The second run started on time, and the energy in the finish stadium was electric as fans eagerly anticipated the crowning of the 2025 GS World Champion. Although Austria’s contenders were not in the hunt for a medal, the passionate home crowd embraced the spectacle, cheering loudly for every racer who attacked the demanding course.
The fastest 30 skiers from the first run kicked off the second run in reverse order, with the 30th-fastest skier starting first. The race would build to its dramatic conclusion when Federica Brignone, the fastest from the first run, took the course as the 30th and final skier, determining who would be crowned the 2025 GS World Champion.
The Battle for the Lead Intensifies
With eight skiers remaining, Albania’s Lara Colturi led Canadian Junior World Champion Britt Richardson by 0.39 seconds.
The first of the final eight to race was Croatia’s slalom standout, Zrinka Ljutić, who couldn’t top Colturi but slotted into second, pushing Richardson to third with seven to go. Up next was another slalom specialist, Germany’s veteran Lena Dürr, who skied cleanly and moved into third, leaving six contenders at the top.
Then, Norway’s Thea Louise Stjernesund attacked the course with determination, delivering a brilliant run to take the lead by 0.87 seconds over Colturi. With only the fastest five from the first run remaining, the fight for the podium was heating up.
Brignone Crowned 2025 Giant Slalom World Champion
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As the final three skiers prepared to race, Stjernesund still led, but the battle for gold was far from over.
Moltzan Claims First Individual World Championship Medal
Stifel U.S. Ski Team’s Paula Moltzan was the first of the final three to ski, and she delivered a spectacular run, lighting up green sectors all the way to the bottom. She crossed the line just 0.01 seconds ahead of Stjernesund, securing her spot on the World Championship podium—a historic moment, as Moltzan had never finished a World Championship GS before. While she has won team event medals, this marked her first individual World Championship medal.
Moltzan on Winning Bronze:
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“I don’t think it’s fully set in yet, but having my parents here makes it feel pretty real. Back-to-back GS podiums is something I’ve dreamed about my whole life, and to do it on this stage feels pretty good.
I told myself I was going for it—I wasn’t going to leave anything out there. A lot of hard work, practice, and even some disappointment got me to this moment. Missing the podium in both team events was tough, but it made me even hungrier for this. As River Radamus says, there’s nothing worse than getting fourth on the big stage.
I just kept repeating my goal to myself, and when the time came, I knew I had to execute. Now, it’s time to go collect that medal.” — Paula Moltzan, 2025 GS World Championship Bronze Medalist
Robinson Rises to the Occasion
Next came New Zealand’s Alice Robinson, a dominant force in giant slalom, and she delivered when it mattered most. She built speed through every section, charging through the final gates to a thunderous ovation and seizing the lead by a massive 1.72 seconds. Her previous best World Championship GS finish was fourth in 2021, but this time, she secured a place on the podium—earning New Zealand’s first-ever World Championship medal in Alpine skiing
Brignone Closes the Race in Style
That left only Federica Brignone, the Italian superstar who had built a 0.67-second advantage over Robinson in the first run. Brignone attacked the course with precision and power, carrying her speed over the toughest sections. When she crossed the line, it was official—Federica Brignone was the 2025 Giant Slalom World Champion.
“I’ve dreamed of this moment for so many years. I was always second, but today, I finally have my gold medal. It’s one of the best days of my life. I think it will take time to fully understand what this means, but tonight, I will truly realize—I am a World Champion.” — Federica Brignone, 2025 GS World Champion
Final Podium: Brignone, Robinson, Moltzan
Robinson claimed silver, securing New Zealand’s best-ever World Championship GS result, while Moltzan’s bronze gave the U.S. a place on the podium in one of ski racing’s most prestigious events. For Brignone, it was a long-awaited triumph, having finished second in GS at the World Championships in both 2011 and 2023—but now, she finally had her gold.
North Americans Dominate Early Lead
After the first 15 skiers had raced, familiar World Cup names occupied the top of the leaderboard. Canada’s Britt Richardson, the reigning Junior World Champion, held a commanding lead, sitting 0.77 seconds ahead of her teammate Valérie Grenier, a two-time World Cup GS winner. Poland’s Maryna Gąsienica-Daniel was just 0.79 seconds back, keeping the battle tight as the second run progressed.
When Stifel U.S. Ski Team’s AJ Hurt crossed the line as the 16th skier to finish, North Americans swept the top three, with Richardson leading, Hurt in second, and Grenier in third. However, their time at the top was short-lived as Switzerland’s Camille Rast, the 17th skier, delivered a strong run to slot into second place, pushing Hurt down the leaderboard.
With 10 racers remaining, the only change at the top was Austria’s Katharina Liensberger moving into third, keeping the battle for podium positions wide open.
Heartbreak for Austria as Scheib Crashes
The Austrian crowd fell silent as Julia Scheib crashed on the finish pitch, despite lighting up green sectors throughout her run. The 15,000 spectators, who had erupted in cheers moments earlier, were left stunned as their country’s top contender failed to complete her run.
Colturi Takes Over the Lead
It was finally 18-year-old Albanian sensation Lara Colturi who ended Britt Richardson’s time in the leader’s chair, delivering a strong, composed run to take over the top spot with eight skiers remaining.
North Americans in the Top 15
Four North American skiers finished in the top 15 at the 2025 GS World Championships, led by Paula Moltzan (USA) on the podium in third and Britt Richardson (CAN) in ninth.
Moltzan delivered a clutch second run to secure bronze, earning her first individual World Championship medal. Richardson, the reigning Junior World Champion, impressed with a top-10 finish, showing her potential on the biggest stage.
AJ Hurt (USA) climbed to 13th, delivering a solid second run, while Valérie Grenier (CAN) finished 14th, holding her spot as Canada’s top-ranked racer.
AJ Hurt on Her Performance in the GS World Championship
“I knew that was a big turn over the roll, so I tried to bring direction—but I brought a little too much. Still, I think it worked out okay.
My second run was definitely better. It wasn’t perfect all the way down, but I found better sections and was able to bring more energy and aggression. The snow was actually firmer for the second run, which helped.
Even though I don’t love this snow in GS, I really like it in slalom—so I’m hoping for similar conditions next time.” — AJ Hurt, 13th Place, 2025 GS World Championship
North America’s strong showing in the top 15, including a podium, highlighted the region’s growing depth in GS.
Top 30 Race results
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Race Analysis of the Fastest 3 and North Americans among the top 15
About the Author: Peter Lange
