Wendy Holdener and Camille Rast: GEPA pictures
Camille Rast delivered a dominant first run in Saalbach, seizing the lead with a commanding 0.58-second advantage. The Swiss skier, who has won two World Cup slaloms this season, is in a prime position to claim her first World Championship title. Austria’s Katharina Liensberger, the 2021 slalom world champion, sat in second, carrying the home crowd’s hopes. Mikaela Shiffrin, the most successful slalom skier in history with 62 World Cup wins and four world slalom titles, was third after the first run, 0.72 seconds back. With one run remaining, the battle for gold was set to intensify.
Camille Rast Crowned Slalom World Champion in Saalbach
With only five skiers left to race, Slovenia’s Andreja Slokar sat in the leader’s chair, but the competition was far from over. Stifel U.S. Ski Team’s Paula Moltzan was next to attack the course, delivering a brilliant run and seizing the lead with four racers to go.
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Holdener Storms Into the Lead
Swiss veteran Wendy Holdener followed, skiing with confidence and authority. She powered through the course, clean and aggressive, building speed all the way to the finish. When she crossed the line, she shattered Moltzan’s time by a massive 0.88 seconds, taking firm control of the race.
“Winning this silver medal means so much. The last few years, slalom didn’t always go my way, and I wanted to change that today. I fought hard, gave everything, and I’m proud to finish on such a high note. This sport is tough—you have to deliver at the right moment—but my consistency over the years is something I’m really proud of. To share this moment with my family and team makes it even more special.” – Wendy Holdener
Shiffrin Falls Short of the Podium
Only three remained at the start, and the first to go was the most successful slalom skier in history, Mikaela Shiffrin. The American charged with her signature determination, but small mistakes cost her time at every interval. She crossed the line 0.91 seconds behind Holdener, sliding into third with two still to go.
“It’s a little strange balancing the feeling of just wanting to make progress with the desire to fight for medals. Winning one gold was beyond expectations, and today was something I can learn from. I’m definitely getting closer—eight weeks ago, I had surgery, and six weeks ago, I was in bed with a drainage tube. Perspective is important, but I’m here, I want to do well, and it just takes time.” – Mikaela Shiffrin
Home Crowd Roars for Liensberger
Next up was the fastest Austrian from the first run, Katharina Liensberger, and the energy in the stadium reached its peak. The home fans willed her down the course, but she struggled to find the speed she had earlier in the day. She finished 0.86 behind Holdener, but to the delight of the Austrian crowd, it was enough to move into second, guaranteeing a podium finish.
“Standing on the podium at home is an incredible feeling. I gave everything I had, and to win a medal in front of this amazing crowd is so special. The energy from the fans pushed me all the way, and I’m so proud to bring this bronze medal to Austria.” – Katharina Liensberger
Rast Delivers Under Pressure
With only one racer left, the gold medal was in Camille Rast’s hands. The Swiss slalom star, who had dominated the first run and leads the World Cup standings, started with a 0.81-second advantage over her teammate Holdener. She skied with precision, control, and the confidence of a champion, delivering excellence when it mattered most. As she crossed the finish line, Rast secured her place in history as the 2025 Slalom World Champion.
“I came here with no expectations—if it was good, great, if not, no problem. I’ve had a strong season already, but to ski two great runs and become World Champion? It’s just amazing.” – Camille Rast
Swiss Domination, Austrian Celebration
Rast led a Swiss one-two finish, with Holdener claiming silver, while Liensberger thrilled the home crowd with bronze.
Notably, fourth place went to Moltzan, who skied brilliantly in the second run, and fifth to the all-time greatest slalom skier, Shiffrin. It was a race filled with intensity, drama, and the ultimate crowning of a new World Champion.
Relentless Lead Changes Lead Into the Battle for Gold
The second run of the Women’s Slalom at the Saalbach 2025 World Championships began with a flurry of lead changes. After the first ten racers had completed their runs, Martina Dubovská of the Czech Republic held a slim 0.05-second advantage over Sweden’s Hanna Aronsson Elfman.
Hurt’s Costly Mistake, Nullmeyer Skis Out
The 11th skier, Stifel U.S. Ski Team’s AJ Hurt, looked poised to take over the lead, carrying her speed through the timing sectors. However, a costly mistake near the bottom put her 0.90 seconds behind Dubovská, dashing her hopes of earning valuable World Cup Start List points.
Italy’s Lara Della Mea, the 12th skier, finally unseated Dubovská, taking over the leader’s chair. Her time in front was brief as Sweden’s Cornelia Oehlund delivered a fast, aggressive run to snatch the top spot.
The lead changes kept coming. Canada’s Ali Nullmeyer, the 14th starter, struggled to keep pace and then made a critical mistake, skiing out before the finish. With her DNF, no Canadians would complete the race.
Chevrier Takes Control at the Halfway Mark
At the halfway point of the top 30 starters, France’s Marion Chevrier had taken control, holding a 0.34-second advantage over Cornelia Oehlund. The rapid shifts in the leaderboard set the stage for an intense battle to the finish.
Top 10 Prepare as Chevrier Holds the Lead
With 20 racers in the finish and the ten fastest from the first run waiting at the start, there was no change at the top of the leaderboard. Chevrier remained in the lead, Oehlund sat in second, and France’s Marie Lamure held third as the race approached its decisive moments.
Ljutić Breaks Through, but the Lead Keeps Changing
As racers struggled with the demanding course, it was finally the ninth-fastest from the first run, Croatia’s 2025 slalom sensation Zrinka Ljutić, who delivered a strong performance. She attacked confidently and precisely, taking the lead from Chevrier by 0.38 seconds and claiming the leader’s chair with eight skiers left to challenge.
However, German veteran Lena Dürr was next on course and delivered a brilliant run, immediately taking over the top spot with seven racers still to go.
Roaring Home Crowd Fuels Truppe’s Run
Austrian Katharina Truppe followed, and the home crowd could be heard from miles away. The energy surged as she flashed green split times, and when she crossed the finish line with a 0.42-second lead, the stadium erupted in celebration. The constant lead changes electrified the atmosphere, with the fans singing in joy.
Slokar Takes Control With Five to Go
The excitement continued as Slovenia’s Andreja Slokar pushed the limits on her run. Attacking aggressively, she charged into the leader’s chair, keeping the thrilling second run alive with just five racers left to go.
A Thrilling Conclusion to the Women’s Program at Saalbach 2025
The Women’s Slalom brought an electrifying end to the women’s events at the 2025 Saalbach Alpine Ski World Championships, delivering non-stop drama, breathtaking performances, and a historic Swiss triumph. Camille Rast’s dominant display across both runs secured her first World Championship title, solidifying her as a rising force in slalom. Wendy Holdener’s silver completed a Swiss one-two finish, while Austria’s Katharina Liensberger thrilled the home crowd by stepping onto the podium with bronze.
The race was defined by relentless lead changes, daring attacks, and heartbreaking mistakes. Paula Moltzan’s fourth-place finish showcased her growing presence among the world’s best, while Mikaela Shiffrin, the greatest slalom skier of all time, rounded out the top five. The intense competition highlighted the depth of the women’s slalom field, setting the stage for more thrilling battles in the remainder of the season.
As the women’s program comes to a close in Saalbach, a new World Champion is crowned, and attention now shifts to the final men’s event, where the battle for gold continues tomorrow.
Top 30 Results
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Run Analysis: Fastest Three and Other Top 15 North Americans
About the Author: Peter Lange
