Camille Rast winning her first GS World Cup/ GEPA pictures
Rast Dominates in Kranjska Gora
Camille Rast (SUI), wearing bib 1 today, stayed in first place throughout. “It’s amazing,” Rast said. “But this weekend, my hometown was affected by a tragic accident, so my thoughts are with those families. We raced for them this weekend, and that made it very emotional.” She came out attacking from the start on her second run, skiing with exceptional efficiency through the key middle section before the final pitch. “The first run was really difficult to understand how to ski it,” she said. “The second run was fun, but it wasn’t easy. I had to stay focused all the way down.”
Emotionally charged, Rast skied not just for herself but for her people, paying tribute to the tragedy in Crans-Montana over the New Year. Executing a smart tactical approach that kept her on line while many others struggled to maintain speed through the terrain, she showcased both her skill and her resilience.
“I feel like I’ve found race freedom now,” Rast said. “I’m in the rhythm, and I’m just trying to keep rocking and having fun on the skis.” Her performance today highlighted not only her talent but also her heart and determination.
Scheib and Moltzan’s Tactical Brilliance Earns Podium Spots
Julia Scheib (AUT) climbed from fifth after the first run to secure second place on the podium. With 3 GS victories and 5 podiums this season, she displayed consistent, calculated skiing, maintaining speed throughout the course. Her tactical approach and precision in the middle section allowed her to rise above the competition and continue her strong season. She made great adjustment into run 2 form run 1 and it showed with her move to the podium and gaining valuable points toward the GS globe.
Paula Moltzan (USA), currently 7th in the World Cup GS rankings, continues to impress. After two DNFs last weekend, this podium finish was a welcome confidence boost.
“I’m really happy,” Moltzan said. “After two DNFs last weekend, it felt good to come back and be back on the podium. It was a confidence check that I still belong here. It feels like another box checked. It shows this isn’t a one-hit wonder and that I can do it run after run.”
On the second run, she had a strong start and navigated the middle section well, although she lost a little time compared to Julia Scheib. Moltzan made up ground on the bottom pitch, finishing in third and earning another podium. “We were lucky that the snow was really good today,” she added. “It let you control the speed the way you wanted, which makes it easier to go all in on a race like this.” Watching her skiing develop this season has been exciting, and her trajectory points to big things in 2026.
Unforgettable Second Runs
Sofia Goggia (ITA) delivered a remarkable second run, starting 27th and moving up with a tactical approach and clean, attacking skiing that had her holding the winners’ chair for most of the race. Her mastery of the challenging middle section set a standard few could match, ultimately finishing the day in 11th.
🇮🇹 Sofia Goggia — Bib 11
Start: 27th → Finish: 11th (+16)
Sara Hector (SWE) delivered a courageous second run, winning it by 0.35 seconds and moving into fourth place overall. While just shy of the podium, Hector’s performance will provide confidence moving forward.
Maryna Gasienica-Daniel (POL) also impressed, finishing seventh after an aggressive second run, showing steady improvement throughout the season that has been really fun to watch.
Elisabeth Bocock (USA) looked like she was still trying to find the finish line in the first run, something she has struggled with in past races. For the second run, she was able to shake off those nerves and ski with the confident, flowing style she has shown glimpses of this season, finishing 14th and demonstrating the potential for even stronger results in upcoming races.
“I’m honestly just really relieved,” Bocock said. “After a few tough races and some DNFs, it felt so good to put one down. Even after the first run, I was relieved just to make it to the finish. The first run didn’t feel great, but I trusted my coach’s plan. The goal was to make it down the first run and then really push the second run, so I’m super happy with how that worked.”
“The snow is hard but not slick, which feels amazing,” she added. “After Semmering, it’s nice to ski on a surface where you can really feel confident and attack. I want to take the confidence from today, but keep pushing. Tomorrow is slalom, so it’s a whole new challenge.”
🇺🇸Elisabeth Bocock — Bib 31
Start: 22nd → Finish: 14th (+8)
North American Surge
It was a strong day for North American skiers, with Paula Moltzan on the podium, Mikaela Shiffrin finishing fifth, and Nina O’Brien impressing in eighth. Last season, Shiffrin was watching this race from her couch, still working through a horrific crash that led her to speak openly about PTSD and the mental challenges of returning to racing. Today, she showed significant progress. Although she made a few mistakes on her second run, her skiing was tactical and aggressive, pushing her line and taking calculated risks, a clear sign that she is regaining her GS confidence. O’Brien, coming off several years of battling through a tough injury, demonstrated full attack despite a few mistakes, showing resilience and determination. We will see more from her for sure.
“It was a totally solid day,” O’Brien said. “I had some moments of really good skiing, and I’m feeling good on my skis overall. There are still a few spots I can clean up to be faster, but it’s a nice start to 2026. I’m taking a lot of positives from today,” she said. “The speed is there, and now it’s about cleaning things up. It feels really good to see everyone have a strong day together,” O’Brien said. “We’ve known the speed is there, and I think there’s even more to come.”
The American contingent also included AJ Hurt, who finished 25th today. Returning from a hip injury that sidelined her at the start of the season and limited her time on snow, she made an impressive step back into the GS field.
Canadian skiers showed strong skiing into the new year, with Valérie Grenier skiing confidently on challenging sections and finding consistency, though she probably would have wanted a bit more today after winning in Kranjska Gora in 2023 and 2024. Britt Richardson displayed speed despite mistakes, finishing 12th, while Cassidy Gray’s 16th-place finish further highlights the depth and strength of the North American athletes in this competitive field.
High Competition, Multiple Lead Changes
The cold conditions in Kranjska Gora and a slightly easier second-run course didn’t prevent surprises. The middle section before the bottom pitch challenged many, resulting in seven lead changes throughout the second run. This field of GS female athletes is so deep that on any day, any of the top 15 could claim victory. Today highlighted both the unpredictability of the sport and the talent of the athletes.
Looking Ahead to Kronplatz
Up next is the giant slalom in Kronplatz, and the anticipation is building. Can Alice Robinson find the finish line after recent struggles? Will Federica Brignone make a comeback—rumor has it she could be back in action? And can Camille Rast carry her momentum forward after a dominant performance in Kranjska Gora? With such a deep and talented field, the next Giant Slalom race is shaping up to be full of excitement and drama.
Race Results
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Second Run Analysis: Top Three and Other Top 30 North Americans
About the Author: Katie Twible
