Olympian Mikaela Shiffrin's skiing career took an unexpected turn when she suffered multiple injuries during the Alpine Ski World Cup competition. On Saturday, Nov. 30, while competing in the second run of the World Cup giant slalom race, the 29-year-old sustained a deep puncture wound on the right side of her abdomen and severe muscle trauma. There was no serious bone, ligament, or organ damage, as reported by the Associated Press.

Post-Injury Update and Spirit

Shortly after the accident, Shiffrin posted a video update on X, updating fans on her condition. She appeared to be in good spirits despite her injuries, saying, "Not really too much cause for concern at this point. I just can't move. I have a pretty good abrasion and something stabbed me. … I'm so sorry to scare everybody. It looks like all scans so far are clear." She also thanked her fans and cheered on her teammates in the caption, writing "Quick update. Thank you for your cheers and support. Wishing the best of luck to my teammates tomorrow!! I'll be cheering from the sidelines on this one."

First GS Run and Near-Win

Leading the race after her first GS run, Shiffrin was on track to notch her 100th World Cup win. However, she then lost her footing during competition and slid into a gate, flipping over her skis. According to the AP, she slammed into a second gate just before stopping in the protective fencing ski course. This unexpected turn of events left fans and the skiing community in shock.

Previous Injury Incident in Italy

Back in January, Shiffrin suffered a leg injury during a skiing event in Italy. The crash occurred midway through her run on the slope when the two-time gold medalist lost control and crashed into surrounding nets. At the time, she was seen limping and relying on her skis to support her weight as medical officials attended to her. This incident added to the challenges she was facing in her recovery.

Record-Breaking Achievements and Reflection

Shiffrin has been at the top of the ski world for the last few years, breaking nearly every record possible. In March 2023, she clinched her 87th victory in ski slalom, officially breaking Ingemar Stenmark's record of 86 total wins that he secured in 1989. Soon after, she told PEOPLE that the accomplishment hadn't yet sunk in. She said, "I don't know how people process things that are so big. I know everything that I've experienced in life and since I started racing World Cup, I know the whole process and everything that's gone into it, and that really can't be summed up with a number." She added, "I didn't believe it was possible. I still believe it shouldn't have happened, and I don't understand why it did, besides the fact that I've skied well enough for 87 races to win it. But why me, why now, why period, I don't really have an answer for any of those things."Currently, there is no timetable for Shiffrin's return to competition. Her next competition is scheduled in two weeks at Beaver Creek, Colo., though it is unclear at this time if she will be able to compete. Camille Rast of Sweden was eventually named the winner of the World Cup. Despite the setbacks, Shiffrin's determination and spirit continue to inspire both fans and fellow athletes in the skiing world.