Podium finishers / GEPA pictures
Tactical Brilliance and a Full-Gas Finish Lift Scheib to Win
What an exciting race today! It was the first Giant Slalom event this season that gave me actual butterflies watching the women compete. Perhaps it was all the coffee, or maybe it was the impressive second runs from much of the field on a bumpy, injected surface with little room for error.
Julia Scheib (AUT) claimed the victory, finishing 0.63 seconds ahead of Camille Rast. Her second run was a masterclass in tactical skiing. Knowing she “needed to commit to the bottom with tons of time to make up,” Scheib attacked the top flats at full gas, skied clean and strong through the middle section, and made up crucial time at the bottom.
“I never thought it would be the win. It was so tough. It was so bumpy and I was so relieved when I came into the finish,” Scheib said. The result secured her third giant slalom win of the season and her fourth podium overall.
For context, Scheib had only one podium in 45 World Cup GS races from her debut in 2017/18 through the end of 2024/25. In stark contrast, the first four GS races of 2025/26 have already produced two wins and a second-place finish for her. With this victory, she moves ahead of Alice Robinson in the GS overall World Cup ranking. Last year at Semmering, Julia finished sixth, making today’s win even sweeter.
Rast and Hector Round Out the Semmering Podium
Camille Rast (SUI) left the start with determination, aiming to climb onto the podium after finishing fifth in the first run. She delivered a powerful second run, skiing aggressively and cleanly through the course, refusing to let the bumps dictate her line. Her grit paid off, moving her into second overall behind Julia Scheib by 0.14 seconds. “A bit more now,” said Rast, reflecting on her feelings about Semmering after securing Switzerland’s 500th World Cup Giant Slalom podium across women’s and men’s alpine skiing.
“It’s nice to finish the year in GS on the podium. I was really close in Tremblant with two fourth-place finishes, and I tried to give my best today, and it worked.”- Camille Rast
Sara Hector (SWE) claimed third, maintaining a spot on the podium, just 0.40 seconds behind Scheib. Her second run was less aggressive through the chattered sections, and a few small bobbles caused her to lose the lead she held after the first run. While not her strongest second run, Hector can take satisfaction in another podium finish and the valuable points it adds toward her GS World Cup standings.
“I could have been a little bit better on my outside ski,” Hector admitted, though she remains positive heading into the defense of her Olympic title in February. “I think I’m on a pretty good roll. I still have work left, but I’m excited to do this.” – Sara Hector
Bold Moves and Dramatic Exits Shake Up Run Two
Nina Astner (AUT) stole the show in the second run, putting down the most impressive run of the day. Starting 30th, she used flip 30 to her advantage and won the run by 0.48 seconds over Camille Rast, climbing 18 positions to finish 12th overall. Last season’s Europa Cup GS winner has been consistently breaking into the World Cup top 30, but today she shone on a challenging, bumpy course.
Lara Colturi (ALB), who was sitting third after the first run and in contention for the podium, suffered an early DNF in her second run. She slipped inside on the flats and couldn’t recover, abruptly ending what had been a strong day.
Paula Moltzan (USA) was looking to put together one of her signature second-run comebacks when, in a right-footer turn, she lost her outside ski in the rough conditions. Her momentum shifted onto her inside ski, causing her to highside into a tumble and land on her back. Known for her toughness, she walked away from the crash but appeared sore afterward, a testament to the physical demands of Semmering’s tricky course.
Maryna Gasienica-Daniel (POL) put together a flawless second run, standing out among the field. She posted the third-fastest run overall, navigating the bumpy and dark conditions with exceptional precision. Staying compact, connected, and in control, she rolled through the terrain effortlessly, maintaining speed while many others struggled. Her performance earned her a strong fifth-place finish, a solid way to close out the first half of the season.
North Americans Shine and Build Momentum at Semmering
Valérie Grenier (CAN) was the standout among North Americans today, finishing fourth overall and putting down the fourth-fastest second run on a bumpy, dark track. She skied tactically smart, maintaining excellent speed and making precise line choices, an improvement from past GS races where she has sometimes cut lines too aggressively. Her performance today should give her plenty of confidence heading into the new year.
AJ Hurt (USA) made a solid return to the World Cup circuit after time away recovering from a hip injury, finishing 21st. This was a promising start as she works to regain her full speed, and we look forward to seeing her continue to improve.
Mikaela Shiffrin finished eighth today, moving up two spots on her second run. The bumpy, dark track clearly tested her nerves.
“It was very bumpy, and it’s always dark here because the course stays in the shadow. That makes it especially challenging, because you really have to trust what you’re doing without seeing everything clearly,” Shiffrin said.
Fueled by a couple of gummy bears at the start from her physio, she adjusted her mindset and calmed her nerves. “I changed my mentality in the second run and just tried to be as smooth and soft on the surface as possible. It wasn’t the most powerful or fastest skiing, but it felt much more manageable,” she explained.
Shiffrin admitted she had some fear going into the run. “I was really quite scared, actually. I knew how bumpy it would be, and after the first run I didn’t feel confident that I could tackle it again. When I got to the finish, I thought, ‘Okay, I could do that again.’ For me, that was a big step today.”
Though it wasn’t her typical all-out, aggressively connected skiing, Shiffrin stayed composed and tactically smart, managing the course effectively and fighting through her nerves. “I love watching that kind of skiing — when someone really takes on the final pitch and carries the speed all the way through. It’s exciting, and it shows the level you have to reach,” she said. A strong, impressive performance from the veteran under tough conditions.
Britt Richardson (CAN) finished 11th after a few mistakes through the bumps, dropping one spot from her first run. She has the speed and skill to compete with the best, and with a cleaner, more aggressive line in the next GS race, she has every chance to move up the standings and make her presence felt.
Justine Lamontagne (CAN) scored her first World Cup GS points today, finishing 26th today. The Montana State athlete demonstrated she belongs in the top 30 and can compete with the field, leaving the course with a huge confidence boost heading into the rest of the season.
What’s Next on the Women’s GS Circuit
Next, the Women’s Giant Slalom tour heads to Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, in the new year. Alice Robinson will be looking to redeem herself, while Julia Scheib aims to carry her momentum into 2026. And what about Federica Brignone? Rumor has it she’s been spotted skiing gates… but will she be back in time to shake up the standings? The suspense builds. The excitement kicks off on January 3rd, and with each passing day, we get closer to the Olympics.
Race Results
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Second Run Analysis: Top Three and Other Top 30 North Americans
About the Author: Katie Twible
