The iconic Hermann Maier floodlit course in Flachau lit up with red, white, and blue as Mikaela Shiffrin and teammate Paula Moltzan delivered a commanding American 1-2 finish after the opening run of Tuesday’s FIS Alpine World Cup women’s slalom on January 13, 2026.
Shiffrin, the undisputed queen of slalom this Olympic season with five victories in six races so far, dropped a flawless, aggressive line to set the pace. Moltzan, chasing her maiden World Cup win, stayed hot on her heels just +0.19 seconds back, showcasing her trademark speed and recovery skills. Austria’s Katharina Truppe rounded out the provisional podium in third, +0.35 off the lead, while Swiss star Camille Rast—fresh off ending Shiffrin’s recent winning streak in Kranjska Gora—sits fourth at +0.78 after a late error.
Here are thrilling action shots from the first run under the Flachau lights:
Shiffrin, gunning for her record-extending 107th career World Cup victory (70th in slalom and sixth in Flachau), looked in complete control on a course that favors her elite edge control and precision. The American legend has stood on the podium in nearly every Flachau appearance since her 2011 debut DNF, including five wins.
Moltzan, who has built momentum with strong results this season, including podiums earlier, brings added pressure from within the U.S. team. The duo’s friendly rivalry—highlighted by a recent joint podcast—now plays out live on the Hermann Maier piste.
Here are dynamic images of the American stars in slalom action:
Former NCAA Champion Paula Moltzan Takes 8th In the Olympic Slalom …
The electric night race atmosphere in Flachau sets the stage for a tense second run at 20:45 CET (2:45 p.m. ET), where Shiffrin could clinch the season slalom crystal globe with a win (if Rast finishes outside the top 14). Moltzan aims to convert her strong start into a breakthrough victory, while Truppe and Rast lurk as serious threats on home snow and in familiar conditions.
With only one more slalom before the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics (February 6-22), this Flachau showdown could foreshadow the battle for slalom gold on the Tofane course in Cortina.
All eyes now turn to the decisive second leg—will the Stars and Stripes sweep the podium, or will Europe strike back under the Austrian night sky? ❄️🇺🇸
