Olympic GS Champion Sara Hector SWE / GEPA picture
Women’s World Cup Giant Slalom Returns to Kranjska Gora as the Olympic Picture Tightens
The women’s World Cup giant slalom heads to Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, as the Olympic season enters a decisive phase. The January 3rd, Saturday’s race is the sixth GS of the 2025–26 campaign, and while opportunities remain on the calendar, the margin to perform is shrinking quickly across the entire field.
Notably, Austria’s star Katharina Liensberger will miss Kranjska Gora after suffering a knee injury in training on Friday. Her absence removes a proven contender at a moment when results increasingly shape seeding, momentum, and the narrowing paths toward Cortina.
Scheib Leads After Semmering Reset the Discipline
🇦🇹 Julia Scheib arrives in Kranjska Gora as the World Cup giant slalom points leader following her victory in Semmering.
🇳🇿 Alice Robinson led the discipline entering Semmering, but a first-run DNF opened the door for Scheib to take control of the standings. 🇨🇭 Camille Rast continues a breakthrough GS season built on consistency, while Olympic Champion 🇸🇪 Sara Hector remains firmly in the title conversation.
Women’s World Cup Giant Slalom Podium Table — 2025–26 Season
| Race | Winner | Second | Third |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sölden (AUT) | Julia Scheib (AUT) | Paula Moltzan (USA) | Lara Gut-Behrami (SUI) |
| Copper Mountain (USA) | Alice Robinson (NZL) | Julia Scheib (AUT) | Thea Louise Stjernesund (NOR) |
| Tremblant — Day 1 (CAN) | Alice Robinson (NZL) | Zrinka Ljutić (CRO) | Valérie Grenier (CAN) |
| Tremblant — Day 2 (CAN) | Julia Scheib (AUT) | Sara Hector (SWE) | Alice Robinson (NZL) |
| Semmering (AUT) | Julia Scheib (AUT) | Camille Rast (SUI) | Sara Hector (SWE) |
Top Five in the Women’s World Cup Giant Slalom Standings (Post-Semmering)
- 🇦🇹 Julia Scheib — 380 points — Atomic
- 🇳🇿 Alice Robinson — 292
- 🇨🇭 Camille Rast — 241 — HEAD
- 🇸🇪 Sara Hector — 219 — HEAD
- 🇭🇷 Zrinka Ljutić — 198 — Atomic
- 🇺🇸 Mikaela Shiffrin — 198 — Atomic, Oakley
First Seven on the Start List
- Bib 1 — 🇨🇭 Camille Rast (1999) — HEAD
- Bib 2 — 🇸🇪 Sara Hector (1992) — HEAD
- Bib 3 — 🇦🇹 Julia Scheib (1998)
- Bib 4 — 🇳🇿 Alice Robinson (2001)
- Bib 5 — 🇭🇷 Zrinka Ljutić (2004) — Atomic
- Bib 6 — 🇺🇸 Paula Moltzan (1994)
- Bib 7 — 🇳🇴 Thea Louise Stjernesund (1996)
🇺🇸 Stifel U.S. Ski Team — Starters
- Bib 6 — 🇺🇸 Paula Moltzan (1994)
- Bib 8 — 🇺🇸 Mikaela Shiffrin (1995) — Atomic, Oakley
- Bib 12 — 🇺🇸 Nina O’Brien (1997)
- Bib 19 — 🇺🇸 A.J. Hurt (2000) — HEAD
- Bib 31 — 🇺🇸 Elisabeth Bocock (2005)
- Bib 37 — 🇺🇸 Mary Bocock (2003)
🇨🇦 Canada — Starters
- Bib 10 — 🇨🇦 Valérie Grenier (1996) (Two time Kranjska Gora GS winner)
- Bib 15 — 🇨🇦 Britt Richardson (2003) — Atomic
- Bib 45 — 🇨🇦 Cassidy Gray (2001) — Atomic
- Bib 55 — 🇨🇦 Justine Lamontagne (2002)
Why Kranjska Gora Matters
Kranjska Gora will not decide the season — but it will continue to narrow the paths forward. With only a handful of giant slalom races remaining before the Olympic break, the value of every result is magnified. Seeding, momentum, and opportunity are now tightly linked.
In an Olympic year, every clean run matters — and every mistake costs more than it did just a few weeks ago.
Nils Coberger (NZL) sets the first run, while Daniele Simoncelli (ITA) sets the second run
Women’s Giant Slalom — Start Times and How to Watch
Saturday’s giant slalom takes place on January 3rd. Run one begins at 4:00 a.m. ET / 1:00 a.m. PT, with run two at 7:00 a.m. ET / 4:00 a.m. PT. Fans in Great Britain can watch the first run at 9:00 and the second at 12:00.
- United States: Live and replay coverage on Ski and Snowboard Live
- Canada: Stream on CBC Sports
- Great Britain: Both races air live on Discovery+
Daily Program
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First Run Starlist women’s GS
About the Author: Peter Lange
