Alpine skiing legend Mikaela Shiffrin, the most decorated World Cup skier in history, has opened up in a powerful and deeply personal letter about the emotional and psychological struggles she faced following a frightening crash during the 2024 season. In an essay published by The Players’ Tribune, Shiffrin revealed the toll her injury took—not just on her body, but on her mental health.
The crash occurred in November 2024 during a World Cup Giant Slalom race in Killington, Vermont. Shiffrin, known for her precision and dominance across all alpine disciplines, took a hard fall at high speed that resulted in a puncture wound to her abdomen. The injury came dangerously close to perforating her colon, a serious and painful setback that forced her to withdraw from competition for several weeks. But as Shiffrin explained in her article, the physical wounds were only the beginning of her battle.
“When I got back out on the snow,” Shiffrin wrote, “something weird happened.” She described a surreal, dreamlike state in which skiing felt unfamiliar and slow—like she was moving through molasses. The sensation wasn’t just about regaining strength; it was a vivid example of the lingering psychological trauma she faced, a form of post-traumatic stress that clouded her confidence and connection to the sport she’s dominated for years.
The letter offers a rare glimpse into the mind of an elite athlete grappling with fear, anxiety, and uncertainty. Shiffrin detailed how the mental scars left by the crash were far harder to manage than the physical ones. Returning to the slopes—particularly the giant slalom, the event in which she crashed—triggered overwhelming emotions and self-doubt.
Yet, through it all, Shiffrin persisted. With time, therapy, support from her team and loved ones, and a determination rooted in her champion mindset, she has begun to feel like herself again. “I feel like myself again,” she wrote—simple words that carry profound meaning for anyone who has faced trauma and fought their way back.
Mikaela Shiffrin’s story is not just about a return to sport. It’s about resilience, honesty, and the courage it takes to confront mental health struggles head-on—even when you’re the best in the world.