Sidelined by Injury, Mikaela Shiffrin Confesses Reason for Extensive Surgery: ‘We Were Trying to Avoid’

Two days ago, the Alpine skiing world got hit with some unexpected news straight from Mikaela Shiffrin herself. The reigning queen of the slopes is officially out of the 2024 FIS Ski World Cup. Yep, the US ski racing icon had to bow out after an injury during the Killington World Cup race. Now, instead of carving up the snow, she’s spending her days in Colorado, focusing on rehab. But here’s the kicker: amidst all this, Shiffrin revealed she needed surgery—cue the collective gasp from fans everywhere.

But don’t worry; Mikaela’s not wallowing. In fact, she’s staying cool and steady, even giving fans a dose of optimism. Taking to Instagram on December 12, she spilled the tea on her medical drama. Apparently, a pesky little cavity deep in her wound decided to throw a tantrum. “Turns out I had a little cavity deeper than the wound tract that was filled with old hematoma and wasn’t properly draining with wound vac or normal packing. So we went in to wash it out and close it with sutures,” she wrote. The whole ordeal sounds painful, but it was surgery or risk dragging things out even longer.

Naturally, this raises the million-dollar question: would going under the knife delay her comeback? Surgery is no walk in the park, and recovering can be just as brutal. At 29, Shiffrin’s no stranger to injuries, but this wasn’t a decision she made lightly. In an interview with Skiracing, she kept it real about why she went through with it. “We were trying to avoid surgery because it meant opening up the area more, which causes a bit more damage,” she explained. Who wants surgery, right?

Still, it was necessary. “In the end, it [the surgery] was probably the best option to clean out the wound and figure out what was going on in there,” she said. Tough call, but it sounds like the right one. So, did this whole ordeal end up helping her long-term?

Remember, Mikaela Shiffrin had more reasons for not going under the knives and needles. In her conversation with NBC on December 15, the four-time world champion said, “Just because surgery kind of is a setback and you know, it reintroduces trauma to the area and it just delays you know what I can do. So that’s maybe not ideal.” Amid a hectic World Cup season, Shiffrin had no justification for embracing the trauma and postponing her return.

At present, she is poised at her 99th triumph in the World Cup events. Securing just one more win would arguably establish her as the finest Alpine ski racer of all time. Her form also hinted at being top-notch. At such a moment, surgery could put a veil on these many things. That wouldn’t be accepted in any condition. So did her chosen option bring something useful? 

In the conversation, Mikaela Shiffrin nodded in agreement. She said, “I was able to have my oblique reattached to my iliac crest. There was a layer that was torn away.” After the last surgery, the doctors fortunately discovered those issues and took the necessary action to repair them. Currently, Shiffrin is recuperating at her residence in Colorado. In the meantime, she stays updated on the latest happenings in the FIS Ski World Cup 2024. 

Mikaela Shiffrin misses a historic event on her home turf

Mikaela Shiffrin might’ve been this close to turning Beaver Creek’s Birds of Prey into her playground, possibly snagging first place and giving fans a once-in-a-lifetime moment alongside Lindsey Vonn. Picture it: Shiffrin and Vonn, two US Alpine queens, sharing the same race, waving to an adoring crowd. But alas, Shiffrin’s injury had other plans, and that dream moment is now on ice—at least for a few more weeks.

Instead of dominating the slopes, Shiffrin had to settle for being a spectator this time around, tuning into the Birds of Prey action on an LED screen. In her chat with NBC Sports’ Cara Banks, Shiffrin didn’t shy away from sharing her thoughts. “It was so incredible watching yesterday,” she said, adding a burst of pride about her fellow skiers: “I was over-the-moon excited for Koobs, for Lauren Macuga coming down to Birds of Prey in the U.S. This is just the stuff we’ve all dreamed about for so many years.”

Noticeably absent? Any mention of Vonn, who’s making a much-anticipated appearance at this week’s World Cup races? What’s the vibe going to be like when Shiffrin’s idol steps onto the scene? Will it be bittersweet, motivational, or a spark for something even bigger when Shiffrin eventually makes her comeback? Whatever happens, one thing’s for sure—Mikaela Shiffrin isn’t one to sit out the action for long.