Shiffrin recovering after abdominal surgery to clean out deep puncture wound suffered in race crash
Mikaela Shiffrin is currently in recovery mode after undergoing abdominal surgery to clean out a puncture wound she sustained in a giant slalom crash two weeks ago. The surgery was unexpected and came after Shiffrin started feeling unwell. She took to Instagram to update her fans on her condition, expressing her disappointment at not being able to be present at the Birds of Prey course to watch her teammates race in person.
The 29-year-old skiing sensation suffered bruises and a deep puncture to her hip area during the crash in Killington, Vermont on November 30. Despite not sustaining any ligament or bone damage, Shiffrin’s road to recovery is still uncertain. She was leading the giant slalom race after the first run, aiming for her 100th World Cup win when the accident occurred.
During her second run, Shiffrin lost control and slid into a gate, flipping head over skis before colliding with another gate and coming to a stop in the protective fencing. She was subsequently taken down on a sled and has been recuperating at her home in Edwards, Colorado.
Shiffrin’s surgery was necessary to address a cavity filled with old hematoma that was not draining properly with the wound vac or normal packing. The procedure involved washing out the cavity and closing it with sutures. Despite the setback, Shiffrin remains positive and determined to make a full recovery.
With an impressive track record that includes five overall World Cup titles, two Olympic gold medals, and seven world championships, Shiffrin is widely regarded as one of the greatest Alpine ski racers of all time. She surpassed Lindsey Vonn’s women’s record of 82 World Cup victories in 2023 and went on to break Ingemar Stenmark’s overall record for most World Cup wins with her 87th career victory.
As Shiffrin focuses on her recovery, her fans eagerly await her return to the slopes. Her resilience and determination have been evident throughout her career, and there is no doubt that she will come back stronger than ever.
