In a pivot that’s sending shockwaves through the skiing world, Mikaela Shiffrin just confirmed she will completely skip Downhill in the 2025–26 season — a decision she says is rooted in survival, not surrender. The news didn’t just surprise fans — it changed the narrative of her comeback entirely.
🏔️ A Monumental Shift After Decades of Dominance
At the Atomic Media Day in Salzburg, Shiffrin made it clear: Downhill is off her menu this season. “No Downhill,” she said flatly, confirming a growing speculation in ski circles. She left the door open for Super-G — but only if she feels ready.
This marks the second consecutive season she’s excluded the speed discipline, following injuries that forced her to pull out of Downhill events previously.
💥 The Crash That Changed the Cascade
Why this bold move now? Her history with injuries speaks volumes. During the 2024–25 season, she suffered a life-threatening abdominal puncture wound in a crash at Killington, Vermont — an accident that nearly derailed her career and triggered a months-long recovery.
She has also openly battled PTSD after the crash, admitting that the mental toll of returning to speed courses was almost unbearable.
She’s allowed herself a controlled return — focusing on her core disciplines, Slalom and Giant Slalom — to rebuild confidence and momentum without fighting for survival with every high-speed run.
