Mikaela Shiffrin: 'A really big let down,' says US skier after she crashes out for the second time at Beijing 2022

By Matias Grez, CNN

Updated 1052 GMT (1852 HKT) February 9, 2022

Mikaela Shiffrin sits on the side of the course after skiing out in the first run of the women's slalom.

(CNN)Mikaela Shiffrin sat at the side of the slope, her arms on her knees and her head bowed.

The American, who is so accustomed to success as one of the greatest to ever put on a pair of skis, has now suffered two bitter disappointments in the space of three days in Beijing.Just two days after she crashed out of her first run in Monday's giant slalom, Shiffrin also failed to make it past five gates in Wednesday's slalom after skiing off line just seconds into her opening attempt.«It's probably a culmination of the other day and today,» she replied when asked what she thinking while sat at the side of the course. «It feels like a really big let down.»I was trying to look back and think about the last days and what I've been trying to do, what I've been doing with my skiing that would suggest that on the fifth gate I would push myself a little bit too hard to actually be able to stay in the course. Read More"[But] my skiing has been really solid. My entire career has taught me to trust in my skiing if it's good skiing, and that's all that I have to rely on on these race days.«And when the pressure is high — and of course the pressure is high, but that didn't feel like the biggest issue today — and there are some nerves and the feeling that I want to do well, I always just go back to that fundamental idea that good skiing will be there for me. »It's not the end of the world and it's so stupid to care this much, but I feel I have to question a lot now." READ: 'I won't get over this' — Defending Olympic champion Mikaela Shiffrin crashes out of giant slalom on