Camille Rast: GEPA pictures
Rast Sets the Standard in Saalbach
The final women’s race of the 2025 FIS Alpine Ski World Championships began under clear skies, with a packed finish stadium buzzing with anticipation. The course set the stage for an aggressive, high-speed battle, demanding power and quick transitions. The biggest challenge came from its relentless tempo, forcing racers to react quickly at every gate.
Austrian Katharina Liensberger kicked things off with energy and determination, fueled by the roar of her home crowd. She attacked each gate, holding a clean line through the course. When she crossed the finish line, the Austrian fans erupted as she claimed the leader’s chair, setting the pace for the rest of the field.
Shiffrin Returns to the World Stage
Mikaela Shiffrin, wearing bib 3, made her highly anticipated return to World Championship slalom racing after two months away due to injury. The American great ignited the green lights early, displaying her signature balance and focus. However, in the lower section, she lost timing through the final sectors, giving up time to the leader. She finished the morning 0.72 seconds back, holding the third-fastest time of the first run.
Rast Delivers a Commanding Performance
Switzerland’s Camille Rast, the season slalom leader, delivered a brilliant run filled with aggressive transitions and flawless edge control. She carried speed effortlessly, shifting her weight from ski to ski with powerful focus. By the time she reached the finish, she had established a commanding 0.58-second lead over Liensberger, taking over the leader’s chair and setting the mark for the rest of the field to chase.
Ljutić Struggles to Find Rhythm
Croatia’s Zrinka Ljutić, a rising force in slalom, fought hard but struggled to match the pace of the leaders. A series of unusual mistakes cost her valuable time, leaving her 2.14 seconds off the lead and well behind the top contenders.
With the first seven racers down, Rast remained in control, Liensberger sat in second, and Shiffrin, 0.72 back, held third, keeping herself in contention for a second-run charge.
It was striking to see only three women within a second of the Swiss leader after the first run. In fourth was Rast’s veteran teammate Wendy Holdener, 0.80 behind. The fifth-fastest of the first run was the newly crowned World Championship bronze medalist Paula Moltzan of the Stifel U.S. Ski Team, but she sat 1.55 seconds back.
St-Germain Skis Out, Canada Leaves Saalbach Without a Medal
The reigning champion, Canada’s Laurence St-Germain, set off to defend her title but struggled with the course’s relentless tempo. Unable to find her rhythm, she skied out, ending Canada’s medal hopes in Saalbach. Canada will leave these World Championships empty-handed after an exciting medal haul in Courchevel/Méribel in 2023.
The quick tempo of the course took out a significant 1/3 of the first 30 skiers to compete. The time spread among the remaining 20 was 4.75 seconds. The high rate of racers who did not finish meant that there was plenty of opportunity for the higher bibbed skier to move into the top 30 flip and earn a better second run start position.
Strong Performances From Higher Bibs Shake Up the Standings
Ten skiers with bibs above 30 capitalized on the conditions to break into the top 30. Italy’s Marta Rossetti, wearing bib 32, was the fastest of the group, finishing 11th and 2.58 seconds off the lead. The final racer to secure a top-30 spot was the Netherlands’ Kiara Derks, bib 52, who placed 30th, 7.35 seconds back.
Like in a World Cup, the fastest 30 skiers will race in reverse order of their first-run standings during the second run. However, 60 skiers qualify for the second run, unlike the World Cup. Those finishing between 31st and 60th will compete after the top 30 have completed their runs, skiing in the order of their first-run results—however, only 45 of the 116 starters finished the first run.
Shiffrin and Moltzan Lead North American Effort
The North American standings after the first run saw Shiffrin in third, 0.72 behind Rast and Moltzan in fifth, 1.55 seconds back. Alpine Canada Alpin’s Ali Nullmeyer sat 17th, 3.27 seconds off the lead, while AJ Hurt was 20th, trailing by 3.53 seconds.
Unfortunately, St-Germain was not the only North American to ski out. Her teammate, Amelia Smart, and the Stifel U.S. Ski Team’s Katie Hensien also failed to finish. While Shiffrin and Moltzan remain in medal contention, Nullmeyer and Hurt will battle to break into the top 15 and secure valuable World Cup start list points.
Top 30 First Run Results
Click images to enlarge
Run Analysis: Fastest Three and Other Top 15 North Americans
About the Author: Peter Lange
