CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) 鈥� is back on snow and skiing regularly again at home in Colorado. When she鈥檒l return to racing after an unusual puncture wound to her side remains 鈥渁 moving target鈥� that probably won鈥檛 be figured out for another week to 10 days, U.S. Ski Team head coach Paul Kristofic said.
on Nov. 30 as she was chasing her record-extending 100th World Cup win in a giant slalom in Killington, Vermont, and was stabbed by something as she slid down the mountain. A couple of weeks later, she had to clean out her puncture wound.
But she indicated on social media that she about a week ago.
鈥淭hings are moving along,鈥� Kristofic told The Associated Press at the World Cup races in Cortina late Thursday. 鈥淚t鈥檚 an injury I don鈥檛 think many people have ever dealt with. So it鈥檚 been complicated in a way to ensure she鈥檚 actually physically ready during the healing process and improving that way because of the nature of the injury.鈥�
Shiffrin鈥檚 team, led by her personal head coach Karin Harjo, is in Colorado with her. Her team also includes physical therapist Regan Dewhirst, who has been essential lately.
鈥淪he鈥檚 been working with Regan every day since the injury happened,鈥� Kristofic said. 鈥淩egan鈥檚 been with her every single day.鈥�
It鈥檚 the second consecutive season that Shiffrin has had a major crash, having a year ago, spraining the MCL and tibiofibular ligaments in her left knee. She returned after 1 1/2 months out and competed at two stops at the end of last season.
So when might she return this time?
鈥淚t鈥檚 a bit of a question mark on how quickly she can come up to World Cup level intensity,鈥� Kristofic said. 鈥淪o that remains to be seen. But I can guarantee you they鈥檒l do everything they can to get ready properly in a reasonable amount of time.
There is no date set for a return to the racing scene in Europe.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a moving target,鈥� Kristofic said. 鈥淭he intent is to try to get ready for racing. But being very clear and precise with the steps along the way without shortcuts. Really just do everything right and get her to a point where she鈥檚 confident enough to kick out of the start.鈥�
The women鈥檚 giant slalom and slalom at the upcoming world championships in Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Austria, are less than a month away on Feb. 13 and 15.
Will Shiffrin make it to Saalbach?
鈥淚t鈥檚 difficult to say because we鈥檙e very early, early days back on snow,鈥� Kristofic said. 鈥淲e鈥檒l probably know more in a week to 10 days to see how things are going.鈥�
Shiffrin also likely wants to compete on home snow at the World Cup finals in Sun Valley, Idaho, at the end of March.
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AP skiing:
Andrew Dampf, The Associated Press
