Federica Brigone: GEPA Pictures
Women’s World Cup GS: Who’s Racing, When, and How to Watch
Sestriere Set for Another GS Showdown
The FIS Alpine Ski World Cup returns to Sestriere for the second of back-to-back giant slalom races, following an intense opening competition that saw Federica Brignone claim her third win of the season. With only three GS races remaining after this event, the battle for the Crystal Globe is heating up.
Alice Robinson, Sara Hector, and Brignone remain locked in a tight race for the season title, while Thea Louise Stjernesund’s recent third-place finish in Sestriere Race 1 has made her a serious podium contender. With momentum shifting and critical World Cup points on the line, the second Sestriere GS promises another thrilling fight on one of Italy’s most historic courses.
Who’s Earning Podiums This Season?
The 2024-25 World Cup giant slalom season has been a fierce battle among Italy’s Federica Brignone, Sweden’s Sara Hector, and New Zealand’s Alice Robinson. Brignone has secured three wins, including victories in Sölden, Semmering, and Sestriere Race 1, cementing her position as a top contender for the Crystal Globe. Hector has also been a dominant force, winning in Killington and Kranjska Gora while adding another podium finish.
Robinson has been a consistent podium finisher, standing on five GS podiums this season, including her first win of the season in Kronplatz. Norway’s Thea Louise Stjernesund became the newest skier to break into the top three, finishing third in the first Sestriere race.
This season, other skiers making podium appearances include Switzerland’s Lara Gut-Behrami, the United States’ Paula Moltzan, Croatia’s Zrinka Ljutić, Albania’s Lara Colturi, and Austria’s Julia Scheib.
The second Sestriere GS on Saturday continues the weekend’s technical events and marks the seventh giant slalom race of the season. Including tomorrow’s race, only three GS events remain before the Crystal Globe is awarded. With Brignone, Hector, and Robinson all in top form, the fight for the title remains wide open, setting the stage for another thrilling showdown.
World Cup GS Podiums This Season
| Event / Race | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sölden, Austria, Rettenbach Glacier | Federica Brignone (ITA) | Alice Robinson (NZL) | Julia Scheib (AUT) |
| Killington, USA, Superstar | Sara Hector (SWE) | Zrinka Ljutic (CRO) | Camille Rast (SUI) |
| Semmering, AUT, Panorama | Federica Brignone (ITA) | Sara Hector (SWE) | Alice Robinson (NZL) |
| Kranjska Gora, Slovenia | Sara Hector (SWE) | Lara Colturi (ALB) | Alice Robinson (NZL) |
| Kronplatz, Italy | Alice Robinson (NZL) | Lara Gut-Behrami (SUI) | Paula Moltzan (USA) |
| Sestriere, Italy Race 1 | Federica Brignone (ITA) | Alice Robinson (NZL) | Thea Louise Stjernesund (NOR) |
Top 15 Breakdown: Nations Dominating GS
The top three in the 2024-25 World Cup giant slalom standings remain unchanged, with Alice Robinson (NZE) leading with 380 points, followed by Sara Hector (SWE) with 341 and Federica Brignone (ITA) with 300. However, Thea Louise Stjernesund (NOR) has climbed two spots to fourth place after her podium finish in Sestriere Race 1, now sitting at 252 points. Zrinka Ljutić (CRO) holds fifth with 242 points.
| Rank | Name | Nation | Points | Point Differential to Robinson |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alice Robinson | NZE | 380 | 0 |
| 2 | Sara Hector | SWE | 341 | 39 |
| 3 | Federica Brignone | ITA | 300 | 80 |
| 4 | Thea Louise Stjernesund | NOR | 252 | 128 |
| 5 | Zrinka Ljutić | CRO | 242 | 138 |
The top 15 includes skiers from 11 different nations. The United States leads with three skiers, while Switzerland and Canada each have two. The remaining six nations—New Zealand, Sweden, Italy, Norway, Croatia, Albania, Austria, and Slovenia—each have one skier in the standings.
With three races left in the GS season, the battle for the Crystal Globe remains open. Robinson, Hector, and Brignone are locked in a tight fight at the top, while Stjernesund’s rise into the top four has added another contender to the mix. Each remaining race will be crucial in determining the season’s champion.
Top 15 Women’s GS World Cup Rankings
Click images to enlarge
Nations Cup: Women’s GS Standings
The United States remains in the lead in the Women’s Giant Slalom Nations Cup with 616 points, extending its advantage over the competition. The most significant shift comes in the battle for second, as Italy (564 points) has overtaken Switzerland (479 points).
Sweden (419) and Austria (397) remain in fourth and fifth, still in contention for podium positions.
Further down the standings, Norway (382) holds sixth, followed by New Zealand (380) in seventh. The biggest movement in the lower rankings sees Croatia (242) jump to eighth, flipping spots with Albania (234), now ninth. Canada (226) rounds out the top 10.
With just three GS races left, every point will be crucial as the fight for the Nations Cup title tightens. The United States continues to show strength, with multiple skiers contributing to its total, while Italy and Switzerland remain close in the battle for second.
Nations Cup GS Standings
Sixty-four women representing 17 countries are set to compete in the World Cup Giant Slalom in Sestriere, Italy, on February 22.
Christian Perner (AUT) set the first run, and Alois Prenn (SUI) will set the second run.
North American Contenders: U.S. and Canadian Standouts
Stifel U.S. Ski Team
The U.S. team continues to showcase its depth in giant slalom, with three skiers inside the top 15 and another making strides in the standings. Paula Moltzan leads the American squad in seventh place with 214 points, followed by Nina O’Brien in 10th (174 points) and Katie Hensien in 14th (97 points), maintaining her consistency among the world’s best.
AJ Hurt has climbed to 20th despite missing early-season races, showing her ability to gain ground quickly. The team’s strength grows with the return of Mikaela Shiffrin, now ranked 27th, looking to regain her world-class GS speed in the second Sestriere race.
Elisabeth Bocock qualified for her second career second run but did not finish. She will be back tomorrow, looking for redemption. Meanwhile, Mary Bocock will make her start in the second Sestriere GS, aiming to earn her first World Cup points.
Alpine Canada Alpin Women
Valérie Grenier leads the Canadian GS squad, sitting 12th in the standings with 129 points. Despite missing the season opener in Sölden, the two-time World Cup GS winner remains a consistent podium threat and a key contender for strong results in the remaining races.
Britt Richardson, now ranked 15th with 86 points, continues to show her potential after earning a career-best seventh-place finish in Kronplatz. Cassidy Gray, ranked 41st, has also contributed valuable points for Canada this season.
Justine Lamontagne will compete in the second Sestriere GS, gaining more experience on the World Cup stage. With three races left, all three Canadian skiers will look to climb the rankings and finish the season strong.
North American Women With 2025 World Cup GS Points
North American Women Racing GS
- Bib 6, Paula Moltzan, Stifel USST, University of Vermont, Ski and Snowboard Club, Vail, Oakley
- Bib 9, Nina O’Brien, Stifel USST, Burke Mountain Academy
- Bib 10, Valérie Grenier, ACA, Club de Ski Mont Tremblant
- Bib 12, AJ Hurt, Stifel USST, Team Palisades Tahoe, HEAD
- Bib 15, Mikaela Shiffrin, Stifel USST, Burke Mountain Academy, Atomic, Oakley
- Bib 21, Britt Richardson, ACA, Calgary Alpine Racing Club, Burke Mountain, Academy, Oakley
- Bib 28, Katie Hensien, Stifel USST, University of Denver, Rowmark Ski Academy, SHRED
- Bib 33, Elisabeth Bocock, Stifel USST, Rowmark Ski Academy
- Bib 35, Cassidy Gray, ACA, Team Panorama, Atomic
- Bib 59, Mary Bocock, Stifel USST, Dartmouth College, Rowmark Ski Academy
- Bib 64, Justine Lamontagne, Mount Sainte-Anne, Montana State University
What’s at Stake?
With only three GS races left after Sestriere, the fight for the Crystal Globe remains open. Alice Robinson leads the standings with 380 points, but Sara Hector (341) and Federica Brignone (300) remain within striking distance. A strong result here could be pivotal in the title race.
The Nations Cup battle has also intensified, with Italy overtaking Switzerland for second place behind the United States. Meanwhile, individual rankings remain volatile, with multiple skiers pushing to break into the top 15 or solidify their World Cup start positions.
For North American racers, this event is another key opportunity to gain points and improve their standings. The U.S. and Canadian teams continue to show depth, with skiers like Paula Moltzan, Nina O’Brien, Valérie Grenier, and Britt Richardson all looking for strong finishes.
With the season winding down, every race matters more. Expect high-intensity skiing as the world’s best fight for the podium and crucial World Cup points in the second Sestriere GS.
How and When to Watch
The first run starts at 5:00 a.m. Eastern and 2:00 a.m. Pacific Time, with the second run at 8:00 a.m. Eastern and 5:00 a.m. Pacific Time.
U.S. audiences can watch the race live or as a replay on Ski and Snowboard Live.
Sports enthusiasts in Canada can watch the World Cup on CBC Sports.
Daily Program and First Run Start List
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First Run Start List
About the Author: Peter Lange
