Mikaela Shiffrin.Photo:JEFF PACHOUD/AFP via Getty

US Mikaela Shiffrin reacts after crossing the finish line at the end of her second run of the women’s Slalom of the FIS Alpine Skiing 2024/2025 World Cup event in Courchevel, French Alps, on January 30, 2025.

JEFF PACHOUD/AFP via Getty

AfterMikaela Shiffrin’scrash in November, she has decided not to compete in the women’s giant slalom (GS) in the World Alpine Skiing Championships, citing a “struggle” with PTSD.“No World Champs GS for me. 😣💆‍♀️,” the 29-year-old Olympic championannounced on Instagramon Monday, Feb. 10, ahead of Thursday’s competition in which she would have defended her title. “The long-story-short is…I’m not there. Right now, I feel quite far away."“I’m currently working through some mental obstacles in order to return to the GS start with the intensity required for racing,” continued the seven-time world champion medalist.Shiffrin still plans on competing in the Team Combined, writing that she’s set to ski with teammate Breezy Johnson.

“I figured my passion and longing to compete would outweigh the mental barriers,” Shiffrin wrote on Monday, Feb. 10 about opting out of the GS competition in Saalbach, Austria. “Maybe that will be the case over time, but I’m not there yet. Coming to terms with how much fear I have doing an event that I loved so dearly only 2 months ago has been soul-crushing.”As she made the difficult decision, Shiffrin wrote that her family and teammates have rallied around her.

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“One of my teammates — who knows this experience well — said that the only thing you can do is keep trying,” Shiffrin continued. “So that’s what I will do.”Shiffrin is thrilled to join her crew for the Team Combined event. Her teammate, Johnson, chimed in with her support.

Breezy Johnson and Mikaela Shiffrin.om Pennington/Getty

Breezy Johnson and Mikaela Shiffrin of Team United States interact during the Women’s Alpine Combined at the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships on February 06, 2023 in Meribel, France.

om Pennington/Getty

“Having been injured many times I know that I don’t know what you’re going through,” Johnsonwrote in a commenton Shiffrin’s Instagram announcement.“Every injury is unique and has its own challenges, both physical and mental. But I know that it is an honor to partner with you to do this event,” Johnson continued. “We can’t guarantee any outcome but I know we will both do our best. And that’s all we can ask of ourselves.”

The skier was injured during her crash in Killington, Vt.JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty

Mikaela Shiffrin of team USA crashes in the Giant Slalom second run during the 2024/2025 Women’s World Cup Giant Slalom in Killington, Vermont, on November 30, 2024

JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty

During a Jan. 23 appearance on theTodayshow, Shiffrin announcedshe was returning to the slopesafter a “grueling” two months in recovery.

“It’s been a little bit uncertain whether I could even return this season, but I’ve been able to get on snow, I’ve been able to train a little bit these past week or so and I’m actually going to be heading over to Europe in the next couple of days,” Shiffrin toldToday’sSavannah GuthrieandCraig Melvin. “I’m back!”

Shiffrin competing in France on Jan. 30.Paul Brechu/Agence Zoom/Getty

Mikaela Shiffrin of Team United States in action during the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Women’s Slalom on January 30, 2025 in Courchevel, France.

Paul Brechu/Agence Zoom/Getty

On Jan. 30, Shiffrin placed 10th at the FIS World Cup race in Courchevel, France. “What a night 🥹,” the starwrote on Instagram the next day. “The competition is high and it was so exciting (and nerve racking😂) to be part of that again!”

But, despite her excitement to return, Shiffrin shared that it wasn’t easy. She added, “At the same time, it’s quite daunting to think about all the work that lies ahead in returning to my top form.”

source: people.com