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Valerie Grenier saved her best for last. On the biggest stage of the season, the Canadian delivered a commanding second run to capture victory at the World Cup Finals in Hafjell, sealing an incredible finish to her season.
With confidence, tactical precision, and relentless speed, Grenier surged to the win by 0.43, separating herself from the field in a race where every hundredth mattered. When it counted most, she rose above the pressure and put down a performance that not only secured the victory, but stamped her place among the world’s elite in giant slalom.
Top 5 Today
- 1st 🇨🇦 Valerie Grenier (CAN), Bib 15 — 2:16.79
- 2nd 🇳🇴 Mina Fuerst Holtmann (NOR), Bib 20 — +0.43
- 3rd 🇦🇹 Julia Scheib (AUT), Bib 5 — +0.57
- 4th 🇸🇪 Sara Hector (SWE), Bib 3 — +0.74
- 5th 🇦🇹 Stephanie Brunner (AUT), Bib 18 — +1.24
Grenier Delivers Under Pressure
Leading after the first run, Valerie Grenier skied like there was no pressure at all. From the opening gates, she was strong and composed, finding a clean rhythm immediately and adapting beautifully to the softer, salted snow. With a light touch and complete connection to the surface, she carried speed effortlessly while staying precise through every section.
It was confident and powerful skiing from top to bottom. Grenier attacked when she needed to, but never overreached, maintaining her line and speed while others faltered. She effectively shut the door on the field, holding her advantage and building on it when it mattered most.
A sensational performance secured the victory, marking a huge day for Grenier. She put Alpine Canada on her back and delivered when it counted, finishing the season on a high note for her country and establishing herself firmly among the best in the world.
“I feel amazing, very happy and relieved. The course really suited me today with more space, and I love that spring snow. It’s fun to ski on, and I think that made the difference. Ending the season like this gives me a lot of confidence going into next year.” — Valerie Grenier on her win in Hafjell to Bente Bjørnsen Sherlock in the finish
Holtmann Shines with Career Performance
Mina Fuerst Holtmann delivered when it mattered most, putting together a brilliant performance to finish 2nd in the final race, highlighted by the fastest second run of the day. Confident and composed on a hill she clearly trusts, Holtmann skied with a gentle touch and strong connection to the snow, flowing through the terrain with control and speed. It was the kind of skiing that reminds everyone just how much talent she has in giant slalom.
What made the moment even more powerful was the emotion at the finish. Watching her teammate Thea Louise Stjernesund celebrate, overcome with emotion, captured the essence of the sport. While skiing is individual, the shared journey, the struggles, and the breakthroughs are felt as a team.
After a season of ups and downs, Holtmann stayed patient, trusted her process, and found her way back. This result is a testament to that resilience, and a huge statement to close out her season.
“She’s in a really good place right now. She’s happy, and happy girls ski fast. To see her put down a performance like that today, especially in the second run, is really impressive.” — Head Women’s Coach, Tim Gfeller on Mina Fuerst Holtmann’s 2nd place finish in a finish area interview with Bente Bjørnsen Sherlock
“I’m really happy with both runs. I felt like I executed well, kept my nerves in check, and stayed focused on the right things. To finish like this gives me a lot of confidence and motivation going into next season.” — Mina Fuerst Holtmann on her 2nd place finish in the finish with Bente Bjørnsen Sherlock
Scheib Secures the Globe in Style
Julia Scheib delivered another strong performance, taking 3rd place today and officially securing the Giant Slalom Overall Globe for the season. While it was not the top step of the podium, it was more than enough to cap off an incredibly consistent and successful year.
Scheib skied with intent and precision, showing great attack from the start. Her skiing was clean and connected, rolling the skis up beautifully and carrying strong speed through the mid section where she needed it most. It was powerful, controlled, and a true reflection of the form that has defined her season.
She may not have had quite the speed to take the win today, but the bigger prize belongs to her. The GS Globe is the reward for a season of consistency, and Scheib proved she was the one to beat all year long.
Final GS Globe Standings
- 1st 🇦🇹 Julia Scheib (AUT) — 720 pts
- 2nd 🇨🇭 Camille Rast (SUI) — 511 pts
- 3rd 🇸🇪 Sara Hector (SWE) — 479 pts
- 4th 🇺🇸 Mikaela Shiffrin (USA) — 422 pts
- 5th 🇳🇿 Alice Robinson (NZL) — 408 pts
Shiffrin Secures the Overall Globe
The battle for the Overall Globe came down to the final run, and Mikaela Shiffrin delivered exactly what she needed. Finishing 11th on the day, she locked in the points required to secure the Overall World Cup title, capping off yet another remarkable season.
After sitting 17th following the first run, Shiffrin came out in the second run with a completely different approach. There was urgency, intent, and purpose in every turn. She attacked the course with a much cleaner, more direct line, no longer high and round, but charging into the apex and skiing with precision. It was calm, controlled, and calculated, exactly what the moment required.
As she crossed the line and saw the green light, it was clear she had done enough. A strong bottom section sealed the result, and with it, the globe. It was an inspiring performance under pressure, a reminder of her ability to rise when it matters most, and a fitting way to secure another Overall title.
“This means everything. It’s a whole season of work and fighting with my team, and I’m really grateful to be in this position. Emma has been skiing incredibly all season, and watching her today, especially in the first run, was amazing. I think it just shows that anything is possible in ski racing, and I’m really grateful for that fight.” — Mikaela Shiffrin on winning the Overall Globe
Aicher’s Breakthrough Season
Emma Aicher may have come up short in the fight for the Overall Globe, but what she delivered this season was nothing short of remarkable. Pushing Mikaela Shiffrin all the way to the final race, Aicher proved she belongs at the very top of the sport. While she did not have the result she was looking for on the day, her skiing throughout the season showed massive progression and confidence.
“It’s been really fun to challenge Mikaela to the very last race… I’m really proud of myself. I’ve learned a lot this season and I think it’s made me better, both skiing wise and mentally,” Aicher said to Bente Bjørnsen Sherlock in a finish line interview
From being seconds back earlier in the season to consistently fighting for podiums and wins, Aicher’s rise has been one of the biggest stories of the year. She may have lost the globe today, but this was a breakthrough season, and it feels like just the beginning of what is to come.
🇺🇸 Stifel U.S. Ski Team – Women’s GS Final Results
8th 🇺🇸 Nina O’Brien (USA), Bib 13
— Finishes 10th in GS season standings
11th 🇺🇸 Mikaela Shiffrin (USA), Bib 7
— Secures the Overall World Cup Globe
18th 🇺🇸 A.J. Hurt (USA), Bib 21
— Finishes 22nd in GS season standings
25th 🇺🇸 Paula Moltzan (USA), Bib 6
— 2nd fastest run, finishes 6th in GS season standings
Nina O’Brien capped off a strong season with another exciting performance, finishing 10th in the overall GS standings. She came out fast and aggressive, extending her advantage right from the start with powerful, attacking skiing through the middle section. Charging in classic Nina fashion, she held the green light deep into the run before just missing it by 0.01, slotting into second at the time. It was a thrilling run and a strong statement to close her season.
“It was a solid season. I’ve had a lot of good runs and some good races that showed me I can be right there with the top group. I’m not totally satisfied because I know I can put together two full, free runs, but that’s really motivating heading into next season.” — Nina O’Brien on her season in a finish area interview with Ski Racing Media’s Bente Bjørnsen Sherlock
It also marks the end of an era, her longtime technician Bart Mollin, who has worked with the U.S. women for eight years, announced he will step away to return to running his family indoor ski facility in Belgium. A huge thank you to him for the impact he has had on this team.
A.J. Hurt showed her trademark aggression out of the start but struggled to keep things as clean as needed. A bit too round and high in the middle section forced her low and late, costing her speed she could not regain.
Paula Moltzan delivered one of the standout second runs of the day. Attacking with confidence, she showed much better flow and connection to the terrain, carrying speed all the way to the finish. She laid down the second fastest run, proving her ability to compete at the very top when she puts two runs together, and finishes the season ranked 6th in GS standings.
🇨🇦 Canada
Britt Richardson put together a solid second run, showing clear improvements in her execution, especially over the rollers where she carried better speed and control. Her split times reflected that progress, as she stayed competitive through key sections of the course.
However, a line that was just a bit too tight over the final knoll cost her valuable momentum. She lost speed heading into the bottom section and could not recover enough time before the finish. Richardson ultimately crossed the line in 20th place, a result that shows both her potential and the fine margins required at this level.
“It was fun racing here, my first time in Norway, which was really cool. I made some mistakes so it wasn’t the result I wanted, but it was still a fun day, and I’m so happy for my teammate to get the win.” — Britt Richardson on her race in Hafjell
- 20th🇨🇦 Britt Richardson (CAN), Bib 11— +2.68
Run Two Takeaways
Alice Robinson made a strong statement in the second run, charging up the leaderboard to finish 7th overall. Building momentum at the end of the season, she skied with confidence and intent, taking a much more direct line and staying well connected to the snow throughout the run. With a green light at the finish and a clean, composed performance, Robinson moved up six spots and showed she is finding her form again at the right time.
Seventeen year old Anna Trocker continues to impress against the world’s best, finishing 8th and tied with Nina O’Brien. Still racing as a junior, Trocker showed maturity and confidence beyond her years. While her second run lacked a bit of the attack seen from Robinson, she stayed composed and closed strong on the bottom section, finishing just 0.01 behind. Another standout result for the young Italian, proving she belongs among the top and that her future is incredibly bright.
Season Wrap Up
As the curtain falls on the women’s World Cup season, it is the Stifel U.S. Ski Team standing tall, capturing the Nations Cup and showcasing depth, consistency, and resilience from start to finish. From Mikaela Shiffrin securing another Overall Globe to breakthrough performances, comeback runs, and rising young talent making their mark, this season delivered everything the sport has to offer.
Across the tour, we saw new names emerge, veterans return to form, and tight battles that came down to the final run. From Grenier’s statement win in Hafjell to Aicher’s rise and the next generation like Trocker pushing into the spotlight, the level continues to rise.
It has been a season defined by grit, growth, and unforgettable moments. And as the athletes head into the offseason, one thing is clear. The future of women’s ski racing is as strong, competitive, and exciting as ever.
Race Results
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Race Analysis: Top Three and North Americans
About the Author: Katie Twible
