Gurgl Podium 2025/GEPA pictures
Shiffrin Closes With a Masterclass to Win in Gurgl Again
GURGL, Austria — Mikaela Shiffrin delivered another masterclass in Gurgl, winning the second slalom of the season with complete authority. The defending Gurgl champion dominated the field, finishing 1.23 seconds ahead of Lara Colturi and 1.41 ahead of Camille Rast. She has now won every slalom run this season — all four — and, just like last year, opens the winter with back-to-back slalom victories.
“Today was pretty challenging. My first run was very fast, but I felt a little off balance and the snow wasn’t so comfortable. Between runs, I tried to imagine how it should feel, and I was nervous because I knew everyone else would push. Lara skied better than I did on the first run, but I had the right moment where my skis took, and that put me ahead. The sun softened the surface for the second run, making it more forgiving, but you still had to push with precision. My second run was my best skiing, and I’m pleased about that. The young generation is skiing so well, and it’s exciting to be part of it.” Now I need to get some GS training again, and I’m really excited to go to Copper and sleep in my own bed for the first time during the season in more than ten years.” — Mikaela Shiffrin
North American Start to the Second Run
Stifel U.S. Ski Team skier AJ Hurt, tied for 29th after Run 1, opened the second run. The two-event specialist charged hard from the start, attacking the upper section with energy, but her all-or-nothing approach caught up with her. Hurt carried strong speed down the course before missing the second-to-last gate and skiing out.
Nina O’Brien followed soon after and also did not finish, falling onto her hip over a roll in the second sector. The difficult snow — which Shiffrin described after Run 1 as “challenging and not predictable” — continued to eliminate strong skiers early.
St-Germain Delivers a Breakthrough Run for Canada
Canada’s Laurence St-Germain turned the tide in spectacular fashion. Skiing a course set by her own coach, the 2023 world champion attacked with sharp timing and confidence. She built speed down the pitch and carried it cleanly across the flats, crossing with a benchmark time that transformed the early phase of the race.
Her run pushed her up 13 positions and she held the lead for 11 skiers, the longest stretch anyone managed all afternoon. That extended hold — spanning a wide range of mid-field racers — became one of the defining stories of the second run.
Truppe Is the First to Unseat St-Germain
The breakthrough ended when Austria’s Katharina Truppe delivered a strong, disciplined run that lit up the Austrian crowd. Truppe executed well down the pitch, stayed composed across the flats, and became the first racer to take the lead from St-Germain. Her skiing brought the first major shift in momentum and set the tone for the final third of the race.
After Truppe moved ahead, a string of contenders followed — Lena Dürr, Sara Hector, and Emma Aicher — but none matched her pace.
Moltzan Attacks and Takes the Lead
That changed when Paula Moltzan burst out of the start and delivered one of her best efforts of the season. The American charged the upper section, attacked the pitch, and carried speed across the flats with raw power. She crossed in the lead, overtaking both Truppe and the rest of the field to that point.
Moltzan held the lead through one racer and ultimately finished fifth, just off the podium, with a strong, exciting second run.
Swiss Surge Before the Final Two
Switzerland took control next.
Wendy Holdener used her first-run advantage to edge Moltzan and take the lead by 0.15 seconds. Then 2025 World Champion Camille Rast delivered an even stronger run, skiing into the lead by 0.18 seconds and securing no worse than third place.
Rast’s performance guaranteed Switzerland a podium and set up a high-pressure moment for the remaining racers.
“I had trouble with my hip through the whole summer and the start of the season, so I’m really happy to be back on the podium,” Rast said. “I was a bit nervous in the start gate because I had the same time as Wendy after the first run, and I know how fast she is. Today was a big step, and I hope I can keep it going.”
— Camille Rast
Colturi Delivers Under Pressure
Nineteen-year-old Lara Colturi was the revelation of the day. Racing with maturity and confidence, she attacked from the first gate, stayed fluid down the pitch, and maintained speed through the finish. Her run propelled her into the lead and guaranteed her no worse than second place, another breakthrough result for Albania.
Only Shiffrin remained.
“After inspection, I honestly thought it might not be my day. I usually don’t feel great on this kind of surface, but I really impressed myself today and I’m proud of what I did. Second place reminds me that I can perform even when the conditions aren’t what I like. It’s two races and two second-place finishes now, and that gives me confidence that I belong up here. I need to keep this positive mindset and carry it into training.”
— Lara Colturi
Shiffrin Finishes with Complete Authority
Shiffrin entered the start as the defending Gurgl champion and the greatest slalom skier of all time — and she delivered her strongest skiing of the day when it mattered most. Her splits stayed in the green from top to bottom, and she opened the margin through every sector.
She crossed with a winning margin of 1.23 seconds, a display of complete control and execution. Shiffrin has now won all four slalom runs this year, reinforcing once again that she is in a class of her own.
Second Run Sector Winners
Sector 1 — Mikaela Shiffrin (USA)
Shiffrin opened the attack with the fastest split in Sector 1. Her 8.19 set the pace and immediately put her run on track for victory.
Sector 2 — Mikaela Shiffrin (USA)
She extended her control through Sector 2 with a field-best 16.87, gaining time on every challenger.
Sector 3 — Laurence St-Germain (CAN)
St-Germain delivered the fastest third-sector time of the day — 16.69 — skiing cleanly down the pitch and carrying excellent speed across the transition. It was one of the highlights of her breakthrough second run.
Sector 4 — Mikaela Shiffrin (USA)
Shiffrin closed with authority, producing the fastest Sector 4 at 11.47, completing her dominant run and securing her second straight slalom win of the season.
Race Results
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Run Analysis: Leaders, North Americans, and British Qualifiers
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About the Author: Peter Lange
