Mikaela Shiffrin continued her sensational start to the 2025-26 season on Sunday, racing to her 103rd career World Cup win with a commanding performance in the Gurgl slalom – a victory she described as “my best skiing” of the early winter.
The 30-year-old American was untouchable on the demanding Austrian slope, winning both runs to finish 1.23 seconds ahead of fast-rising 19-year-old Lara Colturi (ALB) and 1.41 seconds clear of Switzerland’s Camille Rast, who completed the podium.
Just eight days after dominating the season-opening slalom in Levi, Shiffrin repeated the feat in Gurgl, extending her all-time World Cup wins record and her slalom discipline record to 66 victories.
Despite the margin suggesting ease, Shiffrin insisted the race demanded full commitment.
“I had to push so hard,” she said in the finish area. “I was still stressed on the second run, but in the end I’m so proud to pull off my best skiing again.”
A month ago in Sölden, Shiffrin openly described her form as a “work in progress” after two injury-disrupted seasons. Since then she has silenced any remaining doubts: fourth in the giant slalom opener, victorious in Levi, and now untouchable once more in Gurgl.
The turning point came under sunshine in the second run. After building a 0.38-second lead on a tricky, overcast first run, Shiffrin attacked from the start, stretching her advantage at every split on a smoother, faster track.
“It felt totally different in the second run – finally handle-able,” she smiled. “It’s good for me to keep pushing even when it gets rough.”
Chasing her was Lara Colturi, the teenage sensation representing Albania, who secured back-to-back World Cup podiums for the first time in her young career. The daughter of 2002 Olympic super-G champion Daniela Ceccarelli admitted the icy, aggressive snow was far from her favourite, yet still produced a stunning final sector to hold second.
“I really impressed myself today,” Colturi said. “I’m realising I’m improving every run, every race, every training. I’m really excited.”
Camille Rast, the reigning world slalom champion, rounded out the podium in third – a welcome return to form after hip issues limited her early-season results and saw her finish 15th in both Sölden and Levi.
Shiffrin now heads to Killington, Vermont, next weekend holding the lead in both the slalom and overall World Cup standings. Far from feeling pressure from the next generation breathing down her neck, the American welcomes the challenge.
“I’m excited for all the amazing slalom skiing that’s happening right now and what’s possible for the future,” she said.
With 103 victories and the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics on the horizon, Mikaela Shiffrin is not just back – she is once again redefining the limits of the sport.
