In a recent update on the status of star American skier Mikaela Shiffrin, U.S. Ski Team head coach Paul Kristofic indicated that her potential return date to competition remains uncertain following an unusual injury. Shiffrin suffered a puncture wound to her side after crashing in a World Cup giant slalom race in Killington, Vermont on November 30th.
The three-time Olympic gold medalist underwent abdominal surgery a couple weeks later to address the injury. While Shiffrin has returned to regular skiing in Colorado over the past week, Kristofic noted that determining a precise timeline for her World Cup comeback is still “a moving target” that likely won’t be finalized for another 7-10 days.
Recovery Remains Top Priority
Coach Kristofic emphasized that Shiffrin’s team is focused on ensuring she is fully healed and prepared before returning to the rigors of World Cup racing. He explained the unique challenges posed by her injury:
It’s an injury I don’t think many people have ever dealt with. So it’s been complicated in a way to ensure she’s actually physically ready during the healing process and improving that way because of the nature of the injury.
– U.S. Ski Team head coach Paul Kristofic
Shiffrin’s personal head coach Karin Harjo and physical therapist Regan Dewhirst have been working with her daily in Colorado to support her recovery. Dewhirst’s expertise has been particularly crucial in guiding Shiffrin’s rehabilitation from this rare injury.
Assessing Readiness for World Cup Intensity
One key factor in determining Shiffrin’s return timeline is evaluating when she will be prepared to handle the incredible demands of World Cup competition. As Kristofic noted, this remains an open question that will become clearer in the coming days:
It’s a bit of a question mark on how quickly she can come up to World Cup level intensity. So that remains to be seen. But I can guarantee you they’ll do everything they can to get ready properly in a reasonable amount of time.
– U.S. Ski Team head coach Paul Kristofic
While the upcoming world championships in Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Austria are less than a month away, Kristofic indicated it is still too early to confirm whether Shiffrin will be ready for those races. Her team is taking her recovery day by day, with a clearer picture expected to emerge within the next week to 10 days based on her progress.
Aiming for Proper Return Without Shortcuts
Above all, Shiffrin’s support team is committed to managing her recovery responsibly and avoiding any rushed return to competition. As Kristofic summarized:
The intent is to try to get ready for racing. But being very clear and precise with the steps along the way without shortcuts. Really just do everything right and get her to a point where she’s confident enough to kick out of the start.
– U.S. Ski Team head coach Paul Kristofic
Shiffrin, her coaches, and medical team will continue to carefully assess her healing and preparedness in the coming days. While her legions of fans are undoubtedly eager to see the legendary skier back in the start gate, ensuring Shiffrin’s full recovery and confidence remains the unwavering priority.
As the ski racing world awaits further updates, the primary focus remains on supporting Mikaela Shiffrin’s return to full health. With her incredible resilience and the dedicated efforts of her team, fans can trust that the American superstar will be back chasing records and podiums as soon as she is truly ready.
