Mikaela Shiffrin’s rise to become the most successful skier in World Cup history nearly came to an abrupt end—not because of injury or burnout, but because of overwhelming grief after the sudden death of her father.

In a new episode of adidas’ Illuminated docuseries released Thursday, Feb. 5, Shiffrin’s mother and longtime coach, Eileen Shiffrin, revealed just how devastating that loss was for her daughter. She admitted there was a time when she truly believed Mikaela might never return to competitive skiing.

Shiffrin’s father, Jeff, died on Feb. 2, 2020, after a fall from the roof of the family’s home. At the time, Mikaela and Eileen were traveling in Europe. They rushed back to the United States and were able to spend only a few final hours with him before he passed away. According to Eileen, those hours were heartbreaking beyond words. She recalled Mikaela lying with her head on her father’s chest for hours, unwilling to let go. When the family ultimately had to remove life support, Mikaela was there and heard his heart stop beating—an experience her mother described as deeply traumatic.

The docuseries episode, filmed mostly inside Shiffrin’s Colorado home, offers a personal look into her private world. The house is filled with photographs of Jeff Shiffrin, along with family videos showing Mikaela as a child and as a young athlete starting her career. The memories are everywhere, underscoring how central her father was to her life.

Eileen said that in the days following Jeff’s death, Mikaela could barely function. She struggled to get out of bed, lost her appetite, and became physically weak. The emotional shock was so severe that her mother feared the sport that once defined Mikaela might be gone from her life entirely. Eileen described Jeff as the family’s foundation—the person they all relied on most.

During that period, Mikaela felt disconnected and lost, unsure of what direction her life was even moving in. Her mother said they kept searching for signs that Jeff was still present in some way. Eventually, Eileen encouraged Mikaela to at least try going back to skiing—not with the pressure of competition, but simply as a way to move forward. She suggested that being on the mountain might help Mikaela feel closer to her father again.

Not long after, the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the remainder of the 2019-20 season, giving Shiffrin time away from racing. When she returned to Europe later that year to begin the next World Cup season, she suffered a back injury that delayed her comeback even further. She didn’t compete again until November 2020.

Shiffrin later described feeling torn between not wanting to exist at all and still loving the sport she had dedicated her life to. Even though she still wanted to win, she admitted she no longer had the same emotional energy that once fueled her dominance.

Slowly, however, she began to rebuild. On Dec. 14, 2020, she earned her first victory since her father’s death, winning a giant slalom in Courchevel, France. That win marked more than a return to form—it was proof that her competitive drive was still alive.

The docuseries also highlights Shiffrin’s close bond with her mother, who remains a key figure in her career. Eileen expressed pride in still being able to offer guidance and support that only she can provide, suggesting their partnership is far from over.