Mikaela Shiffrin once again proved why she’s the undisputed night slalom queen, lighting up the iconic Hermann Maier floodlit course with ice-cold precision to claim the lead after the first run of Tuesday’s FIS Alpine World Cup women’s slalom on January 13, 2026.
The 30-year-old American superstar set a blistering benchmark, holding off her U.S. teammate Paula Moltzan by a razor-thin 0.19 seconds. Austria’s Katharina Truppe kept the home crowd roaring from third place, just 0.35 back, setting up an intense battle on Salzburgerland snow.
Here are electrifying shots of Shiffrin dominating the gates under the famous Flachau night lights:
Shiffrin, chasing her record-extending 107th career World Cup victory (70th in slalom) and a sixth triumph in Flachau, has been nearly unbeatable this Olympic season—winning five of the six slaloms so far. Her flawless line and elite edge control shone on the demanding piste, where she’s reached the podium in nearly every appearance since her 2011 debut.
Moltzan, in pursuit of her maiden World Cup win, delivered a strong performance to keep the pressure on her teammate. The duo’s friendly rivalry—fresh from a recent joint podcast—now unfolds live under the floodlights.
Catch these dynamic action views of the American stars carving through the course:
Mikaela Shiffrin and US teammate Paula Moltzan 1-2 after 1st run …
Truppe, riding the energy of the passionate Austrian fans, lurks as a real threat, while Swiss star Camille Rast (who recently ended Shiffrin’s winning streak in Kranjska Gora) sits fourth at +0.78 after a late error.
The electric atmosphere of Flachau’s night race, with sparkling lights and roaring crowds, promises high drama in the second run at 20:45 CET (2:45 p.m. ET). A win for Shiffrin could secure the season slalom crystal globe early and signal her form heading into the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics (February 6-22), where the women’s slalom will take place on Cortina’s Tofane course.
Here’s the stunning nighttime spectacle of the Hermann Maier piste in full glory:
The chase is on—will Shiffrin extend her dominance and claim another Flachau crown, or can Moltzan, Truppe, or a charging rival steal the spotlight? The second leg will decide. 🌙⛷️🇺🇸
