In shocker, star American skier Shiffrin splits with longtime coach at world championships

Meribel, France — American skiing standout Mikaeala Shiffrin had an unexpected parting with her longtime coach, Mike Day, in the middle of the world championships after informing him that she planned to take a new direction with her staff at the end of the season.

"Mikaela wants to do something different going forward. She wants a new challenge. And she informed Mike and Mike decided to go home," U.S. Alpine director Patrick Riml told The Associated Press on Wednesday. "It's a shock for me that he took off."

Day was with Shiffrin when she won the silver medal in super-G last week and then accompanied the skier for a few days of off-site training in Orcieres before returning to Meribel with her this week.