SAALBACH-HINTERGLEMM, Austria (AP) — Mikaela Shiffrin has revealed that she is experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder after a crash in November and will not be defending her giant slalom gold medal at the Alpine skiing world championships.

The American, who holds a record of 99 World Cup wins, suffered a significant puncture wound during a giant slalom race on Nov. 30 in Killington, Vermont, resulting in severe trauma to her oblique muscles.

“I’m facing a mental block that prevents me from reaching the next level of pace and speed, and from putting power into the turns,” Shiffrin explained in an audio message shared with The Associated Press on Monday. “This mental and psychological struggle, akin to PTSD, is more challenging than I expected.

“I thought that once we arrived in Europe and had the opportunity for consistent training, I would gradually improve and my passion for racing would surpass any fear,” she added.

The object that injured Shiffrin in her fall at Killington nearly pierced her abdominal wall and colon. Last month, she told The Associated Press that her injury was “a millimeter from being catastrophic.”

Shiffrin also experienced a high-speed crash in the downhill event at Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, last season, which sidelined her for six weeks. She has been discussing her fears with a psychologist, according to her spokeswoman, Megan Harrod.

On Instagram, Shiffrin shared: “Honestly, I didn’t anticipate facing such a significant mental/PTSD challenge in GS due to my injury.”

Shiffrin claimed gold in giant slalom at the last world championships in France two years ago

The women’s giant slalom is set for Thursday, and Shiffrin described it as “soul crushing” not to be able to defend her title.

“Two years ago, I was at my peak performance in GS. It was the most enjoyable GS skiing I’ve ever experienced,” Shiffrin recalled. “To be here now and not even be able to compete is truly heartbreaking.”

Shiffrin returned to competition last month when she finished 10th in a slalom in Courchevel, France, and she still plans to compete in the slalom — her strongest event — at the world championships on Saturday.

The speeds in slalom are lower than in giant slalom, making it less dangerous.

Shiffrin to compete in team combined event with Breezy Johnson

By opting out of the giant slalom, Shiffrin has chosen to participate in the new team combined event at the world championships on Tuesday, pairing with newly crowned downhill gold medalist Breezy Johnson.

The combined event involves one racer competing in a downhill run and another in a slalom run, with their combined times determining the final results.

“I’m not at full strength, not in giant slalom nor in slalom,” Shiffrin admitted. “But I feel confident enough in slalom.”

The other U.S. teams for the event include super-G bronze medalist Lauren Macuga and Paula Moltzan; Lindsey Vonn and AJ Hurt; and Jacqueline Wiles and Katie Hensien.

Vonn wanted to team up with Shiffrin for a skiing 'dream team'

Vonn had campaigned to team up with Shiffrin in a 'dream team' that would feature the two most successful female World Cup skiers of all time. However, the U.S. coaching staff based the pairings on “season-best results” in both events.

“Why am I not surprised?” Vonn commented on the social media platform X with a shrug emoji before deleting her post.

Later, Vonn added a new post on X stating: “I’ve always been a team player and I support my team no matter what. I’m not surprised by the decisions made, but at least now it’s clear it wasn’t my decision. I have always been supportive and respectful, and that will never change,” she concluded with a Go USA flag emoji.

Shiffrin shares a special connection with Johnson

Johnson’s downhill victory was her first win at this level — including the World Cup.

“Breezy and I have been racing together since we were 11. We competed at Whistler Cup and Topolino together,” Shiffrin said, referring to two prestigious junior events. “We’ve been roommates, competitors, and friends… It will be amazing to bring this full circle.”

Johnson recently returned from a 14-month suspension for three “whereabouts” violations in anti-doping protocol.

“She understands the mental challenges of this sport better than anyone,” Shiffrin noted. “She has fought hard to reach this point, and now she is a World Champion… her journey, grit, and determination have been incredibly inspiring to me.”

Shiffrin added that the combined event is “like a small beacon of hope that we can do this, and it can be enjoyable. It might not be so daunting.”

Shiffrin aims to return to GS later this month

Shiffrin hopes to make her return to giant slalom the weekend following the world championships on the World Cup circuit in Sestriere, Italy, where two GS races and a slalom are scheduled.

Shiffrin is one win away from reaching a record-extending 100 World Cup victories.

She stated that delaying her GS return for now “gives us a bit more time to sort things out.”