USA Team’s Mikaela Shiffrin hospitalized after skiing accident in Italy

Jan. 26 (UPI) — American ski star Mikaela Shiffrin lost control and crashed into a boundary fence during the Alpine Skiing World Cup in Italy on Friday. She was taken by ambulance to the hospital where her left leg was evaluated for injuries.

The accident occurred during the women’s downhill race in Cortina d’Ampezzo. Shiffrin was able to walk away using a pole to take weight off her feet. A 28-year-old man was rescued from the Tofane mountain course using a medical helicopter.

The U.S. ski and snowboard team is Shiffrin’s ACL and PCL appeared to be intact, during initial analysis. The team also said Shiffrin remains in contact with her teammates.

Austria’s Stéphanie Benier won. Americans Jacqueline Wiles, Lauren McGuah and Isabella Wright finished 13th, 16th and 18th, respectively.

“Thank you everyone for your support,” Shiffrin wrote on Instagram with X. “But when I see our team’s results, it makes me smile!”

The three-time Olympic medalist, who won two gold medals and one silver, burst out of the starting gate, jumping and twisting his way down the sharp curves. She passed her first gate with ease, and then she completed the next jump to close in on her second. Shiffrin then lost control just before reaching the gate, falling onto her left side and sliding into an orange fence.

She remained seated in the area as fans looked on anxiously. Medical personnel then treated the skier before he was transported by helicopter.

Another women’s downhill race will be held in Cortina d’Ampezzo on Saturday. With a record 95 World Cup wins, Shiffrin remains the No. 1 ranked female alpine skier in the world.