Athlete Recovery

Federica Brignone is back on snow in Cortina as the reigning overall, downhill, and giant slalom World Cup champion builds toward Milano Cortina 2026.

After a terrifying training crash, Czech World Cup skier Tereza Nová is focused on one goal: independence. Supported by family, fans, and the ski racing community, her journey is a powerful reminder that life — and purpose — continue after injury.

In ski racing and high-performance sport, female athletes often face unique challenges that standard training programs overlook. Physiotherapist Martina Plunger Beech is leading a shift toward education, awareness, and individualized care—helping athletes, coaches, and parents better understand the connection between physiology, performance, and empowerment.

Federica Brignone underwent a successful follow-up knee surgery in Milan to improve joint mobility and accelerate her recovery. According to the Italian federation (FISI), she will resume rehabilitation immediately at JMedical in Turin as she continues her push toward a return for the 2026 Olympic season.

Federica Brignone continues her recovery after a leg fracture ended her record-setting World Cup season, and while her timeline for returning to training remains uncertain, her brother and coach Davide Brignone says the 2026 Cortina Olympics are still possible.

Mikaela Shiffrin is set to return to World Cup racing next week in Courchevel after a grueling recovery from a life-threatening injury sustained in Killington. A crash left her with severe oblique trauma and a puncture wound dangerously close to her colon, requiring weeks of intense physical therapy and mental resilience. Shiffrin, supported by her Stifel U.S. Ski Team staff, is focused on progression rather than chasing records, viewing this return as a vital step in her journey back to peak form.

Just as Marco was regaining his strength, he encountered another setback. A slipped disc in his back, which had been causing discomfort, refused to respond to conservative treatments. The situation worsened, leading to the unfortunate decision: surgery.

Petra Vlhová, the remarkable Slovakian Olympic Champion, has been the only athlete to challenge the slalom dominance of the Stifel US Ski Team's superstar Mikaela Shiffrin. Vlhová’s fierce competitiveness and immense skill made her a strong contender for the 2024 season slalom title. However, her season took an unexpected turn when she suffered a devastating injury while racing giant slalom in her home World Cup race in Jasná, Slovakia.