Mikaela Shiffrin finishes 10th in World Cup slalom return

American skiing star competes after two-month injury absenc.

Mikaela Shiffrin of Team United States competes in the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup women's slalom on January 30, 2025, in Courchevel, France. Photo by Millo Moravski/Getty Images

By Yuni Utomo and Randy Ahmad

Mikaela Shiffrin made her long-awaited return to World Cup skiing on Thursday, finishing 10th in a slalom race in Courchevel, France. It was her first competition in two months following an injury that sidelined her in November. The American skier, a three-time Olympic medalist and the all-time leader in World Cup wins, had been aiming for her 100th career victory but showed signs of rust after her time away from the circuit.

Shiffrin started strong, finishing fifth in the first of two runs, just 0.87 seconds behind the leader. However, she struggled in her second run, placing 22nd and slipping to 10th overall. Croatia’s Zrinka Ljutic dominated both runs to win her third World Cup slalom event of the season, clocking a total time of 1:45.06. Sweden’s Sara Hector finished second, 1.26 seconds behind, while Germany’s Lena Duerr secured third, just 0.02 seconds behind Hector.

The 28-year-old Shiffrin ultimately finished 2.04 seconds behind Ljutic. Meanwhile, fellow American Paula Moltzan, a top contender in the U.S. squad, was unable to complete her first run after a fall.

Shiffrin eases back into competition ahead of world championships

Despite missing the podium, Shiffrin’s return to competition was a crucial step in her preparation for the upcoming world championships in Saalbach, Austria. The women’s giant slalom is scheduled for February 13, followed by the slalom on February 15.

“It’s just nice to be racing,” Shiffrin said before the event, reflecting on her return to the circuit.

Shiffrin’s absence from competition stemmed from a crash during a giant slalom race in Killington, Vermont, in November. The fall left her with a puncture wound in her abdomen, forcing her to miss several races. At the time of her injury, she had 97 career World Cup wins and was targeting her 100th victory at Killington, a venue close to her roots at Burke Mountain Academy.

Her recovery process kept her out of three slalom and three giant slalom events—disciplines where she has historically been dominant. As she prepared for her return in Courchevel, Shiffrin acknowledged the challenge of competing against rivals who had remained in peak form.

“The recovery is not really over,” she told Today last week. “But I’m strong enough to get back in the start gate.”

Shiffrin still on track for historic 100th World Cup win

Shiffrin, already the most successful skier in World Cup history, will have multiple opportunities to reach the 100-win milestone before the season ends. Once the World Cup circuit resumes after the world championships, she is scheduled to compete in seven more races in her strongest disciplines. Her next chance will come in Sestriere, Italy, where two giant slalom races and a slalom are scheduled between February 21-23.

A three-time Olympian, Shiffrin has long been one of alpine skiing’s most dominant figures. She won her first Olympic gold in slalom at the 2014 Sochi Games before adding gold in giant slalom and silver in the combined event at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics. However, her 2022 Beijing campaign ended in disappointment as she failed to medal, skiing out in both of her signature events.

As she works her way back to full strength, Shiffrin remains a favorite in upcoming races. With the world championships approaching and her milestone victory within reach, the ski world will be watching closely to see if she can reclaim her top form in the weeks ahead.