The U.S. Ski Team launched the 2025-26 Alpine Skiing World Cup season with a stellar performance at the women’s giant slalom in Sölden, Austria, on Saturday, highlighted by Mikaela Shiffrin’s fourth-place finish and Paula Moltzan’s impressive second-place podium. The strong showing on the Rettenbach glacier underscored the team’s preparation and promise for the Olympic year.
Mikaela Shiffrin, 30, demonstrated her off-season focus on giant slalom with two controlled runs from bib 20, finishing just shy of the podium in the season opener. The result marks a solid start for the American superstar, who has prioritized the discipline in her training as she eyes the 2026 Winter Olympics. Teammate Paula Moltzan delivered a career-defining performance, charging to second place with a pair of dynamic runs, securing her spot as a rising force in the World Cup circuit.
The race was won by Austria’s Julia Scheib, who stunned the home crowd with her first-career World Cup victory. Scheib’s blistering first run of 1:07.8 set the tone, and she held off Moltzan’s challenge in the second run to claim the win. Switzerland’s Lara Gut-Behrami rounded out the podium, finishing 1.11 seconds behind Scheib.
“I didn’t expect this at all,” Scheib told FIS media, reflecting on her breakthrough win. “I wasn’t feeling my best, but maybe that’s a good sign for the season.” The 27-year-old’s victory was the first for an Austrian woman in a World Cup giant slalom since Eva-Maria Brem in 2016, and the first Austrian podium in Sölden since Nicole Hosp tied Shiffrin for the win in 2014. “Seeing the green light at the finish was such a relief,” Scheib added. “Winning in front of my home crowd is unbelievable.”
For the U.S. team, the day was a resounding success. Shiffrin’s fourth-place finish reinforces her status as a consistent contender across disciplines, while Moltzan’s podium signals her growing prowess in giant slalom. The performances set an optimistic tone for the U.S. Ski Team as they build momentum toward the Olympic season.
As the World Cup circuit moves forward, Shiffrin and Moltzan’s results in Sölden highlight the depth and talent within the U.S. squad. With the home crowd still buzzing from Scheib’s historic win, the stage is set for a thrilling season of competition.
