World Cup Race News

Albert Popov claimed his first World Cup victory in Madonna di Campiglio, making history as Bulgaria’s second-ever winner, while Benjamin Ritchie delivered a career-best performance, finishing 8th for his first top-10 result. The dramatic second run saw lead changes, intense competition, and standout skiing, with Popov securing the win over Switzerland’s Loïc Meillard and Croatia’s Samuel Kolega. The U.S. men’s slalom team continues to build momentum with strong performances and promising results this season.

The first run of the Madonna di Campiglio Men’s World Cup Night Slalom delivered drama and excitement on the challenging Canalone Miramonti slope. With a well-prepared surface despite 40 centimeters (16 inches) of wet snow earlier, top seeds like Clément Noël and Marco Schwarz struggled, exiting early, while Norway’s Atle Lie McGrath seized the lead. Impressive performances from higher bib numbers added to the excitement, with ten skiers outside the top 30 qualifying, including Stifel U.S. Ski Team’s Jett Seymour in 17th and Sweden’s Gustav Wissting in 27th. The stage is set for a thrilling second run under the lights.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

Norway’s Timon Haugan delivered a dominant performance to win the 2024 Alta Badia World Cup Slalom, marking the second slalom victory of his career. Haugan’s clean and attacking skiing secured a commanding margin over Switzerland’s Loïc Meillard, who surged six spots with the second-fastest run of the day, and teammate Atle Lie McGrath, who claimed his third podium of the season. Stifel U.S. Ski Team’s Jett Seymour also impressed, finishing 13th to cap off a thrilling day on the Gran Risa course.

The Alta Badia slalom delivered thrilling action as Clément Noël returned from injury to claim third after the first run, with Norwegians Timon Haugan and Atle Lie McGrath leading the charge. Amid icy conditions that favored precision, eight racers with bibs above 30, including Stifel U.S. Ski Team’s Jett Seymour and River Radamus, qualified for the afternoon finale. Seymour’s 13th-place finish and Radamus’s 25th marked the first time this season that two North Americans advanced to a World Cup slalom second run, highlighting a day of opportunity and progress on the challenging Gran Risa course.

The St. Moritz Super-G finale was canceled due to unstable weather, delaying Lauren Macuga and Lindsey Vonn’s next opportunity to compete until St. Anton in January.