Featured Image: Mikaela Shiffrin in the sled after crash in Killington. Credit: GEPA
Shiffrin’s Historic Bid Ends in the Fences
As the afternoon Stifel Killington Cup GS run began, all eyes were on Mikaela Shiffrin. Fans wondered if she could achieve her historic 100th career World Cup victory, but the day took an unexpected turn.
With Sweden’s Sara Hector leading and Croatia’s Zrinka Ljutic in second, Shiffrin had the chance to deliver a dramatic finale. However, her run came to an abrupt end when she fell on the steep pitch, sliding hard into the safety netting. The crowd fell silent, anxiously awaiting updates. Shiffrin required a rescue sled to reach the bottom and was transported to the hospital for further evaluation.
Shiffrin’s fall paved the way for Hector to secure a commanding victory, her first win of the season. Ljutic claimed second place, earning the first GS podium of her career, while Switzerland’s Camille Rast finished third. Rast’s podium marked her second consecutive top-three finish and her first in GS, following her career breakthrough last weekend in Gürgl with a third-place slalom result.
Shiffrin’s Historic Bid Ends in the Fences
As the afternoon Stifel Killington Cup GS run began, all eyes were on Mikaela Shiffrin. Fans wondered if she could achieve her historic 100th career World Cup victory, but the day took an unexpected turn.
With Sweden’s Sara Hector leading and Croatia’s Zrinka Ljutic in second, Shiffrin had the chance to deliver a dramatic finale. However, her run came to an abrupt end when she fell on the steep pitch, sliding hard into the safety netting. The crowd fell silent, anxiously awaiting updates. Shiffrin required a rescue sled to reach the bottom and was transported to the hospital for further evaluation.
Shiffrin’s fall paved the way for Hector to secure a commanding victory, her first win of the season. Ljutic claimed second place, earning the first GS podium of her career, while Switzerland’s Camille Rast finished third. Rast’s podium marked her second consecutive top-three finish and her first in GS, following her career breakthrough last weekend in Gürgl with a third-place slalom result.
Hector Triumphs Amid Mixed Emotions
Shiffrin’s fall paved the way for Hector to secure a commanding victory, her first win of the season. Ljutic claimed second place, earning the first GS podium of her career, while Switzerland’s Camille Rast finished third. Rast’s podium marked her second consecutive top-three finish and her first in GS, following her career breakthrough last weekend in Gürgl with a third-place slalom result.
After the race, Sara Hector, who delivered the fastest second run, expressed her joy and mixed emotions. “This is my sixth World Cup win, and to have it happen here in Killington is amazing,” Hector said. “I’ve had a tough start to the season, doubting myself a bit, so to stand here now feels incredible. But it’s heartbreaking to see Mikaela crash like that, especially when she was skiing so well. She’s obviously the strongest skier in history, and we all know she’ll come back stronger. Still, I’m so proud of my skiing today and grateful for this incredible crowd. Killington is such a special place, and I’m thrilled to share this moment with everyone here.”
New Faces Shine on the Podium
Hector also celebrated the emergence of new talent, noting the significance of first GS podiums for both Camille Rast and Zrinka Ljutic. “It’s exciting to see so much talent emerging, and I’m just so proud to be part of it,” she said.
Rast Reflects on Success and Shiffrin’s Crash
Camille Rast, like many in the finish area, was deeply affected by Shiffrin’s crash after the second run. “I was down (in the finish area), looking at Mikaela and (thinking), ‘OK, fourth place again and it’s fine in GS,’” Rast said. “I hope she is hurt not so bad, but it doesn’t look good. I hope she will be back soon.”
Despite the somber moment, Rast celebrated her unexpected success. “I love the spirit here. It’s really nice that the people are coming, and it pushed me to the next step,” she said. “It’s quite crazy. I didn’t expect that in GS. I am really happy. I did a good job this summer. I am happy about the progress.” next step,” she said. “It’s quite crazy. I didn’t expect that in GS. I am really happy. I did a good job this summer. I am happy about the progress.”
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Moltzan and O’Brien Lead the U.S. Effort
Paula Moltzan of the Stifel U.S. Ski Team delivered a strong second run, holding the lead with five racers to go. Sitting 0.24 seconds ahead of her teammate Nina O’Brien, Moltzan was in position to chase her first World Cup GS podium. However, she was bumped from contention by, the fourth-fastest skier of the morning, who posted a blistering second run.
Switzerland’s Camille Rast followed with a solid performance, crossing the line in second and leaving the top three skiers from the first run to determine the final standings.
The Final Three Deliver
Norway’s Thea Louise Stjernesund, the first of the top three to ski, struggled in the lower section and finished third, officially ending Moltzan’s podium hopes. Hector then delivered a precise and confident run to take the lead.
With Shiffrin the final racer on course, anticipation remained high, but her fall confirmed Hector’s victory. Ljutic and Rast completed the podium, solidifying Rast’s strong start to the season.
North American Highlights
Paula Moltzan finished fifth, continuing her impressive early-season form, while Nina O’Brien placed sixth, a strong result in her comeback season after injury. Valerie Grenier of Canada marked her return with a ninth-place finish, while Katie Hensien climbed eight spots in the second run to her second-best GS result in 13th.
Elisabeth Bocock, an emerging talent for the U.S., stunned the field with an eighth-place finish in the first run. Though she struggled in the middle section during her second run, Bocock scored her first World Cup points, finishing 23rd.
Strong Performances From the Morning
After the first ten racers completed their second runs, Switzerland’s Wendy Holdener led by 0.03 seconds over Katie Hensien. Italy’s Asja Zenere climbed 11 positions with a strong effort, demonstrating how early racers could shake up the standings.
By the time 15 racers had finished, Slovenia’s Neja Dvornik led by 1.01 seconds. Holdener and Hensien were second and third, respectively, but their positions shifted as faster racers completed their runs. Holdener ultimately finished 12th after moving up 10 positions in the afternoon, while Hensien climbed eight places to finish 13th.
O’Brien’s Resilience and Grenier’s Comeback
Nina O’Brien, tenth after the first run, crossed the line with a 0.07-second lead over Dvornik to secure a sixth-place finish. Her result underscored her strength and determination after missing last season due to injury.
Valerie Grenier skied with confidence in her return to World Cup competition, finishing ninth. Britt Richardson of Alpine Canada Alpin scored points in 27th, despite grip challenges in both runs.
Results: Analysis Top Three Finishers and North Americans in the Second Run
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Analysis Top Three Finishers and North Americans in the Second Run
Related stories: Shiffrin Leads in Hunt for 100th Win as USA’s Bocock Stuns with Top-10 Run at Killington GS
Mikaela Shiffrin Speaks Out on Killington GS Crash from Hospital Bed
About the Author: Peter Lange
