Mikaela Shiffrin Bib Draw Levi 2024: GEPA pictures
The Slalom Season Begins
After the giant slalom opener in Sölden, the World Cup shifts north to Levi, Finland, for the first women’s slalom of the year — and the first slalom of an Olympic season.
Under Arctic twilight and the echo of reindeer bells, the world’s best slalom skiers return to the Levi Black slope — a technical course that demands confidence, balance and quick reactions. Every turn matters this winter, with results from the early races shaping Olympic roster decisions for every nation..
Last year’s podium — Mikaela Shiffrin (USA), Katharina Liensberger (AUT), and Lena Duerr (GER) — all return, setting the stage for another thrilling two-run battle.
Shiffrin Eyes Another Levi Victory
Mikaela Shiffrin (Stifel U.S. Ski Team) enters as the most decorated slalom racer in history with 64 World Cup victories in the discipline. She dominated Levi last season, winning by nearly eight-tenths of a second, and owns a record eight reindeer trophies from the Finnish venue — more than any skier in history.
Despite season-interrupting injuries the past two winters, Shiffrin still won multiple races each year. Her ability to adapt and find speed under challenge remains unmatched, making her once again the favorite.
North American Strength Builds Momentum
The Stifel U.S. Ski Team brings depth and confidence to Levi. Paula Moltzan returns after finishing eighth here last season, joined by Nina O’Brien, Katie Hensien, AJ Hurt, Liv Moritz, and Elisabeth Bocock, who will make her third World Cup slalom start.
Annika Hunt will also start for the United States, a World Cup rookie making her first career World Cup start — a significant milestone for the 19-year-old from the Burke Mountain Academy.
Canada arrives with a strong lineup featuring Laurence ST-Germain, the 2023 World Champion, along with Ali Nullmeyer, Amelia Smart, and Kiki Alexander. They’ll be joined by independent racers Sarah Bennett and Arianne Forget, both aiming to gain early-season experience and points on the demanding Levi Black slope.
In total, four North American women scored points in Levi last year —two Americans and two Canadians. During the 2025 season, eight North American women finished inside the top 60 of the World Cup slalom standings, reflecting growth and depth across both nations.
Great Britain on the Start List
Victoria Palla will also start, marking her ninth World Cup slalom appearance and adding to the international depth of the field.
Champions and Contenders
Croatia’s Zrinka Ljutić, the 2025 World Cup slalom champion, opens her title defense in Levi. Switzerland’s Camille Rast, the 2025 slalom World Champion, also begins her campaign as one of the favorites.
Veterans Liensberger and Duerr remain podium threats, while several younger athletes aim to break through early in the season and build confidence for the long winter ahead.
Why Levi Always Delivers
Levi holds a special place on the World Cup calendar — it’s the only race held above the Arctic Circle. The atmosphere is unlike anywhere else: crisp air, firm snow, and a venue designed for performance under any light.
The floodlights are always on, creating a vivid, consistent glow from start to finish. Even when fog rolls in — the only real challenge to visibility — the lighting system cuts through the haze, keeping the track sharp and the action clear.
The first run determines who advances to the top-30 final, where the start order reverses and the tension builds with each racer. It’s the ideal early-season showdown — a blend of speed, control, and risk that defines slalom at its best.
The Olympic Season Begins
This year, every point carries extra weight. The chase for the World Cup slalom title begins here, but so does the race for Olympic qualification. Coaches and national federations will watch closely as athletes fight for early momentum and a place on their country’s Cortina 2026 roster.
Shiffrin looks to start her season with another Levi victory. Ljutić defends her crown. Rast hunts her first win on Finnish snow. And a confident North American group arrives ready to prove its depth.
Course setters — First run: Klaus Mayrhofer (AUT) Second run: Jörg Roten (SUI)
Under the Arctic lights, the Olympic slalom season begins for the athletes.
How to Watch the Levi Slalom
- United States: Live and on-demand coverage will stream on Ski and Snowboard Live, with the first run at 4:00 a.m. EST (1:00 a.m. PST) and the second run later in the morning.
- Canada: Fans can stream live coverage on CBC Sports, which will also feature race highlights and replays.
- Great Britain: Both runs will air live on Discovery+, with the first run at 9:00 a.m. and the second at 12:00 p.m. UK time.
North American and British Women Starters in Levi
(WCSL = World Cup Start List rank. FIS Point Rank is noted for athletes not in the top 30 WCSL.)
- Mikaela Shiffrin, WCSL 5th, Stifel USST, Burke Mountain Academy, Atomic
- Paula Moltzan, WCSL 9th, Stifel USST, University of Vermont Ski and Snowboard Club
- Laurence St-Germain, WCSL 20th, Alpine Canada Alpin, University of Vermont, Mont Sainte-Anne
- Ali Nullmeyer, WCSL 23rd, Alpine Canada Alpin, Middlebury College, GMVS, Atomic
- AJ Hurt, WCSL 31st, FIS Rank 24th, Stifel USST, Team Palisades Tahoe, HEAD
- Amelia Smart, WCSL 39th, FIS Rank 28, Alpine Canada Alpin, Windermere, University of Denver, Atomic
- Katie Hensien, WCSL 43rd, FIS Rank 31, Stifel USST, University of Denver, Rowmark Ski Academy
- Elisabeth Bocock, FIS 37th, Stifel USST, Rowmark Ski Academy
- Nina O’Brien, WCSL 49th, FIS Rank 47, Stifel USST, Burke Mountain Academy
- Liv Moritz, FIS Rank 47, Stifel USST, University of Denver, Ski & Snowboard Club Vail
- Arianne Forget, FIS Rank 52, CAN, Belle Neige, Atomic
- Kiki Alexander, FIS Rank 57, ACA, Sunshine Alpine Racers
- Annika Hunt, FIS Rank 85, Stifel USST, Burke Mountain Academy
- Victoria Palla, FIS Rank 91, Great Britain,
- Sarah Bennett, FIS Rank 92, CAN, ACA, Club de ski Stoneham, Québec Ski Team
About the Author: Peter Lange
