It’s race day in the snow-covered heart of Austria, where the iconic floodlit slopes of Flachau come alive for one of the most electric events on the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup calendar: the women’s night slalom.
Under the lights of the legendary Hermann Maier course, the world’s top female slalom specialists are set to battle for supremacy on January 13, 2026. The first run kicks off at 17:45 CET (local time), with the decisive second run following at 20:45 CET, promising high-stakes drama, roaring crowds, and plenty of fireworks—both literal and figurative.
Mikaela Shiffrin, the undisputed queen of slalom and the most decorated alpine skier in history, headlines the field as the overwhelming favorite. The American superstar, chasing her sixth slalom victory of the 2025-26 season, arrives in Flachau after a strong but heartbreaking second-place finish in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, where Swiss rival Camille Rast snapped her impressive winning streak.
Shiffrin leads the slalom discipline standings with 580 points and dominates the overall World Cup rankings. She has an exceptional record on this very slope, having claimed the “Snow Space Salzburg Princess” title five times and consistently podiuming (except for an early DNF in her debut). The two-time Olympic champion thrives under the pressure of night races and floodlights, where her precision, edge control, and mental toughness shine brightest.
Rast, the defending Flachau champion from last year and current slalom world champion, poses the biggest threat. Fresh off back-to-back victories in Kranjska Gora, the Swiss star is in scorching form and sits second in the slalom points (362). Other podium contenders include Switzerland’s Wendy Holdener, known for her disciplined lines on icy conditions, and rising talents from across Europe and North America.
The event also features a vibrant supporting program, including live music (with an Ö3 concert featuring RIAN) and the crowning of the race winner as the “Snow Space Salzburg Princess.” This penultimate women’s slalom before the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games (starting February 6) adds extra intensity—every gate and every hundredth of a second counts toward Olympic qualification and momentum.
With the atmosphere electric and the stakes sky-high, Flachau promises another unforgettable chapter in alpine skiing’s greatest rivalries. Will Shiffrin reclaim her throne under the lights, or will Rast continue her red-hot streak? Tune in for what could be a preview of the Olympic slalom showdown in Cortina.
