Liensberger, Truppe, Shiffrin: GEPA pictures
Austria Dominates as Truppe Claims First Career World Cup Win
Stifel U.S. Ski Team’s Paula Moltzan led with just eight skiers left to race. The American had already surpassed season slalom leaders Zrinka Ljutić and Camille Rast, who sat behind her in the standings. But the strong contenders were still waiting at the start and ready to decide the race.
Swenn Larsson Ignites Swedish Hopes
The home crowd erupted as Sweden’s Anna Swenn Larsson charged down the course, delivering a stunning second run. With focused turns and powerful skiing, she edged ahead of Moltzan, sending the Swedish fans into celebration.
Swiss veteran Wendy Holdener followed, known for her experience and consistency. She attacked the course with confidence but fell just short, slotting into second behind Swenn Larsson. With six racers remaining, the pressure was building.
Truppe Takes Charge
Austria’s Katharina Truppe was the next to challenge for the lead, and she delivered. Skiing with composure and confidence, she risked it all and took the leader’s chair. With only five skiers left, Austria had positioned itself in a prime spot for a significant result.
Slovenia’s Andreja Slokar was next but struggled to match the top times, finishing off the pace. Then came Swiss standout Mélanie Meillard, one of the most consistent racers on tour. She attacked aggressively and built on her lead, but disaster struck—Meillard made a costly mistake and did not finish.
Austria Locks In a Podium
Only three remained. Austria’s Katharina Liensberger, having a resurgent season, skied brilliantly but couldn’t surpass her teammate Truppe and settled into second. With that, Austria was guaranteed at least one podium finish.
Germany’s Lena Dürr followed, an accomplished veteran with three slalom podiums already this season. Despite a strong effort, she lacked the speed needed to challenge and finished well back, eventually finishing seventh. With Dürr’s result, Austria had officially secured two spots on the podium, but what positions would they be?
Shiffrin Takes Third as Truppe Claims First Career Win
Only one skier remained—Mikaela Shiffrin. In search of her seventh Åre slalom victory, the American megastar put in a solid run, but it wasn’t enough. She crossed the line in third, securing the final podium spot.
For Austria, it was a historic day. Truppe earned her first-ever World Cup victory, leading a dominant one-two finish with Liensberger. It was the team’s best performance of the season—a statement race as they head toward the World Cup Finals.
Truppe on Her First World Cup Victory
“It’s just, wow. I’m a little bit speechless because I was nervous at the start, but I was much more nervous sitting in the red chair, knowing I was on the podium. I was thinking, ‘Oh God, yes.’ But yeah, first victory—it’s crazy. I have goosebumps on my body. It’s unbelievable.” — Katharina Truppe
Shiffrin on Her Performance and Returning to Form
“I feel pretty good. I actually feel really good about it. The conditions were so challenging, and you had to be just so perfect. It can be really hard to ski loose and aggressive when you have no room for error. I was pushing, maybe not always perfect, but I was pushing really hard. For those conditions, when I think back on past years, I always lost a lot more time than that—so yeah, it’s actually pretty okay.” — Mikaela Shiffrin
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Austrian Triumph as Stifel U.S. Ski Team Lands Two in Top Six
Austria delivered its best result of the season with a dominant one-two finish. Truppe claimed her first-ever World Cup victory, edging out teammate Liensberger by just 0.05 seconds. Shiffrin secured third, earning another podium since her return from injury.
The Stifel U.S. Ski Team had a strong presence in the top ranks, with Shiffrin in third and Paula Moltzan finishing sixth.
Podium Finishers:
- Katharina Truppe (AUT) – 1:42.08
- Katharina Liensberger (AUT) – 1:42.13 (+0.05)
- Mikaela Shiffrin (USA) – 1:42.27 (+0.19)
Early Movers in Åre Slalom Finale
Stifel U.S. Ski Team’s AJ Hurt took full advantage of her early start, climbing five spots before Austria’s Katharina Gallhuber overtook her. Italy’s Marta Rossetti then set the pace, charging from 21st after the first run to the provisional lead with the fastest second-run time.
With ten skiers down, Rossetti led with 1:42.89, followed by Gallhuber (+1.08) and Hurt (+1.35).
Twenty racers remain, all with stronger first-run times. The fight for the podium is just beginning.
Halfway Through the Second Run: Rossetti Still Leads
With 15 skiers down, Rossetti remained the one to beat, holding the lead with a combined time of 1:42.89. The Italian’s fastest second run continued to set the standard, though Lara Della Mea, also of Italy, came close, slotting into second at +0.71. Sweden’s Hanna Aronsson Elfman sat in third, 0.99 seconds back, keeping home hopes alive.
Hurt, after briefly holding the lead, has now dropped to seventh, while Austria’s Katharina Gallhuber rounds out the top five.
With only the fastest 15 from the first run left to go, the biggest threats to Rossetti’s lead were still waiting at the start. The real podium battle began.
Moltzan Takes the Lead as Race Reaches Final NIne
The intensity ramped up as the fastest 15 from the first run took turns. Rossetti’s blazing second run held firm against a string of elite challengers. Newly crowned slalom World Champion Rast attacked but fell short, slotting into temporary third. Albanian rising star Lara Colturi, fresh off a podium in the giant slalom, couldn’t match Rossetti’s pace.
Top racers pushed the limit one by one but failed to unseat the Italian. That changed when the 21st skier, Moltzan, stormed down the course. The American delivered a decisive second run, taking over the lead by 0.11 seconds. Notably, Rossetti moved up 13 positions during the second run and finished 8th.
With only the nine fastest from the first run left at the start, the battle for the Åre podium was on and now it is history.
Moltzan on Battling Tough Conditions
“The second run had really hard conditions and really challenging visibility, but I felt very good about my skiing. Both Kats (Katharinas) did an incredible job handling the conditions and keeping the skiing moving. You had to be totally perfect—no mistakes but also aggressive. I think I had sections where I did that well, and in the end, this was some of the best skiing I’ve done in these kinds of conditions. So it’s okay, and it’s more points, and those are points that I need.” — Paula Moltzan
Looking Ahead to the World Cup Finals
With Austria delivering its strongest slalom performance of the season and Shiffrin securing another podium, the race in Åre sets the stage for an exciting World Cup Finals. The battle for the slalom title remains intense, with top contenders ready to fight for crucial points in Sun Valley.
For the Stifel U.S. Ski Team, having two racers in the top six highlights the squad’s slalom depth heading into the season’s final race. Meanwhile, Austria’s resurgence signals that they will be a force to watch in the closing weeks. The season’s final slalom showdown in Sun Valley is just around the corner.
Strong Showing for North Americans in Åre Slalom
North American Results:
- Mikaela Shiffrin (USA) – 3rd place – 1:42.27 (+0.19)
- Paula Moltzan (USA) – 6th place – 1:42.78 (+0.70)
- AJ Hurt (USA) – 20th place – 1:44.24 (+2.16)
- Amelia Smart (CAN) – 25th place – 1:44.56 (+2.48)
- Katie Hensien (USA) – DNF
While Ali Nullmeyer did not qualify for the second run, she finished the season ranked 24th in slalom and will join her Canadian teammate, Laurence St-Germain, and Stifel U.S. Ski Team members, Paula Moltzan and Mikaela Shiffrin, at the World Cup Finals in Sun Valley, Idaho.
SL Results
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Race analysis of the fastest three and North Americans
About the Author: Peter Lange
