Mikaela Shiffrin has returned to the gym and is hopeful about getting back on the snow “in the next week or so,” reported the American ski star after experiencing a serious injury more than a month ago when she suffered a deep puncture wound near her hip area.
The injury was sustained during a crash on November 30 in Killington, Vermont, while Shiffrin was competing in the giant slalom. She was attempting to achieve her 100th World Cup victory when she lost her edge, collided with a gate, and flipped head over skis just before finishing her second run.
Shiffrin underwent surgery in mid-December to address the puncture wound in her abdomen and to facilitate healing.
In a recent Instagram update, Shiffrin expressed her optimism, saying, “Making progress over here…I can move and sweat and use my body which is so exciting! This next phase of recovery is all about getting my strength and conditioning back as much as possible while working within the limitations of my obliques. Long hours of gym/rehab time but it’s coming along and I’m so happy with that. Hoping to work into some easy turns on snow in the next week or so.”
However, she acknowledged that there is still some distance to cover before she can ski with full intensity, both from pain and fitness perspectives, but she is pleased with her current progress.
Currently, it is uncertain when the two-time Olympic champion will make her return to the World Cup circuit or if she will be fit enough to participate in the world championships scheduled for February in Saalbach, Austria.
