Professional skier Mikaela Shiffrin faced a harrowing incident during a skiing event in Vermont. On Saturday, Nov. 30, while on her second run of a World Cup giant slalom race in Killington, she crashed into a fence. According to CNN, she was close to the finish line when she hit a gate and performed a somersault before sliding into another gate. This accident led to significant consequences for the two-time Olympic gold medalist.

Health Update and Initial Assessments

Shiffrin was quickly taken down the slope via sled and transported to a medical center via ambulance. A U.S. Ski & Snowboard statement shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Dec. 1 provided details. It was stated that there was no ligament damage assessed and that bones and internal organs looked okay. However, there was a puncture wound into the right side of her abdomen along with severe muscle trauma.In an Instagram video on Nov. 30, Shiffrin gave a health update. She started by saying, "Hi, guys, not really too much cause for concern at this point." She continued, "I just can't move. I have a pretty good abrasion and something stabbed me... And so I just can't move. I am so sorry to scare everybody and it looks like all scans so far are clear, so thank you for the support and concern and congratulations to the winners and to my teammates for incredible performances." She added, "I'm very happy for you guys."

Pre-Crash Highlights and Expectations

Before the crash, Shiffrin had reportedly taken the lead in the event, which would have marked her 100th World Cup win. The athlete, who went to ski school in Vermont, previously spoke to Reuters about returning to the state for the competition. She said, "I guess there’s a bit of pressure around it, but I’ll try to ignore that. If it happens, it’s wonderful; if it doesn’t happen, nothing to cry about in the grand scheme. But I hope to have a really good performance in front of the home crowd."

Previous Injury and Recovery

Shiffrin previously suffered an injury in January after a high-speed crash in Italy. This incident left her with sprained knee ligaments. Although it forced her to take six weeks away from competition, she ultimately expressed gratitude, noting to CNN that it could have been much worse.

Next Competition and Uncertainty

Her next competition is scheduled in two weeks at Beaver Creek, Colo. However, it is unclear at this time if Shiffrin will be able to compete. The skiing community and fans are eagerly awaiting updates on her recovery and hoping for her return to the slopes soon.