American star Mikaela Shiffrin suffered a “stab wound to the right side of her abdomen” and “severe muscle trauma” after crashing out of the giant slalom in Killington, Vermont, on Saturday.
The two-time Olympic champion was seeking a record-extending 100th World Championship victory and looked well positioned to reach the milestone before falling into the safety net and crashing during her second run.
Shiffrin, 29, left the slope on a rescue sled before being examined at a medical clinic.
She led after the first run and seemed poised for victory before the accident.
“Following her crash during yesterday’s giant slalom at the Stifel Killington Cup, Mikaela was taken down by sled and taken by ambulance to Rutland Regional Medical Center,” US Ski & Snowboard said Sunday.
“No ligament damage was noted. Bones and internal organs appear good. There is a puncture wound to the right side of her abdomen and severe muscle trauma.”
Shiffrin had previously reassured fans in a social media post on Saturday evening.
“Right now there’s not really much to worry about, I just can’t move,” she said. “I have a bad abrasion and something stung me.
“I’m so sorry to scare everyone and it looks like all the scans so far are clear so thank you for the support and concern.”
She added that she would not compete in Sunday’s slalom event, which she has won six of seven times in Killington.
Sweden’s Sara Hector, the reigning Olympic champion, won the giant slalom on Saturday.
“It is of course so sad for Mikaela, such a fall after she was skiing so well. It breaks my heart,” she said.
