Mikaela Shiffrin, skiing’s most decorated technical ace, just dropped a bombshell: she is officially skipping downhill races for the 2025-26 season, saying “No Downhill” as she refocuses on her strengths.
🏔️ From Fear to Focus
The decision comes after two punishing seasons of crashes, physical pain, and emotional battles. Following a brutal crash in Killington in late 2024 that caused a deep abdominal puncture and torn muscle trauma, Shiffrin has openly admitted to wrestling with PTSD and doubts on her return.
Rather than risk more injury or delay her comeback, she’s narrowing her focus to slalom and giant slalom — events where her legacy is strongest. She’s also leaving open the possibility of Super-G later in the season, but only if she’s fully ready.
💔 More Than Just a Goodbye to Speed
Shiffrin’s shift isn’t just tactical — it’s emotional. She says the crashes didn’t just damage her body — they fractured her spirit. During her recovery, she struggled with fear, self-doubt, and a deep sense of fragility. She’s now saying she can’t let those wounds define her career.
Her recent interviews reveal she’s distant from the wins, focusing instead on confidence beyond results: knowing that on bad days, she’s still brave enough to show up.
🔥 How She Still Won
Despite missing major parts of the season, Shiffrin ended 2025 on a high note — winning the slalom at the World Cup Finals in Sun Valley, securing her 101st World Cup victory.
That win was a statement: she’s still the dominant force in technical skiing, even after deep setbacks. She also played a role in clinching gold in the team combined event at the 2025 World Championships with Breezy Johnson.
