The Alpine Skiing World Cup heads into a short year-end break. However, the first part of the season has already revealed clear power dynamics: Switzerland has been hit by serious injury, Mikaela Shiffrin remains unbeatable in slalom, and Lindsey Vonn is breaking records after her return.
Injuries, records and new challengers in the Olympic season
Scheib’s rise in form
As the season almost approaches its halfway point, it is worth taking stock of how the Alpine Skiing World Cup stands in this Olympic year. The season opener brought joy for Austria, as Julia Scheib claimed her first-ever World Cup victory on home snow in giant slalom. Scheib is enjoying an outstanding campaign: she has finished four of five technical races and reached the podium in all of them, winning three, which places her at the top of the discipline standings.
Last season’s overall leader Federica Brignone suffered a serious injury in the spring but is preparing determinedly for the Olympics. The key question remains how many races she will be able to contest before Cortina.
Dominant Shiffrin, struggling Ljutić
Mikaela Shiffrin has been untouchable in slalom this season, winning all five races so far. It is difficult to see who could challenge her in Cortina. She has also competed in giant slalom, where she has yet to reach the podium and currently sits fifth in the discipline standings. Shiffrin made one Super-G start but failed to finish after an unconvincing run.
Last season’s slalom discipline winner Zrinka Ljutić is experiencing a deep slump: she has managed only one podium in giant slalom and has failed to finish three slalom races. Whether Croatia’s biggest hope can regain form by the Olympics remains uncertain. Croatia’s last Olympic medal came in 2014, when Ivica Kostelić won silver, while the last gold dates back to Janica Kostelić in 2006.
Katharina Liensberger has also struggled this season, failing to reach the podium and finishing in the top six only twice, after being Ljutić’s main rival in slalom last year.
Consistent Rast, improving Robinson
Swiss skier Camille Rast has delivered a remarkably consistent season and has also improved her giant slalom performances. Switzerland is in need of positive results amid ongoing injury troubles. Rast has collected four podiums and currently ranks third in both slalom and giant slalom standings, sitting second in the overall race behind Shiffrin.
New Zealand’s 24-year-old Alice Robinson has emerged as a serious contender across multiple disciplines. She leads the Super-G standings and ranks second in giant slalom. While she was already strong in giant slalom last season, she had never reached a Super-G podium before this year. That has now changed, with one victory and a second-place finish already to her name.
Italy’s hope: Goggia
Italy continues to rely on the consistency of Sofia Goggia. Once again, she has been a regular presence near the top three this season. If she can reproduce this form at the Olympics, she will be a strong medal contender in downhill or Super-G. The experienced Italian has already collected three podium finishes this season.
Young challengers
Germany’s biggest hope is Emma Aicher, who has already reached three podiums this season. Uniquely within the field, Aicher has scored points in every discipline. This marks the third consecutive year in which she has done so, while steadily improving her rankings in each event. She currently sits second in the downhill standings and is already inside the top ten in slalom.
The recurring question remains: is there anyone capable of defeating Shiffrin? At the moment, it is hard to imagine, but if anyone has the potential, it may be Lara Colturi. At just 19 years old, her performances have been remarkable. She has already claimed four slalom podiums this season, and it is difficult to envision the Cortina podium in February without her.
Back on top
Downhill racing has received less attention so far, with much of the season still ahead. Nonetheless, it is Lindsey Vonn who currently leads the overall standings. Few would have predicted that she would not only win again after her comeback, but also lead the standings. Two remarkable statistics highlight her achievement:
- Oldest Alpine Skiing World Cup winner at age 41 (previously Didier Cuche at 37; among women, Federica Brignone at 34)
- Longest time between two victories: 14 March 2018 – 12 December 2025
Additionally, Vonn has broken the record for the most World Cup starts. During the St. Moritz weekend, she surpassed Renate Götschl’s record of 409 starts among women.
Gut-Behrami’s injury
Among the major names, Lara Gut-Behrami has been sidelined by injury, suffering an ACL tear that required surgery. She will certainly miss the Olympics. Having planned this as her final season, it remains uncertain whether she will ever return to competition. If not, Gut-Behrami’s career concluded with a third-place finish in Sölden.
Looking ahead to 2026
Based on the first half of the Olympic year, the women’s Alpine Ski World Cup is wide open, with experience, youth, and comebacks all playing a decisive role in Cortina. The season continues in Kranjska Gora for the women in early January with technical events.
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