American skiing superstar Mikaela Shiffrin once again proved why she’s considered the greatest of all time, powering to a commanding victory in the women’s World Cup night slalom under the iconic floodlights of Flachau. The win marks her sixth career triumph on this demanding course, her sixth slalom victory of the 2025-26 season, her 70th career World Cup slalom win, and her record-extending 107th overall World Cup victory.
Shiffrin, the double Olympic champion, delivered a flawless performance across both runs on the icy, rutted Griessenkar slope, finishing with a combined time of 1:50.52. She edged out her longtime teammate and friend Paula Moltzan by 0.41 seconds, securing a thrilling 1-2 finish for Team USA. Austria’s Katharina Truppe rounded out the podium in third place (+0.65 seconds), delighting the home crowd with her first podium of the season.
Here are stunning shots capturing Shiffrin’s precision and power through the gates under the night lights:
The race came just days after Shiffrin finished second in Kranjska Gora, where Switzerland’s Camille Rast briefly halted her winning streak. But in Flachau — a venue where she has now won six times — Shiffrin bounced back emphatically. She set the fastest first-run time (56.22 seconds), building a 0.19-second lead, then sealed the deal with a composed and aggressive second run that showcased her unmatched edge control and line discipline.
Moltzan, attacking aggressively in the final run, held off Truppe to guarantee at least silver before Shiffrin crossed the line. The two Americans shared an emotional hug at the finish, highlighting the deep bond between teammates who have skied together since their teenage years.
“It’s amazing to share this with Paula,” Shiffrin said post-race. “Podiums with teammates are the best thing in the world.”
The result extends Shiffrin’s stranglehold on the slalom discipline this season, where she has won six of seven races, and bolsters her lead in the overall World Cup standings ahead of the final pre-Olympic slalom in Špindlerův Mlýn, Czechia, on January 25.
With the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics just weeks away (opening February 6), Shiffrin’s form signals strong medal prospects for the U.S. team in the women’s slalom event on February 18.
Celebratory moments from the podium, where Shiffrin and Moltzan embraced the electric atmosphere:
Photographs courtesy of Getty Images, Reuters, AP, and Agence Zoom. As the Olympic countdown continues, Mikaela Shiffrin remains unstoppable — a true legend lighting up the slopes! 🇺🇸⛷️✨
