At the first World Cup race of the new year, Camille Rast won her first victory in the giant slalom. The Swiss triumphed ahead of the Austrian Julia Scheib (+0.20 seconds) and Paula Moltzan from the USA (+0.47s). Lena Dürr was the only German in the second round and ended up in 18th place.
Camille Rast said on Friday that her thoughts were with the people in her homeland. Rast is from Valais, not far from Crans-Montana, where 40 people died in a bar on New Year’s Eve and over 100 people were injured, some seriously. “I’m thinking of all those affected and helpers. I can’t even imagine what it’s like at home. I’ll do my best in the races.”
For her homeland, for the victims and helpers of Crans-Montana, she actually drove to victory in the giant slalom – her very first in a World Cup giant slalom. Her colleagues also set an example: all Swiss Ski athletes wore black mourning ribbons on their arms.
Racing strong in both runs
Rast started the race with start number one and was leading at half time. And the technology specialist also coped brilliantly with the completely different course in the second run: on the much faster and more rhythmic carve, Rast carried the lead across the finish line without any problems.
On Saturday, the 26-year-old once again proved what impressive form she is in just a few weeks before the Olympic Games in Cortina d’Ampezzo. She finished second in the last three World Cup races and is therefore the top favorite for a slalom and giant slalom medal.
Mikaela Shiffrin relieved
The day was enjoyable for Mikaela Shiffrin. The American showed a good first run and was now in fourth place. As she crossed the finish line, she threw her arms up. After her serious fall in Killington in November 2024, Shiffrin struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder. After her comeback, she quickly regained her old successes in the slalom, but she is still struggling in the giant slalom, the discipline in which she fell.
Shiffrin said with relief on ZDF: “Last year I watched the race and thought: I don’t think I can do that. It’s cool to be here this year and be able to keep up.” In the second run she started the race a bit hesitantly and ended up in fifth place (+1.05s).
Aicher messes up the start of the new year
The German athletes were already far behind at halftime: only Lena Dürr was able to qualify for the second round, but she also still had room for improvement. “It was solid, I would say, there could certainly have been more. It was incredibly turning and I was a little too late for the third or fourth goal.”the Bavarian analyzed on ZDF.
Emma Aicher had big problems in the first race of the new year and didn’t seem to get into the rhythm. With a deficit of 3.78 seconds, she clearly missed qualifying for the deciding run. For Jana Fritz, however, it was closer: the 20-year-old was only eleven hundredths of a second shy of 30th place (33rd, +3.10s). Fabiana Dorigo was in 37th place after the first run (+3.25s).
Top favorite Robinson is eliminated
Alice Robinson was also eliminated in the first round. Her coach, of all people, had set the run – turning hard so that the sophisticated technician could play to her strengths. But the 24-year-old was behind at the first split times and was eliminated in the last third of the route. Robinson missed another chance to score.
After two giant slalom victories this season (Copper Mountain, Tremblant), she recently competed with Scheib for the red jersey. But two failures in a row – in Semmering and now in Kranjska Gora – are reshuffling the cards.