospitalized in Rutland, she later shared a candid video revealing the wound, joking “ay, ay, ay” while expressing gratitude for avoiding worse injury. Complications followed, including fluid buildup, fever, and infection, requiring surgery two weeks later.
Recovery was grueling. Shiffrin focused on basic mobility—standing, walking, then gentle exercises—before stepping back into ski boots after about four weeks. She returned to competition on January 30, 2025, finishing 10th in slalom at Courchevel, France. Mental challenges emerged, including flashbacks resembling post-traumatic stress, which she addressed through therapy and her self-produced YouTube series “Moving Right Along.” Drawing inspiration from Mister Rogers—”What’s mentionable is manageable”—she rebuilt trust in her body and mind.
By February 2025, Shiffrin achieved her milestone 100th World Cup win in Sestriere, Italy, followed by another at the season finals. Now, in the 2025-26 season, she opened with an extraordinary streak: five consecutive slalom victories (Levi, Gurgl, Copper Mountain, Courchevel, and Semmering), pushing her career total to 106 World Cup wins—the all-time record.
Shiffrin has led the overall and slalom standings, though her unbeaten run ended with a strong second-place finish to Switzerland’s Camille Rast in Kranjska Gora on January 4, 2026.
Witness the joy of her victories in these celebration shots:
Willy Booker, head of Burke Mountain Academy—Shiffrin’s alma mater—praised her resilience: “She’s been the best in the world for a long time, but given everything that has happened, to stay there is one of her most impressive accomplishments.”
With the Olympics just weeks away (February 6-22, 2026), Shiffrin continues to evolve. She reflects on still learning new things and embracing exciting adventures ahead. Vermont’s pride runs deep—students and staff at her former school eagerly watch as the greatest alpine skier of all time aims to add more Olympic hardware to her legacy of excellence, perseverance, and unbreakable spirit.
