Mikaela Shiffrin has made a surprising change to her plans for the 2025 Ski World Championships in Saalbach-Hinterglemm. The American ski star has pulled out of the giant slalom and will instead compete in the team event with downhill world champion Breezy Johnson. Lindsey Vonn, who recently returned to competition, will not be part of the lineup.
Shiffrin Cites Mental Health Struggles for Withdrawal
Shiffrin announced her decision on Instagram, revealing that she had worked hard to prepare for the giant slalom. However, the psychological impact of a severe crash in Killington, which led to surgery, has taken a toll.
“It was heartbreaking to realize the fear I now feel for this discipline, which I loved just two months ago,” she admitted. Shiffrin continues to battle post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health challenges. Instead of competing in the giant slalom, she will focus her energy on the team event.
Shiffrin and Johnson Team Up for Gold
On Tuesday, starting at 10:00 a.m., Shiffrin will make her debut at the championships. Rather than racing with Lindsey Vonn, she will team up with Breezy Johnson, who recently won the downhill world title.
“We have a long history together,” Shiffrin said, expressing excitement about the partnership. However, Johnson remains a controversial figure due to a 14-month doping suspension. The ban, retroactively applied from October 2023, allowed her to compete in Saalbach.
Vonn’s Disappointment and German Team Struggles
Lindsey Vonn had hoped to partner with Shiffrin but was left disappointed by the lineup change. Initially, Shiffrin had declined to compete in the team event before reversing her decision.
Meanwhile, the German speed team, led by Romed Baumann, faced criticism after a series of poor performances. Their head coach did not hold back, calling the results “really poor.”
