Mikaela Shiffrin reacts as Team USA skier Paula Moltzan ties her career-best GS result at the World Cup in Semmering, Austria

Mikaela Shiffrin reacted as fellow American skier Paula Moltzan recently tied her career-best Giant Slalom result with a fifth-place finish. Shiffrin was just a race away from reaching her 100th World Cup win but faced a harrowing injury and thus had to sit out of the races.

Shiffrin suffered a crash in a giant slalom race in Killington in the 2024/25 season, leaving the slope with a deep puncture wound that later required surgery. The most decorated alpine skier returned to her home in Colorado to rest up, missing out on back-to-back races. This echoed her experience in the 2023/24 season, when a downhill crash in Cortina derailed her campaign.

The 29-year-old didn't compete in the recently concluded giant slalom race at Semmering, Austria on December 28, 2024, but supported her fellow Americans. In her absence, Paula Moltzan led the American contingent, earning a fifth-place finish, tying her career-best giant slalom result.

Shiffrin took to her Instagram story to react to Moltzan's achievement with a couple of fire emojis.

Mikaela Shiffrin reacts to Paula Moltzan's GS achievement in Austria; Instagram - @mikaelashiffrin

Mikaela Shiffrin also shared the US Ski Team's GS start list before the race on her Instagram story, to show her support for the US team. Here's what she wrote in the caption:

"Cant wait to cheer for you ladies"

Federica Brignone claimed victory in the giant slalom, becoming the first Italian skier to win at Semmering, Austria in 22 years. Notably, Shiffrin boasts four Semmering GS victories.

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Mikaela Shiffrin updated about her progress amid the holiday season

Mikaela Shiffrin before her crash at STIFEL Killington World Cup - Women's Giant Slalom - (Source: Getty)

Shiffrin's last World Cup race in Austria earned her the 99th win, making her the winningest skier of all time. Unfortunately, she soon encountered a setback, requiring abdominal surgery. Thankfully, she's already making positive strides in her recovery.

In an Instagram post from last week, the two-time Olympic gold medalist responded to her best friend's request, sharing three positive experiences she'd enjoyed that week.

She said:

"So the three positive things that happened this week, number one I can laugh, number two I can start driving this week, and number three like too excited about this one, my abs are starting to come back. Okay it's not without so much effort. But it's very exciting."

In an interview with Olympics.com on December 18, 2024, Shiffrin discussed her uncertainty about returning to the circuit in the current season.

"I think if all things had gone perfectly and all the drainage just came out, we were pretty sure the season would be possible. It just depends on how I improve over the next weeks and months. There’s not a lot of precedent for this injury in our sport." she said.

Shiffrin celebrated Christmas with her fiance Aleksander Kilde, her mother Eileen, brother Taylor, and sister-in-law Kristiana Shiffrin in Colorado.