In a display of vintage dominance, Mikaela Shiffrin seized control of the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup women’s slalom on Sunday morning, storming to the top of the leaderboard after a flawless first run that left her rivals scrambling in the snow-dusted gates of the Rettenbach course.
The American superstar, fresh off her record-extending 102nd career World Cup victory in Levi, Finland just eight days ago, clocked an impeccable time that put her more than a second clear of the chasing pack as the morning session wrapped under crisp Tyrolean skies. Shiffrin’s lead – a jaw-dropping margin in the precision-demanding discipline of slalom – signals her intent to defend not just her overall season title, but also her crown from last year’s Gurgl triumph, where she edged out Albania’s Lara Colturi for her then-99th win.
Live updates from the FIS app and on-site broadcasts confirmed Shiffrin’s pole position, with the 30-year-old from Eagle-Vail, Colorado, carving turns that blended raw speed with surgical accuracy. “It’s feeling good out there – the snow’s got bite, but I love that challenge,” Shiffrin said post-run, her breath visible in the sub-zero air. Teammate Paula Moltzan, riding high after a second-place giant slalom in Sölden and fourth in Levi, lurked just outside the top five, poised to capitalize if the leaders falter in the afternoon’s decisive second descent.
The Gurgl slalom marks the second technical test of the 2025/26 Olympic season, a pivotal early stop that could shape national quotas for the Milano Cortina Games next February. Shiffrin, already atop the overall standings with 150 points, enters as the overwhelming favorite against a youthful field hungry for disruption. Colturi, the 19-year-old Albanian sensation who celebrated her birthday with a Levi runner-up finish, trails in second after the opening run, her aggressive line echoing the promise that earned her the 2025 Longines Rising Star award. Germany’s Emma Aicher, fresh from her first World Cup podium in Finland, sits third, while Croatia’s Zrinka Ljutić – last season’s slalom globe winner – and Switzerland’s Camille Rast, Gurgl’s 2024 third-place finisher, round out the early podium contenders.
Italy fields a strong contingent of seven athletes, including Federica Brignone and Sofia Goggia, seeking redemption after a subdued Levi outing. France’s Lea Chevrier also eyes a breakthrough, with whispers of a top-10 finish fueling the multilingual buzz in the pits.
As the second run looms at 1:30 p.m. local time (7:30 a.m. ET), the pressure mounts on Shiffrin’s rivals. A victory here would catapult her toward the historic 103rd win, further solidifying her status as the most decorated skier in World Cup history – with 65 slalom triumphs alone. Yet, in slalom’s unforgiving format, where a single gate can shatter dreams, nothing is guaranteed. The Rettenbach’s icy patches and variable light could yet level the playing field.
Fans worldwide can track the drama via the FIS app (fis-app.com) or live streams on Peacock, NBCSN, Eurosport, and FIS TV. For Shiffrin, chasing reindeer nine through 103, Gurgl isn’t just another race – it’s a statement. Will the queen hold her throne, or will the young guns ignite an upset? The mountains are waiting.
