Shiffrin Returns to GS Podium After Two Years; Hector, Moltzan Claim Top Spots
Mikaela Shiffrin has made a noteworthy return to the World Cup giant slalom podium, finishing third in Spindleruv Mlyn, Czechia, on January 24, 2026. This marks her first podium finish in giant slalom in two years, setting a positive tone as the Milan Cortina Olympics approach.
Shiffrin’s Strong Comeback
Shiffrin, the 2018 Olympic gold medalist in giant slalom, expressed her joy after the race. “It’s amazing for me,” she stated, reflecting on her two-year absence from the podium in this discipline. She finished just 0.23 seconds behind the winner, Sara Hector, and 0.18 seconds behind teammate Paula Moltzan, who secured second place.
Podium Results
- 1st Place: Sara Hector (Sweden)
- 2nd Place: Paula Moltzan (USA)
- 3rd Place: Mikaela Shiffrin (USA)
Hector, the defending Olympic champion, held her lead from the opening run to claim her first victory since January 2025. She commented on the competition, saying, “You always have to keep working; it’s so many strong girls as you can see today.”
U.S. Team Performance
The U.S. team demonstrated strong performance overall. Besides Shiffrin and Moltzan, Nina O’Brien finished fifth, and AJ Hurt ended in eighth. Shiffrin, who holds the Women’s World Cup record for most career giant slalom wins with 22, faced challenges leading up to this race.
Challenges Leading to Podium Finish
After a runner-up finish in Slovakia in January 2024, Shiffrin encountered a series of setbacks. She crashed in a downhill event, leading to her absence from giant slalom for over a year. Furthermore, a November 2024 injury at Killington resulted in serious abdominal damage and ongoing post-traumatic stress disorder.
Despite these hurdles, Shiffrin achieved three fourth-place finishes this season before clinching third in Czechia, just weeks before the Olympic races. She acknowledged the special nature of sharing the podium with Moltzan, stating, “To find the balance between this team spirit and the individual competitive spirit is really hard.”
Looking Ahead to the Olympics
Moltzan, eager to secure her first career win, reflects on her current momentum. “It’s really inspiring that this is where the level of my GS skiing is going into the Olympics,” she noted. The competition ahead is expected to be fierce, especially as top competitors like Federica Brignone and Sofia Goggia prepare for their return to racing in Switzerland.
As the world watches, the upcoming races will be crucial for Shiffrin and her teammates as they strive for Olympic glory in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
