American skiing sensation Mikaela Shiffrin is gearing up for her comeback following a downhill crash. She is slated to participate in the upcoming World Cup slalom race in Are, Sweden. Although she is expected to compete on Sunday, her participation in Saturday’s giant slalom remains uncertain.
“Mikaela is making progress in slalom and is optimistic about Sunday’s race. However, her participation in the GS (giant slalom) is yet to be confirmed,” stated Shiffrin’s team this Monday. “Further updates will follow.”
The weekend kicks off with the giant slalom on Saturday, followed by the slalom on Sunday.
Since her crash at Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, in January, where she injured her left knee, Shiffrin has been in recovery. The incident led to a sprained MCL and tibiofibular ligament and came after she was already dealing with a bone bruise earlier in the season.
During her recovery period, Shiffrin has seen a slip in the overall World Cup standings, now holding third place with 1,209 points, trailing behind Lara Gut-Behrami (1,594) and Federica Brignone (1,268).
While Shiffrin has been ruled out of the running for the giant slalom small crystal globe, she remains at the forefront of the slalom standings with 630 points. Her closest competitor, Petra Vlhova (505 points), is out for the season, leaving Lena Duerr (442 points) as the only rival who could possibly unseat Shiffrin.
With only 12 points needed to secure the slalom title, Shiffrin can clinch the globe with a 19th place finish, or if Duerr does not win the race.
Following the competitions in Are, the season draws to a close with just two more racing weekends: technical races and speed events at the finals in Saalbach, Austria.
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FAQs about Mikaela Shiffrin’s Return to Racing
- What injury did Mikaela Shiffrin sustain?
Shiffrin sprained the MCL and tibiofibular ligament in her left knee during a downhill event in January. - Is Mikaela Shiffrin still leading the World Cup slalom standings?
Yes, she currently leads with 630 points. - Can anyone overtake Shiffrin in the slalom standings?
Lena Duerr is the only skier still in contention to possibly overtake Shiffrin’s lead. - How many points does Shiffrin need to win the slalom title?
She needs only 12 more points to secure the slalom globe. - What are Mikaela Shiffrin’s chances of participating in the giant slalom?
Her participation is uncertain, and an update will be provided in the coming days.
Conclusion
Mikaela Shiffrin’s anticipated return to World Cup racing is a testament to her resilience and determination. As she prepares for the slalom race in Are, Sweden, her fans and the skiing community await her performance with bated breath. Despite the setback of her knee injury, Shiffrin’s position in the standings remains strong, especially in slalom. Whether or not she will compete in the giant slalom remains uncertain, but her impressive comeback from this accident will undoubtedly add another chapter to her storied career.