Shiffrin has abdomen wound, trauma from crash
Written by I Dig SportsMikaela Shiffrin suffered a puncture wound in her abdomen and severe muscle trauma after she crashed during a giant slalom race in Killington, Vermont, U.S. Ski & Snowboard said Sunday.
Shiffrin was chasing a milestone 100th win after setting the fastest time on her first run Saturday, but with the finish line in sight, she caught an edge that sent one ski flying as she tumbled and crashed into the safety netting.
The two-time Olympic gold medalist remained down for several minutes before being taken to a medical clinic.
"Following her crash in yesterday's giant slalom at the Stifel Killington Cup, Mikaela was taken down by sled and transferred by ambulance to be evaluated at Rutland Regional Medical Center," U.S. Ski & Snowboard said. "There was no ligament damage assessed. Bones and internal organs look OK. There is a puncture wound into the right side of her abdomen and severe muscle trauma."
On Saturday, Shiffrin said she "just can't move," adding that she had an abrasion and "something stabbed me."
The banged-up Shiffrin stayed down on the side of the course for quite some time. She asked for a sled to take her down, because she "was in shock, entirely unable to move and worried about internal organ trauma," Shiffrin said in a statement.
She did not receive stitches because the wound is "too deep and there is risk of infection," Shiffrin said.
U.S. Ski & Snowboard added that a return date for Shiffrin has not been determined.
Shiffrin, 29, won the slalom at Killington in six of the seven years it has been held there. Swiss skier Camille Rast earned her first career World Cup victory in Sunday's slalom race.
Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.