Full Breakdown
Mikaela Shiffrin Extends Slalom Winning Streak in Semmering
12/29/2025, 9:20:45 PM
Dramatic Comeback in Challenging Conditions
Mikaela Shiffrin achieved a remarkable comeback to win the women's World Cup slalom in Semmering, Austria, on December 28, 2025. After finishing fourth in the first run, Shiffrin posted the fastest second run time of 53.58 seconds, bringing her total time to 1:48.82 and securing her sixth consecutive slalom victory. This win marked her 106th career World Cup victory and her 69th in slalom, further solidifying her status as the most successful skier in the sport's history.
The first run was fraught with difficulties, as the course conditions deteriorated rapidly, resulting in 39 of the 79 competitors failing to finish. Camille Rast of Switzerland led the first run with a time of 54.70 seconds, while Shiffrin trailed by 0.54 seconds. The challenging conditions prompted Shiffrin to advocate for adjustments to the course, which were made after consultation with the athletes.
Key Competitors and Their Performances
Rast finished the race in second place, just 0.09 seconds behind Shiffrin, while 19-year-old Lara Colturi, competing for Albania, secured third place, finishing 0.57 seconds back. Shiffrin's teammate Paula Moltzan, who had a rough day after a crash in the previous giant slalom, straddled a gate in the second run and did not finish.
Rast expressed satisfaction with her performance despite narrowly missing victory, stating, “Nine-hundredths is not a lot. The smallest mistake, and first place is there.” Colturi, reflecting on her performance, noted, “It was impossible to win, but I just tried to do my best,” emphasizing her commitment to pushing her limits.
Official Statements and Responses
Following her victory, Shiffrin described the day as “really hard” and acknowledged the pressure of the competition. She stated, “It didn’t feel like good. I didn’t expect to come down with the green light,” highlighting the intensity of the race. Shiffrin also remarked on the course conditions, saying, “It should be something the athletes want to do — not be terrified on the start.”
Criticism and Controversy
The race was not without controversy. Swiss-Ski considered lodging a protest regarding the course adjustments that favored Shiffrin and another competitor during the second run inspection. Swiss women's head coach Beat Tschuor noted, “They gave these two athletes more inspection time and that gave them an advantage,” raising concerns about fairness in competition.
What's Next for Shiffrin and the World Cup
Shiffrin's victory extends her lead in the slalom standings, now 220 points ahead of Colturi. The World Cup schedule includes three more slalom races in January before the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, where Shiffrin aims to compete in her best events, including slalom. The next races will take place in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, where Shiffrin will look to continue her winning streak.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It was a really hard day today, tough conditions, a really big fight, and the pressure's on.” — Mikaela Shiffrin
- “the smallest mistake, and first place is there.” — Camille Rast
- “It was impossible to win, but I just tried to do my best.” — Lara Colturi
Shiffrin's ability to rally from a deficit and her continued dominance in slalom racing underscore her status as a leading figure in alpine skiing as the Olympic season approaches.
