“I’m going for a walk and that is so nice… Things are progressing,” said Mikaela Shiffrin in a video post. Two weeks after meeting a horrifying accident in Killington, this was her first appearance in front of her fans, standing on her feet. Naturally, her fans took a sigh of relief after seeing this. They ultimately felt assured knowing that the accident in the FIS Ski World Cup failed to harm Mikaela’s confidence. However, on December 1, things seemed to be concerning. On the fateful day, she was just about seven gates away from finishing her second run in the giant slalom event in Killington. She was on her way to take her 100th victory. But the snow demon hit her. 

The multiple slamming of the gates and the flipping brought an unimaginable crash to her. Shiffrin’s right side of the abdomen took the worst hit with a puncture wound. Moreover, the trauma made the former Olympic champion guess about her recovery time. But now the updates have a shimmer of hope. But folks, she isn’t the only one coming under the hammer in Killington. There have been two more US Alpine ski racers who had a similar fate. 

The ski racers face unexpected falls on the home turf 

After the Austrian chapter in Gurgl, the FIS Ski World Cup landed in Killington to continue the slalom races. The ski racing community kept eager eyes on both November 30 and December 1 to know about the rankings. However, Mikaela Shiffrin’s accident brought a massive blow to the American fans. Later, the bitter experience extended with Elizabeth Bocock and Paula Moltzan’s fall, as reported by Skimag.com. Among them, Moltzan found herself in a better condition later. How? The 30-year-old Olympian had a memorable run in the Giant Slalom, and she finished fifth. But in the slalom, she met a terrible end. 

In her second run, Moltzan slid down the slope. The sudden change of momentum didn’t bring a memorable end as the sliding dislocated her left shoulder. Fortunately, Paula Moltzan herself fixed it while battling with excruciating pain. The timely intervention nipped the need for surgery in the bud. Nonetheless, as per the update, Paula will have to take rehab for a few weeks to normalize the soaring region. Apart from her, Elizabeth Bocock was on the same list. 

Before moving to Killington, the rising star earned sweet words from the legend, Mikaela Shiffrin. She was hopeful of Bocock making it big this season. However, Shiffrin’s wish did not come in handy, as in Killington, the ski racer came into injury’s grip. In the second run, the 19-year-old hit her wrist with a gate. The pain, however, couldn’t stop her, but slamming made her lose her pole. But the desperate Elizabeth Bocock kept on skiing. She eventually ended her run in 23rd place. The hitting on the gates did not break the bones but resulted in wrists swelling. Bocock decided to give the second day a miss.

But both the US Alpine ski racers will need rehab for weeks to make everything normal. A severe blow to the US prospects to make it big in the FIS Ski World Cup 2024! But let’s not forget something huge. 

Mikaela Shiffrin’s predecessor is raring to start her World Cup journey 

In 2023, Mikaela Shiffrin went past Lindsey Vonn’s record of having the record. With her victory in the Italian giant slalom, Shiffrin claimed her 83rd victory in the FIS Ski World Cup. The achievement surely made her emotional, as in the past, she repeatedly claimed Vonn to be her perfect senior on the US team. She even claimed herself to be ineligible to fill in Vonn’s shoes. But now it seems that at 40, Lindsey may have to come down to raise the American flag high in the World Cup races. Folks, you can bet on her preparation. 

In December this year, Lindsey Vonn claimed finishes in the top 30 in two of her downhill races in Colorado. The respectable finishes earned her a ticket to the World Cup. This qualification made Vonn elated. After all, she is coming back after thwarting her long-standing injury on her right knee that once forced her to retire from the sport. But now, after her surgery in April this year, the four-time world champion is living in her dream. She felt overwhelmed while announcing, “Well… I have officially qualified for the World Cup!! The races this weekend were so much fun and a great training opportunity.” However, her return date has yet to come. But rest assured, Lindsey Vonn will return with all her might!