The 2025/26 Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup season ignites this Saturday, October 25, at 10:00 CET, with the women’s Giant Slalom (GS) on the iconic Rettenbach glacier in Sölden, Austria. As the world’s top skiers converge, the air is thick with anticipation, nerves, and the added allure of an Olympic Winter Games looming on the horizon. Leading the charge is American skiing sensation Mikaela Shiffrin, who, with a record 101 World Cup victories, is eager to reclaim her dominance in GS after a challenging season.
“We are all nervous balls of anxiety,” Shiffrin said with a laugh in a recent interview, capturing the electric atmosphere as the season kicks off.
Shiffrin, competing for Team USA and Atomic, is no stranger to the pressures of elite competition. However, last season tested her resilience. A traumatic puncture wound sustained during the women’s World Cup GS race in Killington, USA, in November 2024 sidelined her for two months, disrupting her rhythm and shaking her confidence. Her return was a journey of rediscovery, as she worked to rebuild her form in a discipline where precision and mental fortitude are paramount.
This off-season, Shiffrin doubled down on her GS preparation, prioritizing the event over her other disciplines. “I have been prioritizing GS, trying to get as much repetition in GS as possible, and I have done quite a lot more volume in GS than in past years,” she told the Associated Press. “My confidence is getting better—generally, I feel more comfortable and more able to accept the speed.”
Sölden’s Rettenbach glacier, known for its steep, icy pitch and unpredictable conditions, will be the ultimate proving ground. The course demands technical mastery and mental toughness, qualities Shiffrin and her rivals have honed through months of rigorous training, equipment testing, and gym work. Joining her on the start list are some of the world’s fiercest GS competitors, including Switzerland’s Lara Gut-Behrami, Italy’s Federica Brignone, and Sweden’s Sara Hector, each eager to seize early momentum in a season that culminates with the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan-Cortina.
For Shiffrin, Sölden represents more than just the season opener—it’s a chance to set the tone for a campaign that could further cement her legacy as one of skiing’s all-time greats. With her trademark focus and renewed confidence, she’s ready to tackle the glacier’s challenges and chase that elusive perfect run.
As the skiers take to the slopes, fans worldwide will be watching, hyped for a season of speed, skill, and drama. In Shiffrin’s words, the women of the World Cup are “fresh, excited, very hyped”—and Sölden is where it all begins.
