Shiffrin / GEPA pictures
Shiffrin Sets the Benchmark Under the Lights
Mikaela Shiffrin delivered another statement performance under the lights in Courchevel, separating herself immediately in the first run of the women’s World Cup night slalom. The Stifel U.S. Ski Team star was fastest through all four sectors, stopping the clock in 49.77 seconds and establishing a clear benchmark on the steep, Stade Émile Allais.
Conditions were close to ideal at the start, with bright lighting and excellent visibility, but warm temperatures quickly began to affect the surface. As the run progressed, the snow deteriorated, punishing late turn pressure and rewarding early edge engagement — a dynamic that contributed to a high number of mistakes and exits.
Shiffrin once again showed she is operating on another level. She has been the fastest in every slalom run this season except one, and she continues to build time on her closest competitors rather than relying on a single decisive section.
It’s a really challenging hill and pretty hard to find a perfect feeling,” Shiffrin said. “Everybody is making a little mistake somewhere, so it’s important to stay active, keep moving through anything that doesn’t feel good, and just keep pushing forward.”
Rast Closest Challenger, Dürr Third as Pack Tightens
World champion Camille Rast (SUI) was the only skier to finish within a second of Shiffrin, crossing 0.83 seconds back after losing small amounts of time in each sector. Germany’s Lena Dürr followed in third-fastest on the first run at +1.16, delivering a controlled, mistake-free performance.
From there, the margins tightened significantly. Positions two through eight were separated by less than a second, underscoring how quickly the race compressed behind Shiffrin’s advantage. Germany’s Emma Aicher (+1.29), Sweden’s Anna Swenn Larsson (+1.46), Austria’s Katharina Truppe (+1.46), Sweden’s Sara Hector (+1.47), and Switzerland’s Wendy Holdener (+1.69) all remained firmly in podium contention heading into the second run.
Aicher, third in the season-opening slalom in Levi and fresh off a downhill victory in St. Moritz, once again showed her versatility by keeping herself in the podium picture.
Elite Group Shaken as DNFs Mount
The opening group delivered drama early. Three of the first seven starters failed to finish, setting the tone for a night that would punish even the smallest errors.
Albania’s Lara Colturi, who had finished on the podium in every slalom this season, saw that streak end after straddling an open gate late in her run. Last year’s Courchevel night-race winner Zrinka Ljutić (CRO) exited after a major mistake, extending her early-season slalom struggles. Austria’s Katharina Liensberger also failed to finish, adding to the early shake-up.
As the field worked deeper into the start list, the deteriorating surface continued to claim victims. In total, 16 skiers failed to finish out of 67 starters, an unusually high number that reflected both the demanding slope and the changing snow conditions.
North American Snapshot
Paula Moltzan (USA, bib 13) crossed 2.21 seconds back, leaving work to do but holding a solid first-run position considering Shiffrin’s margin. Laurence St-Germain (CAN), the 2023 world champion, followed at +2.77, also remaining in range to move up in the second run.
Further down, Caitlin McFarlane (FRA, bib 27) thrilled the home crowd by skiing into the 13th-fastest time on the first run, continuing her rapid rise in the slalom ranks.
Canada’s Amelia Smart (bib 31) skied consistently to cross +4.06 and secure a place in the top 30.
High Bibs Break Through (Bibs 31 and Higher)
Six skiers starting with bibs 31 or higher advanced to the second run.
High-Bib Qualifiers Point List
- 32 — Estelle Alphand (SWE, 1995) — 17th-fastest first run, +3.12
- 39 — Anuk Brändli (SUI, 2004) — 20th-fastest, +3.60
- 34 — Asa Ando (JPN, 1996) — 22nd-fastest, +3.78
- 54 — Natalie Falch (AUT, 2000) — 23rd-fastest, +3.83
- 31 — Amelia Smart (CAN, 1998) — 26th-fastest, +4.06
- 44 — Bianca Bakke Westhoff (NOR, 2003) — 27th-fastest, +4.09
Fastest of bibs 31+: Bib 32, Estelle Alphand (SWE)
Highest bib to qualify: Bib 54, Natalie Falch (AUT)
Second Run Setup
The second run will be set by Alex Berthold (AUT), with the fastest 30 returning in reverse order. With Shiffrin holding a significant advantage and the surface continuing to break down, those chasing will be forced to attack aggressively, while execution remains the only path forward on a slope that has already proven unforgiving.
First Run Top 30 and Ties
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Run Analysis: Leaders & Qualified North Americans
About the Author: Peter Lange
