After a devastating crash in Bormio, Cyprien Sarrazin faces a challenging road to recovery. With head injuries impacting his daily life, hope remains as he begins a long rehabilitation journey.
Zrinka Ljutic delivered a stunning performance in the Kranjska Gora slalom, claiming her second consecutive World Cup win. The young Croatian edged out Swiss veteran Wendy Holdener by 0.16 seconds, with Sweden’s Anna Swenn Larsson rounding out the podium. The dramatic second run saw multiple lead changes, with Holdener briefly taking the top spot before Ljutic’s composed and precise skiing sealed the victory.
Despite the absence of Petra Vlhová, Mikaela Shiffrin, and Laurence St-Germain due to injuries, Sunday’s World Cup slalom in Kranjska Gora delivered thrilling performances. Croatian standout Zrinka Ljutic and Swiss veteran Wendy Holdener tied for the lead after the first run, with the top five skiers separated by just 0.78 seconds. Germany’s Lena Dürr shocked fans with an early exit, while rising talents like Melanie Meillard and Emma Aicher seized the spotlight. Switzerland showcased depth with seven qualifiers for the second run, while Canada struggled, failing to advance any racers.
The Kranjska Gora slalom, the site of AJ Hurt’s career-first World Cup podium just a year ago. With top contenders like Camille Rast, Lena Dürr, and Zrinka Ljutić vying for critical points in the tight slalom title race, this preview offers a detailed look at the athletes, past results, and what’s at stake in this pivotal World Cup event.
Sweden’s Sara Hector claimed a commanding victory at the Kranjska Gora Giant Slalom, securing her second win of the season and taking the lead in the GS standings. Albania’s rising star Lara Colturi earned her first career GS podium in second, while New Zealand’s Alice Robinson, known for her power and aggression, finished third. AJ Hurt delivered her best result of the season in 10th, with teammate Nina O’Brien close behind in 11th. Austria’s Julia Scheib impressed with the fastest second run, climbing to fourth, while Argentina’s Francesca Baruzzi Farriol made history by scoring her first World Cup points in 30th.
Sweden’s Sara Hector dominated the first run on Kranjska Gora’s challenging Podkoren slope, leading by 1.19 seconds. Surprises included Italy’s Federica Brignone failing to finish and 18-year-old Lara Colturi delivering the second-fastest time. North Americans AJ Hurt and Nina O’Brien also impressed, while higher bibs capitalized on opportunities to qualify for the afternoon finale.
The 2025 Women’s World Cup Giant Slalom returns to Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, on the steep and technical Podkoren 3 slope. Top contenders include Federica Brignone, Sara Hector, and Valérie Grenier, while North Americans like Paula Moltzan and Katie Hensien aim to break into the podium mix. With its challenging terrain and tight standings, this race promises high-stakes action.
The Swiss men and women lead the 2024 Nations Cup standings, with North American skiers making their mark in event rankings. With many races left this season, the standings remain dynamic. Explore how the competition is shaping up so far.
Lara Gut-Behrami is on the brink of making Alpine skiing history as she aims to become the first woman to win at least 10 World Cup races in three disciplines. Competing in Kranjska Gora on January 4, she has a chance to join legends Hermann Maier and Pirmin Zurbriggen in this exclusive club. However, with stiff competition on the challenging Gran Podkoren slope, the achievement is anything but guaranteed.
The 2024 Christmas season included a special event for Aleksander Aamodt Kilde. The World Cup speed specialist unveiled an honorary wall in the lodge at the Norwegian ski area where he and his family have enjoyed many weekends and holidays skiing together during most of his younger years.
French skier Cyprien Sarrazin is awake and in stable condition following surgery on a head injury sustained during a crash in World Cup downhill training on Bormio’s Stelvio course. Sarrazin, last season’s downhill winner on the same slope, underwent an operation to drain a brain bleed and remains under observation. Italian skier Pietro Zazzi also crashed during training, breaking his tibia and fibula, and is recovering after surgery in Milan. Saturday’s downhill race was won by Swiss skier Alexis Monney, while the Stelvio course prepares to host men’s events for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics.
With Germany’s Lena Dürr leading the race, all eyes turned to 20-year-old Croatia’s Zrinka Ljutic, the fastest skier from the first run, to decide the winner. Benefiting from her father setting the first run course, Ljutic entered the second run with a 0.51-second advantage over Dürr. Despite Dürr’s impressive second run, which included a significant mistake, Ljutic extended her lead to 1.75 seconds, clinching her first World Cup victory. The win was historic, marking the first time in 22 years that a Croatian woman claimed a World Cup victory, following in the footsteps of skiing legend Janica Kostelić. Ljutic, who had previously earned three slalom podiums, finally stood atop the podium in a breakthrough moment for her career.
Norweigian Fredrik Moeller earns his first World Cup victory on the challenging Stelvio super-G track. Vincent Kriechmayr finished 2nd and Alexis Monney in 3rd.
Zrinka Ljutic holds a commanding lead after the first run of the Semmering slalom, with Germany’s Lena Dürr and Switzerland’s Camille Rast in pursuit. North Americans Amelia Smart and AJ Hurt aim to climb the ranks in an exciting afternoon finale.
The Bormio Super-G on the iconic Stelvio track promises thrilling action as the world’s top ski racers face one of the most demanding courses on the World Cup circuit. With steep terrain, icy conditions, and flat light adding to the challenge, skiers must rely on a single course inspection to prepare for the race. Fans can look forward to seeing reigning super-G champion Marco Odermatt defend his title, Italy’s Mattia Casse chasing a second consecutive win, and Jared Goldberg leading a strong North American contingent. Don’t miss the action—full race info, athlete profiles, and viewing details are available.
The Women’s World Cup slalom returns to Semmering, Austria, without Mikaela Shiffrin, shifting the spotlight to other top contenders like Camille Rast, Katharina Liensberger, and Paula Moltzan. Discover who’s racing, how to watch, and what to expect from this season's stars.
The Women’s GS in Semmering delivered thrilling drama, with Federica Brignone securing her 14th World Cup GS victory and extending her record as the oldest winner. Sara Hector and Alice Robinson joined her on the podium, each earning their second GS podium of the season. North Americans impressed, led by Valerie Grenier in 4th and Paula Moltzan in 5th, showcasing depth and determination.
Another Swiss triumph this season. Alexis Monney achieves his first World Cup victory, Franjo Von Allmen earns his second podium finish and Cameron Alexander gains a consecutive 3rd-place finish on the Stelvio track.
Federica Brignone led a tight field after the first run of the Semmering GS, holding a slim 0.15-second lead over reigning World Cup GS champion Lara Gut-Behrami. Olympic champion Sara Hector followed in third, just 0.24 seconds back. North American skiers impressed, with Paula Moltzan in fourth and Valerie Grenier in fifth, while seven skiers from the region qualified for the afternoon finale. The diverse field featured standout performances from 11 countries, setting the stage for an exciting second run.
French World Cup skier Cyprien Sarrazin suffered a severe head injury during a dramatic crash on the Stelvio downhill course in Bormio, Italy, Friday. Known for its demanding terrain, the course claimed Sarrazin after he landed hard off a roll and crashed through safety nets, prompting an airlift rescue. Diagnosed with a subdural hematoma, the Frenchman underwent emergency surgery, as confirmed by the French Ski Federation. Sarrazin had recorded the fastest training time just a day earlier and was eager to repeat his success from last season’s Bormio downhill. His crash has sparked renewed concerns over the icy, inconsistent conditions of this year’s course, with several racers criticizing its preparation and safety measures.
U.S. Ski Team veteran, Jared Goldberg, reflects on his first World Cup podium: “The carrot on the stick has just been moved forward, and now I’m chasing that.”
The Semmering Women’s World Cup GS returns after a two-season hiatus, bringing thrilling action to the Panorama slope. With Mikaela Shiffrin and Petra Vlhová sidelined, reigning GS World Cup champion Lara Gut-Behrami leads a competitive field. North America’s AJ Hurt, back in action for the Stifel U.S. Ski Team after earning her first GS podium last season, joins other strong contenders like Federica Brignone and Sara Hector in the hunt for victory.
The Bormio Stelvio's Carcentina and San Pietro Jump demand precision, power, and endurance. Last year, Canada’s Cameron Alexander earned a podium finish, while Wiley Maple led the U.S. racers with 12th. North American standouts like Ryan Cochran-Siegle, Bryce Bennett, James Crawford, and Brodie Seger are poised to showcase their skills on this formidable course this season.
Julia Scheib’s journey from a small Styrian ski hill to World Cup podiums embodies determination and resilience. After breaking Austria’s five-year giant slalom podium drought with third place in Sölden, Scheib now sets her sights on her home race in Semmering. Reflecting on her career, she acknowledges setbacks like injuries and DNFs but highlights her evolution into a consistent contender through focus and hard work. With ambitious goals, including the giant slalom globe, Scheib’s racing story inspires young skiers to dream big, persevere, and prove doubters wrong—one turn at a time.
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