Early Wednesday, Mikaela Shiffrin confirmed plans to return to competition this weekend in Åre, Sweden.
Later in the day, World Cup organizers canceled that competition, spoiling her plans to race at a venue that held sentimental value for the Shiffrin family.
READ: Final World Cup races canceled
Shiffrin had not raced since Jan. 26, when she won a super-G in Bansko, Bulgaria. She also finished first and fourth in two downhill races that weekend.
She left Europe and headed home after her father, Jeff Shiffrin, died suddenly in early February. This weekend’s venue held special significance for her.
“I have some wonderful memories here with my Dad during the World Cup Finals and World Champs, so I’ve been looking forward to returning for these races,” Shiffrin said in her Twitter announcement.
Last year, Shiffrin won the slalom and super-G world championships and took third in the giant slalom in Åre. She also won the slalom in Åre at the 2018 World Cup finals, where she was officially awarded the crystal globes for her overall and slalom season titles, and she won there in 2012, 2014 and 2015.
READ: Shiffrin goes to Europe, thanks fans and ski community for support
Shiffrin had a slim chance of defending her World Cup overall title and a good chance of retaining her slalom title despite slipping into second place in both standings during her absence, but that quest seemed secondary under the circumstances.
“I still have no real goals or expectations,” Shiffrin said in a social media announcement. “I just would like to try to race again before the end of the season.”
The World Cup Finals, scheduled for next week in Italy, have been canceled due to coronavirus concerns in Italy.
Shiffrin said she would limit her interactions to give herself some privacy and be mindful of the spread of coronavirus. She would not be giving “selfies, autographs, hugs, high fives, handshakes or kiss greetings,” and she would give few or maybe even no interviews. A few hours later, organizers said the races would go on without spectators, only to change course again and cancel the races outright.
Federica Brignone of Italy will take the overall title. Slovakia’s Petra Vlhova will win the slalom title.
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