Switzerland’s Camille Rast set the tone in Saalbach with a commanding first run, carving through the quick-tempo course with aggressive transitions and powerful focus. She claimed the leader’s chair with a 0.58-second advantage over Austria’s Katharina Liensberger, while Mikaela Shiffrin, making her World Championship return, landed in third, 0.72 back. The demanding course took its toll, knocking out a third of the first 30 starters, including defending champion Laurence St-Germain. With a wide time spread and opportunities for higher bibs to break into the top 30, the stage is set for a dramatic second run.