SOELDEN, Austria — Nina O’Brien’s ski career has been quite a journey over the past three years, featuring both triumphs, like her gold medal win at the 2023 World Championships, and significant challenges, including two severe injuries to her left leg. This weekend, the American skier embarks on yet another season aimed at reclaiming her place at the top.

“Although I feel a mix of discomfort and excitement, being back here feels familiar, like returning to my family. I’m ready both physically and mentally, and I can’t wait for the race to begin,” O’Brien expressed as she prepared for her first top-flight competition in over 19 months, scheduled for Saturday in Austria.

Hailing from San Francisco, O’Brien grew up in the skiing locales of Palisades Tahoe and Burke Mountain. She has been competing on the World Cup circuit since 2016. However, her skiing journey encountered a major setback in February 2022 during her first Olympic event, the giant slalom at the Beijing Winter Olympics. After a severe crash that resulted in a horrific compound fracture with her bone visible, O’Brien had to go through four surgical procedures to mend her leg.

Reflecting on her recovery, O’Brien remarked, “After returning from my injury in Beijing, I initially saw some positive results but then faced challenges that felt even more painful. That phase of struggle was tougher on my emotions. I now realize that the path back to peak performance isn’t always straightforward.”

Despite earlier setbacks, O’Brien demonstrated resilience, joining forces with teammates Paula Moltzan, Tommy Ford, and River Radamus to secure victory in the team event at the 2023 World Championships in France. “Even during the difficult phase of the season, I was able to emerge from it, and by the end, I skied at a level I hadn’t reached before,” she shared.

Unfortunately, O’Brien faced another hurdle during a training camp in New Zealand in the summer of 2023, where she broke her leg again. However, her recovery this time was notably swifter, enabling her to return to skiing just five months later in early 2024.

During her rehabilitation, O’Brien was supported by two of her teammates, Ava Sunshine Jemison and Katie Hensien, who were also recovering from their injuries. “It felt great to connect with friends experiencing similar challenges while also having moments to laugh and forget about competitive skiing,” she mentioned.

For the 2023-24 season, O’Brien did not aim for immediate participation in races but was able to gradually reacquaint herself with skiing thanks to her early return to the slopes. “I usually seek out numerous training runs, always pushing for improvement, but this summer, I focused more on regaining comfort on my skis rather than just speed,” she explained.

Paul Kristofic, coach of the U.S. women’s team, praised O’Brien’s recovery and her outlook. “Overcoming such a severe injury and then facing a second setback is tough, especially with the amount of racing and training she missed. However, she has prepared well and is looking forward to returning to competition,” Kristofic remarked.

Having missed an entire season, O’Brien has seen a drop in the GS rankings and will compete wearing bib No. 28 at the upcoming race. Clawing her way back up the rankings will be a tough road, but O’Brien remains confident in her ability to succeed.

An added motivation for O’Brien is the possibility of competing in the World Cup finals in Sun Valley, Idaho, at the end of the season. “I absolutely adore Sun Valley. It’s thrilling for all of us to share this with the European ski racing community. The town has a genuine western vibe and an impressive passion for skiing,” she concluded, mirroring her own enthusiasm for the sport.