Sölden, Austria – In a commanding display of precision and power, Austrian alpine skier Julia Scheib seized the lead after the first run of the women’s World Cup giant slalom on Saturday, setting the tone for the 2025-26 season on the challenging Rettenbach Glacier course. The 27-year-old from Styria clocked an impressive time of 1:07.80, outpacing her closest competitor by a commanding 1.28 seconds and signaling her intent to challenge the sport’s elite as the Olympic campaign kicks off.
Scheib’s flawless descent—marked by aggressive line choices on the steep upper sections and seamless speed maintenance on the flatter terrain—left the home crowd roaring in approval. The course, set by Swedish coach Walter Girardi, tested racers with its demanding rhythm and variable wind conditions, but Scheib navigated it with the poise of a veteran. “I felt connected to the skis from the start,” Scheib said post-run, her voice steady amid the excitement. “This is my home mountain, and I wanted to attack every gate. Now, the second run is about staying focused.”
American Paula Moltzan sits second after a clean and aggressive effort, her time reflecting a strong continuation of last season’s momentum. Croatia’s Zrinka Ljutić holds third at +1.32, her powerful style underscoring her status as one of the circuit’s rising technical stars. The U.S. contingent impressed overall, with Mikaela Shiffrin—returning from a season-shortening injury—slotting into sixth at +1.69 in her first healthy giant slalom since last November. Shiffrin’s smooth recovery run hinted at a potential resurgence, as she noted, “It’s great to be back feeling strong. Julia set a high bar today.”
Canada’s Valérie Grenier, a two-time giant slalom winner, rounded out the top 10 at +2.13, while Germany’s Lena Dürr delivered a solid 11th-place effort, +2.25, providing a steady start for the defending overall champion. The early leaderboard underscores the depth in women’s giant slalom, with five nations represented in the top 10 after the first 30 starters.
For Scheib, this blistering opener builds on a breakthrough 2024-25 campaign. Last October, she ended Austria’s five-year podium drought in the discipline with third place here in Sölden, a result that propelled her into the spotlight. A giant slalom specialist since her youth days on the modest slopes of Kluglifte Hebalm, Scheib has notched seven top-10 World Cup finishes in her career, blending fierce determination with a balanced, rhythmic technique. Her journey—from pink-overalled toddler to World Cup contender—has inspired young skiers in Austria’s flatter regions, proving that big dreams don’t require towering peaks.
The second run, scheduled for later today under potentially improving weather, promises high drama. Scheib enters with the bib advantage, but challengers like Shiffrin and Ljutić could close the gap on the reverse course. A victory would mark Scheib’s first World Cup win and cement her as a medal threat heading into the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics.
As the glacier’s chill lingers in the alpine air, all eyes turn to whether Scheib can hold her nerve and convert this first-run masterclass into season-defining glory. For now, the Austrian flag flies highest over Sölden.
