Scheib Secures Giant Slalom Title in Åre as Shiffrin Battles for Overall Lead
Åre, Sweden – Julia Scheib of Austria capped an incredible season with a dominant victory in the women’s giant slalom at Åre on Saturday, securing the coveted crystal globe for the discipline. American Paula Moltzan and New Zealand’s Alice Robinson joined Scheib on the podium, while the overall World Cup standings saw a tightening of the race as Mikaela Shiffrin finished fifth after a strong second run. The event served as the final giant slalom competition before the World Cup Finals next week.
Scheib’s win marked her fifth giant slalom victory of the season, solidifying her position as the clear leader in the discipline. Camille Rast, who held the lead after the first run, unfortunately skied out in the second, handing the crystal globe to Scheib. The Austrian skier has enjoyed a breakthrough season, though an Olympic Games without a medal – finishing fifth in the event won by Federica Brignone – remains a slight regret.
Second Run Drama and Key Performances
The second run proved decisive, with Swedish racers Hanna Loevblom and Sara Nyberg delivering impressive performances to climb the rankings. Loevblom improved from 23rd to 11th, while Nyberg surged from 30th to 16th, setting the fastest first and second partial times, respectively. The course, noticeably faster in the second run, presented challenges for several top competitors.
Unfortunately, Sofia Goggia of Italy was unable to complete the course, losing control due to a bump in the snow. Lara Colturi recovered well, while Shiffrin demonstrated her resilience with a strong second run. Robinson, Moltzan, and Scheib all maintained their positions, but the drama unfolded with Camille Rast’s exit, effectively sealing Scheib’s victory.
Italian Performances and Olympic Champion Brignone
Asja Zenere was the top Italian finisher, securing 10th place with a time 2.78 seconds behind Scheib. Ilaria Ghisalberti finished 18th (+3.78), followed by Lara Della Mea in 21st (+4.07) and Laura Pirovano in 23rd (+4.43). The Italian team will be represented at the World Cup Finals by Della Mea, Goggia, and Zenere. As well qualifying for the finals is Anna Trocker, the current junior world champion in the discipline.
Notably absent from this race was Federica Brignone, who concluded her season following her Olympic gold medals in super-G and giant slalom, and her performances in Soldeu. Brignone’s decision marks the end of a successful season for the Italian star.
Shiffrin’s Overall Lead Narrowed
Emma Aicher’s strong performance is beginning to threaten Mikaela Shiffrin’s lead in the overall World Cup standings. Shiffrin finished fifth in Åre after a remarkable recovery from 12th place after the first run. With just five races remaining – the slalom in Åre on Sunday and the four events at the finals – Shiffrin’s lead has been reduced to 120 points. The battle for the overall title is far from over.
The women’s overall competition in the 2026 FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup is scheduled to consist of 37 events across four disciplines: downhill, super-G, giant slalom, and slalom. The official FIS schedule features events at 20 different resorts.
Looking Ahead: Åre Slalom and World Cup Finals
The action continues in Åre tomorrow with a women’s slalom race. Following Åre, the focus shifts to the World Cup Finals, where the final standings will be determined. Julia Scheib will undoubtedly be a favorite in the giant slalom at the finals, aiming to further cement her dominance in the discipline. Mikaela Shiffrin will be looking to defend her overall lead against a surging field of competitors.
The 2025-26 season has already delivered memorable moments, including Julia Scheib ending Austria’s nine-year drought in giant slalom at Sölden. The Sölden race saw the U.S. Land three skiers in the top six, highlighting the growing strength of the American team.
The upcoming slalom race in Åre promises to be another exciting event, and all eyes will be on Shiffrin as she attempts to maintain her lead in the overall standings. Fans can follow the race and the World Cup Finals for the latest updates and results.
