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Petra Vlhová, one of Alpine skiing’s brightest stars and Mikaela Shiffrin’s fiercest rival, will miss the 2025 World Championships in Saalbach as she continues her recovery from a serious knee injury sustained last season. Despite positive progress in her rehabilitation, Vlhová and her coach, Mauro Pini, confirmed she is not yet ready to compete for medals. The Slovakian champion is now setting her sights on the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina.

Norway dominated the Wengen slalom with a stunning podium sweep, led by Atle Lie McGrath, who claimed his first victory of the season. Teammates Henrik Kristoffersen and Timon Haugen completed the historic achievement, showcasing Norway's strength in the discipline.

The Cortina super-G was an exciting day full of emotion. Italian, Federica Brignone achieves her first victory in Cortina. Lara Gut-Behrami earns 2nd and Corinne Suter 3rd. Lindsey Vonn goes out, but was in contention for a top result.

Ester Ledecka, the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic champion in both super-G skiing and snowboard parallel giant slalom, faces a tough decision for Milan-Cortina 2026. With conflicting schedules for the women’s downhill and her premier snowboard event, Ledecka is pushing for an Olympic schedule change to compete in both sports. Supported by the Czech Olympic Committee, she remains hopeful, saying, “I’m fighting for this and still believe it’s possible.”

Norway dominated the first run of the Wengen slalom as Atle Lie McGrath led the field with an impressive performance, followed by teammate and season leader Henrik Kristoffersen in second, 0.43 seconds behind. Swiss fans had plenty to cheer about on home soil, with Daniel Yule initially holding third before Tanguy Nef surged ahead, pushing Yule to fourth. Benjamin Ritchie of the Stifel U.S. Ski Team impressed as the only North American to qualify for the second run, finishing eighth. Meanwhile, late starters faced tough odds, with only three skiers outside the top 30 advancing, including Belgium’s Sam Maes and Germany’s Anton Tremmel.

Vincent Kriechmayr, Austria's top speed skier, strained his medial ligament in a high-speed crash at Wengen's Lauberhorn downhill. With Kitzbühel ruled out, his participation in the Saalbach World Championships hangs in the balance.

The 2025 Lauberhorn downhill delivered unforgettable drama under perfect conditions on one of Alpine skiing’s most iconic tracks. Marco Odermatt led a Swiss one-two finish, setting a new course record and securing his second Wengen downhill victory, with teammate Franjo Von Allmen taking second and Slovenia’s Miha Hrobat rounding out the podium. North Americans also impressed, with four racers finishing in the top 10, led by Canada’s Cameron Alexander in fifth and Bryce Bennett in sixth. The day’s action included spectacular performances, a mid-race delay due to a crash, and the electrifying roar of the Wengen crowd celebrating the sport’s best on this legendary stage.

The Lauberhorn Downhill in Wengen, Switzerland, is the longest and most grueling race on the World Cup circuit, testing racers’ endurance over its 4.5-kilometer course. Known for breathtaking views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountains, this iconic race features extreme challenges like the 87% incline “Hundschopf” jump and speeds exceeding 160 km/h on the “Haneggschuss” straight. With the first men’s downhill of 2025 set for January 18, fans can expect intense competition as Swiss racers aim to maintain their dominance while North American athletes, led by Cochran-Siegle and Alexander, look to make their mark.

The Olympia delle Tofane: A Stage Set for Drama The Olympia delle Tofane in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, will host the Women’s World Cup downhill on January 18, 2025, offering a thrilling blend of speed, precision, and history. With Lindsey Vonn’s much-anticipated return and a field of competitors ranging from rising stars to seasoned veterans, this iconic course promises high stakes and unforgettable moments. As a preview for next season’s Olympic downhill, the race also carries added significance. Don’t miss the action as 54 athletes from 14 nations tackle one of Alpine skiing’s most legendary tracks.

Franjo Von Allmen, a 23-year-old Swiss rising star, earned his first World Cup victory in the Wengen Super-G. With a near-flawless run on the iconic Lauberhorn, he thrilled the home crowd and showcased his potential among ski racing’s elite.

At 34 years old, Federica Brignone claimed her first-ever World Cup downhill win in St. Anton, becoming the oldest woman to achieve this feat. Swiss rookie Malorie Blanc stunned the field, skiing into second place from bib 46, just 0.07 seconds behind Brignone. Lindsey Vonn, in her highly anticipated return, finished sixth, only 0.58 seconds back, leading a strong U.S. team performance with Lauren Macuga in ninth and Breezy Johnson in 11th.

The Karl Schranz downhill course in St. Anton am Arlberg, Austria, will host the first Women’s World Cup downhill of 2025, featuring elite athletes from around the globe. With a storied history and technical challenges, this iconic venue sets the stage for a thrilling competition. Among the racers, Lindsey Vonn makes her much-anticipated downhill return, joining a strong field that includes Austria's Cornelia Huetter, Italy's Sofia Goggia, and the rising talent of the Stifel U.S. Ski Team led by Lauren Macuga.

"Are Skiers Training All Wrong?"

Alpine skiing is at a breaking point. Four severe injuries in Bormio during New Year’s week have reignited debates about the sport’s safety, and Swiss legend Paul Accola isn’t holding back. “Many athletes train incorrectly,” he declared in an interview with Blick.ch. With seven World Cup victories and a reputation for unconventional thinking, Accola is challenging the modern approach to training and youth development, claiming it leaves skiers vulnerable to injuries and unprepared for the unpredictable demands of racing. His bold critiques, grounded in his own storied career, demand attention—and may spark the change alpine skiing desperately needs.

Mikaela Shiffrin recently shared a positive update on her recovery journey following her injury in Killington. In an Instagram post, she revealed three milestones: "I can laugh, I could start driving this week, and my abs are starting to come back." While her progress is encouraging, the timeline for her return to the World Cup remains uncertain, leaving fans eager for more news.

After a devastating crash in Bormio, Cyprien Sarrazin faces a challenging road to recovery. With head injuries impacting his daily life, hope remains as he begins a long rehabilitation journey.

Zrinka Ljutic delivered a stunning performance in the Kranjska Gora slalom, claiming her second consecutive World Cup win. The young Croatian edged out Swiss veteran Wendy Holdener by 0.16 seconds, with Sweden’s Anna Swenn Larsson rounding out the podium. The dramatic second run saw multiple lead changes, with Holdener briefly taking the top spot before Ljutic’s composed and precise skiing sealed the victory.

Despite the absence of Petra Vlhová, Mikaela Shiffrin, and Laurence St-Germain due to injuries, Sunday’s World Cup slalom in Kranjska Gora delivered thrilling performances. Croatian standout Zrinka Ljutic and Swiss veteran Wendy Holdener tied for the lead after the first run, with the top five skiers separated by just 0.78 seconds. Germany’s Lena Dürr shocked fans with an early exit, while rising talents like Melanie Meillard and Emma Aicher seized the spotlight. Switzerland showcased depth with seven qualifiers for the second run, while Canada struggled, failing to advance any racers.

Lara Gut-Behrami is on the brink of making Alpine skiing history as she aims to become the first woman to win at least 10 World Cup races in three disciplines. Competing in Kranjska Gora on January 4, she has a chance to join legends Hermann Maier and Pirmin Zurbriggen in this exclusive club. However, with stiff competition on the challenging Gran Podkoren slope, the achievement is anything but guaranteed.