Camille Rast delivered a stunning performance to edge Mikaela Shiffrin by a mere 0.14 seconds and win the women’s slalom at the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup in Kranjska Gora on Sunday, ending the American’s perfect start to the season in the discipline.
The reigning slalom world champion from Switzerland clocked the fastest times in both runs for a winning total of 1:40.20, completing a rare weekend double after her maiden giant slalom victory on Saturday. Shiffrin, who had won all five slaloms this season (extending a streak from last year), finished second at +0.14, with compatriot Wendy Holdener third at +1.83.
In a heartwarming finish-area moment, Shiffrin approached Rast with a smile and admitted: “I saw you starting and thought: well okay…” – a candid nod to the Swiss skier’s flawless final run that overturned Shiffrin’s commanding position after 29 skiers.
Shiffrin had stormed into the lead on the second run, building a 1.69-second advantage over Holdener before Rast, skiing last, attacked the icy Podkoren course with precision to seal the upset.
The result denies Shiffrin her 107th career World Cup win but keeps her atop the slalom standings with a 218-point lead over the surging Rast. Post-race, Shiffrin praised her rival’s skiing as exceptional, expressing satisfaction with her own aggressive performance.
Rast’s emotional weekend – marked by black armbands in tribute to victims of a tragic New Year’s Eve fire in her hometown region – underscores her rising form ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics, where she now emerges as Shiffrin’s clearest threat in the technical events.
