Mikaela Shiffrin Åre 2024: GEPA pictures
Women’s World Cup Slalom in Åre, Sweden: Who’s Racing When, What’s at Stake, and How to Watch
Åre’s Historic Slalom Legacy
Åre, Sweden, has long been a Women’s World Cup slalom racing cornerstone. The resort has challenged the world’s best since hosting its first women’s World Cup slalom in March 1990—won by Swiss legend Vreni Schneider. Over the years, it has remained a regular stop on the circuit, with the Åre Slalomklubb organizing many top-tier competitions. The venue has also hosted multiple FIS Alpine World Ski Championships, including the 2019 edition, where Marcel Hirscher and Lindsey Vonn made their final championship appearances before stepping away from the sport.
However, retirement hasn’t kept Vonn away from competition. The American speed icon recently made a stunning return to racing, competing in the Saalbach 2025 World Championship super-G, downhill and team combined.
Shiffrin’s Dominance in Åre
No skier has mastered the Åre slalom quite like Mikaela Shiffrin. The American superstar has won 24% of all Women’s World Cup slaloms held at the Swedish venue—six victories of the 25. It’s also the site of her first World Cup win, a breakthrough moment in December 2012 when she triumphed in a night slalom at 17. More than a decade later, she returns with 100 World Cup wins to her name, with Åre accounting for 9.5% of her 63 slalom victories.
A Demanding Slalom Course
The slalom race occurs on the Störtloppsbacken venue, a course that has tested the world’s best for decades. The race starts at an altitude of 586 meters and finishes at 396 meters, creating a 190-meter vertical drop. This technical track requires fast transitions, focus, and the ability to adapt to shifting terrain. Athletes must maintain balance and timing from top to bottom, navigating a course that has tested the best for decades.
2024 Åre Slalom Recap
Last season’s slalom in Åre delivered a thrilling comeback story. In her first race after recovering from an injury sustained in a Cortina d’Ampezzo downhill, Mikaela Shiffrin stormed to victory, proving once again why she dominates this venue. She was joined on the podium by Croatia’s rising star Zrinka Ljutić, who continues to establish herself among the world’s best. Swiss veteran Michelle Gisin rounded out the podium with a strong and consistent performance.
With a deep racing history, legendary names making headlines, and one of the sport’s greatest champions returning, Åre is set for another thrilling showdown on March 9.
Updated Slalom Podium Winners
With eight of ten slalom races completed, the season has showcased depth and unpredictability. Nine women from seven countries reached the podium, highlighting the sport’s competitiveness.
| Location | 1st Place | 2nd Place | 3rd Place |
|---|---|---|---|
| Levi | Shiffrin (USA) | Liensberger (AUT) | Dürr (GER) |
| Gurgl | Shiffrin (USA) | Colturi (ALB) | Rast (SUI) |
| Killington | Rast (SUI) | Swenn-Larsson (SWE) | Holdener (SUI) |
| Semmering | Ljutić (CRO) | Dürr (GER) | Liensberger (AUT) |
| Kranjska Gora | Ljutić (CRO) | Holdener (SUI) | Swenn-Larsson (SWE) |
| Flachau | Rast (SUI) | Holdener (SUI) | Hector (SWE) |
| Courchevel | Ljutić (CRO) | Hector (SWE) | Dürr (GER) |
| Sestriere | Shiffrin (USA) | Rast (SUI) | Ljutić (CRO) |
With multiple podium contenders and just a few races remaining, Åre will be a critical test in the slalom standings battle.
Top 15 Women’s 2024-25 SL World Cup Standings
Top 15 Women’s 2024-25 SL World Cup Standings
The top 15 slalom rankings feature eight nations, reflecting the depth of talent this season.
- Switzerland leads with three skiers in the standings.
- Austria and Sweden each have three athletes in the top 15.
- The United States has two representatives in the rankings.
- Germany, Croatia, Albania, and Slovenia each have one skier, highlighting the season’s global competitiveness.
A Closer Look at the Top 5
| Rank | Athlete | Nation | Points | Deficit to Leader |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zrinka Ljutić | CRO | 489 | — |
| 2 | Camille Rast | SUI | 450 | -39 |
| 3 | Katharina Liensberger | AUT | 384 | -105 |
| 4 | Wendy Holdener | SUI | 374 | -115 |
| 5 | Lena Dürr | GER | 357 | -132 |
With just two slalom races remaining, the battle for a top-three finish remains tight.
Sixty women from 18 countries will start the women’s World Cup SL in Åre, Sweden.
Vincent Blum (FRA) has set the first run, and Robert Berger (AUT) will set the second run.
North American Contenders
While Mikaela Shiffrin isn’t mathematically eliminated from the slalom title race, it would take a miracle for her to have a shot. However, when it comes to qualifying for the World Cup Finals in Sun Valley, both the Stifel U.S. Ski Team and Alpine Canada Alpin have two racers inside the top 25.
- Mikaela Shiffrin (USA) – 6th place, locked in for the Finals.
- Paula Moltzan (USA) – 11th place, comfortably in the top 25.
- Laurence St-Germain (CAN) – 17th place, securing her Finals spot.
- Ali Nullmeyer (CAN) – 24th place, needs a solid result in Åre to hold her position.
Stifel U.S. Ski Team: Shiffrin & Moltzan Lead the Charge
Despite missing four slalom races due to injury, Mikaela Shiffrin remains the highest-ranked North American at sixth. She opened the season with back-to-back victories in Levi and Gurgl, leading the early slalom standings. In her return to racing, she won in Sestriere and remains a top contender to claim her seventh career Åre slalom victory.
Paula Moltzan, now 11th in the standings, recently earned her first slalom podium of the season in Sestriere, signaling a new level in her skiing. Consistently ranked among the top 15, she will look to use the final regular-season races to climb even higher in the standings.
Other U.S. Skiers Racing in Åre
- AJ Hurt (30th) – Missed the first part of the season with a back injury. Since returning, she finished 18th in Semmering and 13th in Sestriere. A World Cup slalom podium finisher last year, she has the potential to climb into the Finals with a strong result.
- Katie Hensien (39th) – Best finish: 12th in Kranjska Gora.
- Nina O’Brien (46th) – Best finish: 20th in Flachau.
- Elisabeth Bocock – A 2025 Junior Worlds GS bronze medalist, making her second career World Cup slalom start.
With Finals spots on the line, the North American racers head into Åre looking to lock in their place in Sun Valley and build momentum for the season’s last slalom.
Alpine Canada Alpin: Nullmeyer & Smart Chasing Finals
Laurence St-Germain (17th) is securely in the Finals, thanks to a season of consistent top-15 finishes. The 2023 World Champion has yet to return to the podium this year, but her seventh-place finish in Killington remains her best result of the season.
Ali Nullmeyer (24th) has battled recurring back issues, forcing her to miss three World Cup slaloms. Despite the setbacks, she remains on the bubble for a Finals spot. She delivered her best result of the season in Sestriere, finishing 11th. Another top-15 finish in Åre would likely secure her place in Sun Valley.
Amelia Smart (36th) has faced a challenging season compared to previous years. Sitting 18 points behind the 25th-ranked skier, she needs a strong performance in Åre to keep her Finals hopes alive.
With Shiffrin and Moltzan leading the charge, the U.S. and Canadian women head into Åre aiming to strengthen their standings, contend for podiums, and lock in World Cup Finals spots as the season winds down.
North America’s 2024-25 World Cup Slalom Rankings
North American Women Racing Slalom
- Bib 1, Mikaela Shiffrin, Stifel USST, Burke Mountain Academy, Atomic, Oakley
- Bib 12, Paula Moltzan, Stifel USST, University of Vermont, Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, Oakley
- Bib 18, Laurence St-Germain, ACA, University of Vermont, Mont Sainte-Anne
- Bib 21, Ali Nullmeyer, ACA, Middlebury College, GMVS, Atomic
- Bib 31, AJ Hurt, Stifel USST, Team Palisades Tahoe, HEAD
- Bib 34, Amelia Smart, ACA, Windermere, University of Denver, Atomic
- Bib 43, Katie Hensien, Stifel USST, University of Denver, Rowmark Ski Academy, SHRED
- Bib 50, Nina O’Brien, Stifel USST, Burke Mountain Academy
- Bib 54, Elisabeth Bocock, Stifel USST, Rowmark Ski Academy
Looking Ahead: Åre Sets the Stage for a High-Stakes Showdown
With just two slalom races left in the season, everything is on the line in Åre. The battle for the World Cup slalom title remains fierce, with Zrinka Ljutić, Camille Rast, and Katharina Liensberger all fighting for the crystal globe. A podium finish in Åre could shake up the standings heading into the final race.
Beyond the title race, athletes are also racing for a spot in the World Cup Finals. The top 25 in the slalom standings will earn a ticket to Sun Valley, and several skiers, including Ali Nullmeyer and Amelia Smart, must deliver a strong result to secure their place.
Meanwhile, Mikaela Shiffrin aims to continue her dominance in Åre, where she has won six times. The American superstar proved she is back at full strength with a victory in Sestriere and will be a major contender to add a seventh Åre slalom win to her record.
With a deep field, a tight standings race, and Finals spots on the line, Åre is set to deliver high-stakes drama on March 9. Who will rise to the occasion?
How and When to Watch
The first run starts at 3:30 a.m. Eastern and 12:30 a.m. Pacific Time, with the second run following at 7:30 a.m. Eastern and 4:30 a.m. Pacific Time.
U.S. audiences can watch the race live or as a replay on Ski and Snowboard Live.
Sports enthusiasts in Canada can watch the World Cup on CBC Sports.
Daily Program and First Run Start List
Click the images to enlarge or download.
First Run Start List
About the Author: Peter Lange
