Camille Rast / GEPA pictures
Camille Rast delivered the fastest run of the morning in Åre, Sweden, leading the first run of the FIS Ski World Cup giant slalom in 1:11.86. The Swiss skier holds a narrow advantage over Austria’s Julia Scheib, who sits just 0.11 seconds back as the battle for the discipline crystal globe intensifies with only two races remaining this season.
Scheib entered the race leading the giant slalom standings with 560 points, ahead of Rast on 471. With Sara Hector—third in the standings and the 2026 Olympic giant slalom silver medalist—skiing out in the first run, the discipline race now centers entirely on Scheib and Rast, who occupy the top two spots on the Åre leaderboard.
The race remains wide open heading into the second run, with only 0.60 seconds separating the top four.
Top eight after the first run
1st — 🇨🇭 Camille Rast (SUI, 1999, Head) Bib 2 — 1:11.86
2nd — 🇦🇹 Julia Scheib (AUT, 1998) Bib 3 — +0.11
3rd — 🇺🇸 Paula Moltzan (USA, 1994) Bib 4 — +0.56
4th — 🇳🇿 Alice Robinson (NZL, 2001) Bib 5 — +0.60
5th — 🇭🇷 Zrinka Ljutić (CRO, 2004) Bib 9 — +1.12
6th — 🇩🇪 Emma Aicher (GER, 2003, Head) Bib 17 — +1.26
7th — 🇳🇴 Thea Louise Stjernesund (NOR, 1996) Bib 1 — +1.44
8th — 🇮🇹 Sofia Goggia (ITA, 1992, Atomic) Bib 15 — +1.56
Rast vs Scheib: the crystal globe battle
Rast attacked the course with a smooth and efficient run that carried speed through every section of the hill. The Swiss skier finished strongly to establish the fastest time of the run.
Scheib, the most successful giant slalom skier of the season, responded immediately. The Austrian stayed close throughout the course and delivered the fastest final sector to finish just 0.11 seconds behind Rast, keeping command of the fight for the discipline title.
With only the Åre race and the World Cup Finals remaining in the giant slalom calendar, every point is critical.
Moltzan in podium position for Stifel U.S. Ski Team
Paula Moltzan delivered one of the best runs of her season to sit third after the first run. The American attacked the course aggressively, skiing on the edge of control while maintaining speed through the middle section of the hill.
Her time of 1:12.42 leaves her 0.56 seconds off the lead and firmly in the fight for a podium finish heading into the second run.
New Zealand’s Alice Robinson sits fourth at +0.60 after losing time in the final sector despite posting the fastest split in the third sector.
Shiffrin fastest early before costly mistake
Mikaela Shiffrin showed flashes of her best skiing early in the run. The American posted the fastest times in both the first and second sectors and the second-fastest time in the third sector, putting her on pace for the lead.
However, a mistake in the final sector forced her briefly onto her hip, costing significant time and dropping her to 12th place at +2.29.
It was encouraging nonetheless to see the American skiing aggressively. Shiffrin has spoken openly about battling anxiety since her crash in Killington early last season, and the run showed she was once again willing to attack the course.
The first run also has implications for the overall World Cup standings. Shiffrin entered Åre leading the overall with 1,141 points ahead of Germany’s Emma Aicher on 1,016. Aicher strengthened her position in the first run by finishing sixth, ahead of Shiffrin.
Aicher continues overall title push
Emma Aicher delivered an impressive run from Bib 17 to finish sixth, just 1.26 seconds off the lead. The German is a four-event skier and giant slalom is considered her weakest discipline, making the result particularly significant in the overall race.
With six races still remaining this season where Aicher can score points, every finish ahead of Shiffrin matters in the battle for the overall crystal globe.
Olympic medalists feature in dramatic first run
The race also featured several Olympic medalists from the 2026 Games in Cortina. Olympic bronze medalist Thea Louise Stjernesund sits seventh after the first run, while Olympic silver medalist Sara Hector saw her race end early after crashing late in the run in front of her home crowd.
Federica Brignone, the Olympic champion, is not competing in Åre after ending her season earlier in Soldeu.
Stifel U.S. Ski Team: four advance to second run
Four Stifel U.S. Ski Team athletes qualified for the second run.
• 3rd — 🇺🇸 Paula Moltzan (USA, 1994) Bib 4 — +0.56
• 12th — 🇺🇸 Mikaela Shiffrin (USA, 1995, Atomic, Oakley) Bib 6 — +2.29
• 14th — 🇺🇸 A.J. Hurt (USA, 2000, Head) Bib 21 — +2.55
• T-19th — 🇺🇸 Nina O’Brien (USA, 1997) Bib 14 — +3.08
Katie Hensien crashed in the third sector while skiing well and will miss the second run. Elizabeth Bocock skied out in the second sector after posting a fast opening split, while Mary Bocock finished outside the top 30.
Alpine Canada
One Alpine Canada skier advanced to the second run.
• 21st — 🇨🇦 Britt Richardson (CAN, 2003) Bib 13 — +3.26
Valérie Grenier was skiing well and leading into the final sector before skiing out near the bottom of the course.
High bibs make an impact
Several later starters fought their way into the top 30 and qualified for the second run.
• 23rd — 🇸🇪 Hilma Lövblom (SWE, 2000) Bib 36 — +3.41
• 26th — 🇨🇭 Stefanie Grob (SUI, 2004) Bib 46 — +3.57
• 27th — 🇮🇹 Ilaria Ghisalberti (ITA, 2000) Bib 32 — +3.59
• 28th — 🇮🇹 Laura Pirovano (ITA, 1997, Head) Bib 31 — +3.62
• 29th — 🇨🇭 Dania Allenbach (SUI, 2000) Bib 34 — +3.75
• 30th — 🇸🇪 Sophie Nyberg (SWE, 2004) Bib 44 — +3.76
Nyberg’s result is particularly notable as the Swedish skier qualifies skiing in her first World Cup.
With the top four separated by just six-tenths of a second and the discipline title on the line, the second run promises a dramatic conclusion in Åre.
First Run top thirty results
Click images to enlarge
Run Analysis of the Leaders and North American Qualifiers
About the Author: Peter Lange
