Back From the Brink: Shiffrin Storms Back to Giant Slalom Podium After 2024 Crash Mikaela Shiffrin’s long road back to the

Back From the Brink: Shiffrin Storms Back to Giant Slalom Podium After 2024 Crash
Mikaela Shiffrin’s long road back to the top of alpine skiing reached a major milestone on Saturday as the American superstar claimed a podium finish in a World Cup giant slalom event for the first time in two years. The result comes just weeks before the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, where she’ll be one of the favorites despite her recent struggles. �
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In Spindleruv Mlyn, Czech Republic, Shiffrin finished third in the final giant slalom before the Games, crossing the line behind Sweden’s Sara Hector and her own teammate Paula Moltzan. It was a hugely emotional moment for Shiffrin, who said it had been “more than one year since I believed I could be on the podium in GS.” The performance underscores her return to form after an extended absence from top-level results in the discipline. �
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Shiffrin’s podium drought in giant slalom began after a runner-up finish in Slovakia in January 2024, followed six days later by a brutal downhill crash on the very Olympic course she will race next month. She then missed significant time from GS competition and suffered a second serious fall in November 2024 at her home World Cup in Killington, Vermont, where she sustained a deep puncture wound and severe oblique muscle damage — injuries that forced her into a lengthy mental and physical recovery. �
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Beyond the physical challenge, the crash led to lingering post-traumatic stress that made returning to her best form as tough as the rehabilitation itself. At times, Shiffrin admitted she didn’t know if she would ever reach her previous competitive level again, let alone stand on a World Cup podium in giant slalom. �
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This season’s gradual progress — including several near-miss top-four finishes — culminated in Saturday’s breakthrough. With the Olympics just weeks away, the podium finish is a confidence booster for Shiffrin and a reminder of her resilience as one of the sport’s greatest athletes. �
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