Tears and Joy: Shiffrin's touching return

“I'm really happy to be here. It feels good to be skiing again”: Mikaela Shiffrin was clearly relieved after her comeback, in which she finished second. The three-time overall World Cup winner only had to admit defeat on Saturday to Petra Vlhova, who was able to confirm her impressive form from last winter in the first slalom of the new season. It seemed that Shiffrin didn't give too much thought to the missed victory. She just seemed happy to have mastered this first, emotional race. Even if the wounds are still deep. >>> Here you can find the race report In February, Shiffrin's father, Jeff, died suddenly and unexpectedly in a household accident. For the 25-year-old, her world collapsed; she even thought about ending her career. Fortunately, that didn't happen, which is why the American celebrated her comeback on Saturday. How much this loss affected her was particularly evident in the TV interviews. Shiffrin, who was otherwise so happy and in a good mood, spoke with a broken voice, had moist eyes, had to take repeated breaks and fought back tears. “I actually don’t want to allow any more emotions, but that’s not possible.” Mikaela Shiffrin “It's been a big fight for me since February,” said the emotional superstar in an interview with ORF. “I didn’t know if I would even come back. It's not easy for me. My performance today didn't feel perfect, but I know: I have to deliver at this level, even if I haven't done it for a long time." Then Shiffrin also gave insights into her inner life: "It's tiring, it's emotional. I actually don't want to allow any more emotions, but that's not possible. Doing my thing here now, making it through the day, competing – that’s the most important thing I can do at the moment.” Even though Shiffrin is currently going through a difficult phase and this blow of fate will probably haunt her for some time to come - from a sporting perspective, the American shows that she is still in a class of her own. Anyone who, after 300 days without a race and during difficult times both mentally and physically (Shiffrin also suffered from back problems), promptly delivers such a strong performance and brings the power and willpower of Petra Vlhova to the brink of “defeat” is an extraordinary athlete and person. The next races will show what Shiffrin can pull off in her comeback season. In any case, the beginning has already been made. The next chance will be in the second slalom on Sunday.

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Tears and Joy: Shiffrin's touching return

Exactly 300 days after her last World Cup race, superstar Mikaela Shiffrin returned to the Slalom in Levi on Saturday. The power woman immediately showed off with second place, but it also became clear how deep the wounds in the American's soul are.

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