The American superstar, already the most decorated alpine skier in history with over 100 World Cup wins, stormed to the top of the leaderboard after the first run of the women’s slalom at the FIS World Cup in Åre, Sweden, on March 15, 2026.
Shiffrin delivered a flawless, aggressive performance on the iconic Störtloppsbacken course, building a commanding 0.51-second advantage over her closest pursuer, Germany’s Emma Aicher—the very racer hot on her heels in the overall Crystal Globe standings.
With the first 15 athletes down and the field thinning, Shiffrin’s time stands unchallenged so far, showcasing the precision and speed that have made her untouchable in slalom this season. She’s won seven of the eight slaloms contested so far in 2025/26, and this Åre run feels like vintage Shiffrin: smooth, powerful, and borderline untouchable.
Aicher, sitting second after run one, remains the biggest threat—not just for the race win, but in the bigger picture. The young German phenom trails Shiffrin by roughly 120 points in the overall standings heading into this penultimate slalom weekend, keeping the high-stakes battle for the season-long overall title very much alive.
Behind them, the rest of the field faces an uphill battle. Switzerland’s Camille Rast and other top contenders will need near-perfect second runs to close the gap, especially on a pitchy, technical setup that rewards aggression without punishing small mistakes.
This is classic Shiffrin territory: she thrives under pressure, especially in slalom, where her technique and mental toughness have produced record-breaking margins time and again. Fans are buzzing—can Aicher or anyone else mount a comeback in run two, or will Shiffrin extend her dominance and take another massive step toward a sixth overall Crystal Globe?
Live updates and full results streaming now on the FIS App. Don’t miss run two—it’s shaping up to be a thriller! ⛷️🔥
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