About the Author: Peter Lange

The first-ever Men's Team Combined World Championship title is on the line in Saalbach, where skiers battled shifting fog and challenging conditions in the downhill. Switzerland’s Alexis Monney set the fastest time, giving teammate Tanguy Nef a slight edge heading into the slalom. Franjo Von Allmen of Switzerland 1 finished just 0.02 seconds behind, setting up a showdown with Loïc Meillard. Italy’s Dominik Paris left Alex Vinatzer with 0.46 seconds to make up, while Austria’s Daniel Hemetsberger gave Fabio Gstrein a 0.95-second deficit. Norway’s Timon Haugan and France’s Clément Noël will need to charge hard, with 1.05 and 1.15 seconds to erase, respectively. With the start order reversed from the downhill, the race will come down to execution under pressure. Every turn matters, and the fight for gold is about to begin.

The Men’s Team Combined debuts at Saalbach 2025, introducing a fresh test of speed and technical skill in Alpine skiing. This new event pairs downhill and slalom specialists, with their combined times determining the winner. As athletes and fans experience the format for the first time, its success could shape the future of multi-discipline competition at the sport’s highest level.

The Women's Team Combined makes its World Championships debut on Feb. 9 in Saalbach, introducing a format that pairs a downhill skier and a slalom skier from each nation, with their combined time determining the winner. This event, set to feature at the 2026 Olympics, replaces the Mixed Team Parallel and aims to boost TV viewership. While its World Cup future remains uncertain, this week’s competition will test its appeal and competitiveness. The downhill starts at 4:00 a.m. Eastern, followed by slalom at 7:15 a.m. Eastern, with live coverage on Ski and Snowboard Live in the U.S. and CBC Sports in Canada.

Mikaela Shiffrin, the most successful ski racer in history, has made the tough decision to skip giant slalom at the FIS Alpine Ski World Championships in Saalbach, Austria, citing the need for more time to recover from injury. However, she will compete in the team combined event alongside newly crowned downhill World Champion Breezy Johnson, embracing the opportunity to race with her longtime friend. Shiffrin remains committed to slalom and continues working toward her full return.

Von Allmen seized his moment, proving that the next generation of Swiss downhill racers is ready to dominate. With fearless precision and relentless aggression, he attacked every section of the Schneekristall/Zwölfer course, pushing to the absolute limit. As he crossed the line in first, the Swiss fans erupted, celebrating yet another World Championship gold. Even the Austrian crowd, despite their heartbreak, acknowledged the brilliance of his run—a performance that cemented Switzerland’s grip on the speed events and left no doubt that Von Allmen is a force to be reckoned with.

Downhill skiing is the ultimate test of speed, power, and nerve, where athletes rocket down the mountain at 140 km/h, teetering on the edge of control. The 2025 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in Saalbach will push them to their limits on the Schneekristall/Zwölfer course—a track designed to reward fearlessness and punish hesitation. With defending champion Marco Odermatt leading the charge and key contenders like Aleksander Aamodt Kilde and Cameron Alexander sidelined, the race for gold is wide open. Will Switzerland extend its downhill dominance, or will a new challenger rise to claim victory?

Breezy Johnson’s fearless run from bib 1 set the tone for a thrilling day at the Saalbach World Championships, where she secured a historic downhill gold for the Stifel U.S. Ski Team. Austria’s Mirjam Puchner and the Czech Republic’s Ester Ledecká completed the podium, while Lauren Macuga’s impressive fifth-place finish further highlighted North America’s strong showing. With just 33 racers on the start list and 30 finishers, the race was a true test of skill, confidence, and courage—one that Johnson conquered with power and courage.

The 2025 World Championship downhill in Saalbach will be a high-stakes, one-run showdown, where aggression, precision, and fearlessness will decide the winner. With Italy’s Brignone and Goggia leading the season standings, Austria racing on home soil, and seven nations in the mix, the fight for gold is wide open. Rising star Lauren Macuga, past Saalbach winner Cornelia Huetter, and the legendary Lindsey Vonn’s return to World Championship downhill racing add even more intrigue. On Saturday, February 8, the world's best will push the limits on the Ulli Maier Downhill, where one perfect run is all that matters.

Marco Odermatt delivered a masterclass in Saalbach, dominating the Men's Super-G at the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships. The Swiss star attacked the course with fearless speed, building an untouchable 1.15-second lead that secured his first Super-G World Championship title. Austria’s Raphael Haaser thrilled the home crowd with a silver-medal performance, while Norway’s Adrian Smiseth Sejersted claimed his first career World Championship podium with bronze. The world’s best tried to challenge Odermatt’s time, but by the end of the race, the podium remained unchanged—his run stood as the defining performance of the day.

The Saalbach 2025 Men’s Super-G promises high-speed action as the world’s best skiers battle for gold on the demanding Zwölferkogel course. Marco Odermatt, the season’s top-ranked racer, leads a deep field, while defending world champion James Crawford looks to defend his title after a strong Kitzbühel downhill win. Vincent Kriechmayr, a two-time world champion, returns from injury, and Mattia Casse, Fredrik Møller, and Stefan Rogentin have all proven they can contend. With only one run to decide the champion, the race will come down to who takes the most risk and executes under pressure.

In a thrilling Women's Super-G at the 2025 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Austria, Stephanie Venier clinched gold for the host nation, while Federica Brignone secured silver. The bronze medal was shared by Norway's Kajsa Vickhoff Lie and American Lauren Macuga, both finishing with identical times.

Saalbach 2025 Women's Super-G Preview

The highly anticipated Women's Super-G at the 2025 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships takes place on February 6 in Saalbach, Austria. Athletes will face the challenging Zwölferkogel course, known for its steep terrain, high-speed sections, and demanding jumps. With defending world champion Marta Bassino, recent winners Lara Gut-Behrami, Federica Brignone, and Kajsa Vickhoff Lie, along with Lauren Macuga, who claimed her first World Cup victory this season, the race promises fierce competition. The U.S. and Canada bring a mix of experience and emerging stars, while six nations have multiple contenders ranked in the World Cup’s top 15.

Mikaela Shiffrin has opted out of the team combined event at the Alpine skiing world championships to focus on her preparation for the giant slalom and slalom. As she continues her comeback from injury, Shiffrin is prioritizing training to regain peak form. Her decision means she won’t team up with Lindsey Vonn, but she remains focused on competing at her highest level in her signature events.

The 2025 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in Saalbach have officially begun, with the first medals awarded in the Team Parallel event—Italy taking gold, Switzerland securing silver, and Sweden earning bronze. With rosters finalized, the world’s best skiers are set to compete under updated qualification rules, ensuring a high level of competition. Athletes earned their spots through FIS points, while special qualifying races allowed racers from smaller nations a chance to compete. As the championships continue, fans can expect thrilling battles on the slopes and a showcase of elite ski racing talent.

Italy claimed gold in the Team Parallel event at the FIS World Ski Championships, edging Switzerland in a dramatic tiebreak finish. Sweden secured bronze after defeating the defending champion Stifel U.S. Ski Team 3-1. The high-intensity matchups featured clutch performances, razor-thin margins, and tiebreak drama, setting the stage for an electrifying start to Saalbach 2025.

The 2025 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships open in Saalbach, Austria, with the Team Parallel event. Defending champions Stifel U.S. Ski Team, featuring returning stars Nina O’Brien, River Radamus, and Paula Moltzan, will battle top contenders Norway and Austria. Canada, last year’s bronze medalists, will not compete.

The Men’s Kandahar downhill in Garmisch-Partenkirchen has been canceled after dense fog at the bottom of the course prevented the final training run, making the race ineligible under FIS rules. Officials explored an alternative plan, but the top 15 ranked racers unanimously voted against it, leading to the event’s cancellation. The decision is a disappointment for athletes, fans, and the German Ski Federation, with financial and logistical impacts. While official racing won’t take place, U.S. and Canadian athletes have been invited to train on the historic Kandahar course ahead of the World Championships in Saalbach.

Under the roaring lights of Schladming, Norway’s Timon Haugan delivered a clutch second run to claim victory, securing a Norwegian sweep of the Schladming night races. Austria’s Manuel Feller and Fabio Gstrein gave the home crowd plenty to cheer about, finishing second and third, while Benjamin Ritchie of the Stifel U.S. Ski Team skied his way to 9th place, marking his second career top-10 finish. With the World Championships in Saalbach just weeks away, Austria carries strong momentum, while Norway continues to dominate under the lights.