A Historic Home Victory
SÖLDEN, Austria — For the first time in nine years, an Austrian woman stood atop a World Cup giant slalom podium. Julia Scheib gave the home crowd the victory they had been waiting for, winning the 2025–26 season opener on the Rettenbach Glacier in front of a sea of red-and-white flags.
Scheib, 26, who earned her first career podium on the same hill last season, skied with composure under pressure to deliver Austria’s first women’s GS win since Eva-Maria Brem’s triumph in Aspen in 2016. Her combined time of 2:16.51 put her 0.60 seconds ahead of Paula Moltzan (USA) and 1.11 seconds clear of Lara Gut-Behrami (SUI).
“It’s unreal,” Scheib said through tears in the finish area. “To win here, at home, is something I’ve dreamed about forever.”
Click images to enlarge
A Race That Built to a Roar
The second run unfolded like a thriller, with the lead changing hands repeatedly as racers attacked the deteriorating course.
Early in the round, Elisabeth Bocock, the 20-year-old from the Stifel U.S. Ski Team, attacked hard and took the early lead, guaranteeing her first World Cup points of the new season. Her confident skiing set the tone for the Americans.
Soon after, AJ Hurt blasted into first with aggressive, fearless skiing. She would later finish 13th overall, moving up five places thanks to the third-fastest second run.
Then came Nina O’Brien, skiing with perfect timing and determination. Her rhythm and risk paid off — she posted the fastest second run of the day and soared nine places, from 15th to sixth, the biggest improvement by any racer in the field.
The energy kept building. With every skier down, the finish crowd grew louder — and the lead changed hands again and again.
Moltzan Leads American Charge
Just before Scheib’s winning run, Paula Moltzan delivered one of her best performances in giant slalom. Her clean, powerful skiing through the steep middle section gave her a 0.53-second lead over Gut-Behrami and secured her second career World Cup GS podium, improving on her third-place result last season.
Moltzan’s run ranked second fastest behind O’Brien’s, underscoring a commanding start for the Stifel U.S. Ski Team.
“Julia’s first run was flawless,” said Paula Moltzan, who finished second. “I tried to match that kind of skiing in my second run just to stay in the fight. I brought some time back, so I’m really happy with it. Winning that World Championship bronze in GS last season kind of kickstarted my confidence — it reminded me that I do belong here, and I can compete with the best.”
Shiffrin Back in Form, Gut-Behrami Strong Again
Mikaela Shiffrin, the winningest women’s GS skier in history, looked comfortable and focused after a preseason marked by caution. She moved up two spots to finish fourth, just 0.31 seconds off the podium, showing the power and balance that have defined her career.
“I’m super happy,” said Mikaela Shiffrin, who finished fourth. “After how last season ended and the waiting game this summer, I just wanted to feel connected again — mind, body, and race nerves all in sync. Today felt like that. I was so nervous all week, but once I got in the start, everything clicked. My second run especially, I could finally relax and let the course take me.”
“Last year I was sixth here and felt like I should’ve done better. This year I’m fourth and over the moon. It’s a huge step — there’s still work to do, but it’s exciting to start the season like this. Paula and Julia skied incredibly, and watching our team perform the way we did today makes me really proud.”
Lara Gut-Behrami, in her final World Cup season, showed her trademark precision. Already a three-time Sölden winner, she gained two positions to finish third, claiming her fifth podium at the venue.
Movers in the Second Run
The second run reshaped the leaderboard and rewarded those who attacked at the limit.
- Nina O’Brien (USA) — gained nine places (15th → 6th), fastest second run.
- AJ Hurt (USA) — up five (18th → 13th), third-fastest run.
- Elisabeth Bocock (USA) — up five (24th → 19th), fifth-fastest run.
- Mikaela Shiffrin (USA) — up two (6th → 4th), seventh-fastest run.
- Paula Moltzan (USA) — Level (2nd → 2nd), second-fastest run.
- Valérie Grenier (CAN) — down one (10th → 11th).
- Katie Hensien (USA) — down three (9th → 12th).
- Britt Richardson (CAN) — slipped three (17th → 20th).
All eight North American racers finished inside the top 20, a remarkable collective result for the opening race of the Olympic season.
U.S. Women Reflect on a Strong Start
The Stifel U.S. Ski Team left Sölden with confidence and momentum after placing three racers in the top six and all six second-run starters inside the top 20. Their post-race reactions reflected excitement, gratitude, and belief in what’s ahead.
Nina O’Brien
“I really wanted to push myself and go for it, and I feel like I did that,” said Nina O’Brien, who produced the fastest second-run time to finish sixth overall. “My teammate told me I could really send it on the bottom, so I tried — and it worked. Our team is killing it right now, and I’m so excited to see how we can keep this momentum going.”
AJ Hurt
“I always struggle a bit at this race, so it feels really good to finally put one together,” said AJ Hurt, who climbed five places to finish 13th. “I found my rhythm at the bottom, and that’s such an important part of this hill. It’s a great way to start the season.”
Katie Hensien
“I’m happy to start the season with another solid two-run day,” said Katie Hensien, who finished 12th. “It looks like we really like it here — the whole team skied great, and it’s awesome to be part of such a stacked group. Now it’s time to switch to slalom, and I’m excited for Levi.”
Elisabeth Bocock
“I’m super excited — it’s such a great day for the whole American crew,” said Elisabeth Bocock, who earned her first World Cup points of the season. “It was my first time sitting in the leader’s chair, which was really cool. My plan was to ski smart in the first run and then send it harder in the second. It’s so fun to be part of such a strong team — we keep pushing each other, and it makes every good result even more exciting.”
Scheib Delivers for Austria
When Scheib pushed out of the start gate, the crowd’s anticipation was deafening. The Austrians had seen the lead swap repeatedly — from Bocock to Hurt, O’Brien, Stjernesund, Shiffrin, Gut-Behrami, and finally Moltzan.
Scheib’s run wasn’t the cleanest, but it was courageous. Despite posting only the 13th-fastest second-run time, she carried just enough from her first-run lead to win by 0.60 seconds, ending Austria’s 79-race winless streak in women’s giant slalom.
The home fans erupted in celebration as Scheib delivered what felt like the start of a new era for Austrian women’s skiing.
“I was so relieved when I crossed the finish and saw the green light,” said Scheib, beaming after her first career World Cup victory. “Winning my first race here in front of the home crowd is just awesome. I’m so happy — we’ll celebrate this together. It’s been a long time for Austria in giant slalom, and to be the one to end that streak makes it even more special.”
A Great Day for the Stifel U.S. Ski Team
The Americans dominated the second run, placing three racers in the top six overall — Moltzan second, Shiffrin fourth, and O’Brien sixth — and all five starters inside the top 20.
Their second-run speed confirmed their strength:
- 1st – O’Brien
- 2nd – Moltzan
- 3rd – Hurt
- 5th – Bocock
- 7th – Shiffrin
It was one of the most complete team performances in recent memory — a statement of depth, belief, and early-season form from the Stifel U.S. Ski Team.
Canadian Consistency in Sölden
Canada also opened the season with encouraging form. Valérie Grenier, the nation’s giant slalom leader, finished 11th, holding her place among the world’s best despite losing time in the middle sectors. Teammate Britt Richardson delivered another steady effort, taking 20th after qualifying comfortably for the second run.
A Day to Remember
From Julia Scheib’s emotional home victory to the U.S. team’s dominant showing, Sölden once again proved why it’s the sport’s most thrilling opener.
For Scheib, it was a dream realized nine years in the making.
For Moltzan, Shiffrin, O’Brien, and the North Americans, it was proof they are ready to challenge every podium this season.
The 2025-26 World Cup season has only just begun — and the bar is already set high.
Race Results
Click images to enlarge
Second Run Analysis: Top Three and Other North Americans
About the Author: Peter Lange
