As the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics unfold, alpine skiing icon Mikaela Shiffrin is confronting more than just the clock and the course—she’s pushing through lingering post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) triggered by a terrifying crash that nearly derailed her career.
The 30-year-old American, holder of over 100 World Cup wins, two Olympic gold medals, and six world championship titles, opened up about the mental scars from her November 2024 giant slalom spill in Killington, Vermont. In that incident, she struck a gate, suffered a deep abdominal puncture wound and severe oblique muscle damage, requiring surgery and months of grueling recovery.
“I have those scary PTSD flashes of crashing,” Shiffrin shared candidly. “Every time I get in the start gate, I’ll have these flashes—almost like a memory.” She described the intrusive thoughts as vivid, PTSD-driven replays that resurfaced relentlessly in the early days of her return, making high-speed runs feel like a constant battle against fear.
The psychological impact proved tougher than the physical one at times. Shiffrin detailed how her body felt disconnected, as if moving “in molasses,” and how flashbacks and anxiety plagued her, especially in giant slalom training where the terrain echoed the fatal pitch of Killington. Diagnosed with PTSD, she worked through the symptoms with professional support, gradually proving to herself that “more often than not, skiing high Gs doesn’t end in a puncture wound.”
Her resilience paid off: Just months after the crash, Shiffrin roared back to claim her historic 100th World Cup victory in slalom at Sestriere, Italy, followed by strong performances that secured her fourth Olympic berth. Flashbacks have become less frequent, and she now feels “like myself again,” embracing speed with renewed confidence while acknowledging fear as part of the journey.
Training in Avon, Colorado, Shiffrin and her team have reinvented their approach year after year, prioritizing strength, conditioning, and the mental fortitude to “dive head-first into the vortex.” With Italy’s familiar venues and logistics in her favor, she’s focusing on slalom, giant slalom, and team combined—disciplines where her dominance shines brightest.
Reflecting on her path, Shiffrin emphasized the power of self-proof and legacy: “Take a look inward and say, ‘Wow, OK, this is real. This happened. This is now part of written history.’ That’s a pretty special moment.”
As events kick off in Cortina, the skiing world watches one of its greatest athletes not just chase medals, but redefine mental toughness. Shiffrin’s story is a powerful reminder that true victory often lies in conquering the mind before the mountain.
