Alpine Skiing FIS World Cup 2024/25: Mikaela Shiffrin stretchered off on a sled after crash in Killington as Sara Hector claims giant slalom victory
The double Olympic champion is 'being evaluated' after crashing halfway down the run in Killington, Vermont, on Saturday (30 November)
Alpine Skiing
What was supposed to be the crowning of Mikaela Shiffrin’s 100th World Cup victory ended in a crash on her second run in Killington, Vermont on Saturday (30 November).
Instead, it was reigning Olympic champion Sara Hector who took the top step of the podium in the women’s giant slalom following a superior winning second run and with combined winning time of 1:53.08
Croatia’s Zrinka Ljutic finished second, 0.54s adrift with Camille Rast of Switzerland taking third just over a second behind Hector.
Shiffrin was on the cusp of reaching the magical 100-title landmark courtesy of a 0.32s advantage over Hector following the first run. The 29-year-old Shiffrin has already cemented her name as the most successful alpine skier in history when she surpassed skiing legend Ingemar Stenmark’s all-time wins mark in March 2023 reaching number 87.
But her victory lap on home snow was not to be as she clipped a gate halfway down the run crashing and sliding into the netting. Shiffrin was taken off the slope by sled and was given a resounding send-off by the local fans.
"Mikaela took the sled down and is currently being evaluated. More info to come, but take solace in the fact that she asked about her splits," said U.S. Ski and Snowboard.
As ski fans are holding their breath, American skiing legend Lindsey Vonn, who has just come out of retirement, posted on social media: 'Hope @MikaelaShiffrin is OK 🙏🙏.'
Shiffrin's publicist Megan Harrod wrote on X: '.@mikaelashiffrin is alert and being evaluated. Thank you everyone for the support and love. 🙏'
The double Olympic champion is set to miss Sunday's slalom on the same course, while the FIS announced today that next week's races in Tremblant, Canada, have been cancelled due to a lack of snow.
Mikaela Shiffrin reassure fans: 'Not too much cause for concern'
Later, a sore Shiffrin shared a message on X from her hospital bed, appearing in good spirits despite a bruise on her left hip and reassuring her fans: "Not really too much cause for concern at this point," she said.
"I just can't move. I have a pretty good abrasion, and something stabs me under the fingers. That's it. So I just can't move. I am so sorry to scare everybody. And it looks like all scans so far are clear. So thank you for the support and concern," she added, before congratulating her teammates on their results in Killington, particularly Elisabeth Bocock for scoring her first World Cup points.
Killington, 2024/25 FIS Alpine Ski World Cup: Results from women's giant slalom, 30 November 2024 (top 10):
- Sara Hector (SWE) 1:53.08
- Zrinka Ljutic (CRO) +0.54
- Camille Rast (SUI) +1.05
- Thea Louise Stjernesund (NOR) +1.06
- Paula Moltzan (USA) +1.49
- Nina O’Brien (USA) +1.73
- Neja Dvornik (SLO) +1.80
- Ricarda Haaser (AUT) +2.13
- Lara Colturi (ALB) +2.54
- Valerie Grenier (CAN) +2.54