American alpine skiing superstar Mikaela Shiffrin has touched down in the Austrian Alps ahead of tomorrow’s highly anticipated women’s slalom at the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup in Gurgl, declaring the stage set for an explosive race.
The 30-year-old, fresh off a commanding victory at the season-opening slalom in Levi, Finland – her 102nd career World Cup win – shared her enthusiasm upon arrival with a social media post: “What a welcome, Gurgl! Tomorrow is going to be amazing! ❄️🔥.”
Shiffrin, who also serves as the defending champion in Gurgl after triumphing here last season, appears in peak form and spirits as she chases back-to-back slalom victories early in this Olympic season.
The Gurgl weekend features parallel slalom events, with the men’s race taking place today (22 November) and the women’s competition scheduled for Sunday, 23 November. First run is set for 10:30 CET, followed by the decisive second run at 13:30 CET.
Shiffrin will face stiff competition on the steep, demanding Kirchenkar course, known for its reliable early-season snow and technical challenges. Key rivals include:
Rising Albanian teenager Lara Colturi, who finished runner-up to Shiffrin in Levi and earned her first World Cup podiums last season.
Croatia’s Zrinka Ljutić, the reigning slalom crystal globe holder looking to defend her title.
Swiss standout Camille Rast and Germany’s Emma Aicher, both coming off strong performances.
American teammate Paula Moltzan, currently second in the early overall standings behind Shiffrin, adds further U.S. depth and firepower.
With the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics just over two months away, every result carries extra weight for World Cup points and national quota allocations. Shiffrin’s dominant Levi performance – winning by a massive 1.66 seconds – has already positioned her as the clear favorite in the discipline she has dominated with eight small crystal globes.
As the most successful alpine skier in history, Shiffrin continues to blend experience with unrelenting drive. Her arrival message underscores the excitement building in Gurgl, where fans and organizers have rolled out the red carpet for the return of World Cup racing.
Tomorrow’s race promises high drama on one of the tour’s most picturesque and unforgiving slalom hills. If Shiffrin’s form and energy are any indication, the fireworks she hinted at are all but guaranteed.
