UPDATE: In a thrilling display of resilience, Mikaela Shiffrin has clinched her sixth consecutive World Cup slalom victory in Semmering, Austria, on December 28, 2025. Shiffrin surged from fourth place after the first run, overcoming tough conditions that have historically challenged her.
Shiffrin’s second run was nothing short of spectacular, as she finished just 0.09 seconds ahead of Switzerland’s Camille Rast, who led after the first run. The victory marks Shiffrin’s fourth win on the Panorama slope, solidifying her dominance in the sport. “It was a really hard day today, tough conditions, a really big fight, and the pressure’s on,” Shiffrin stated during her post-race interview. “I did my best, my best possible run.”
Conditions were particularly harsh, with a crusty top layer and sugary snow beneath, leading to 39 skiers failing to finish. Shiffrin found herself facing her biggest deficit in a slalom win since 2013 but managed to rally, showcasing her exceptional skill.
The course setup drew criticism, with Shiffrin advocating for necessary adjustments after initial inspections revealed unsafe conditions. “It was going to be basically 15 meters, ski straight into a hairpin, which on this surface is not safe,” she explained. The FIS responded, making alterations to ensure a safer experience for all athletes.
Despite the challenges, Shiffrin delivered a powerful performance, clocking the fastest second run by 0.63 seconds. “What I did better was one less mistake,” she reflected on her performance compared to Rast’s. Even with the close finish, Rast praised the competitive weekend, stating, “Nine-hundredths is not a lot. You need two runs without mistake from top to bottom.”
The podium was rounded out by 19-year-old Lara Colturi, who secured third place, marking her fourth podium finish in five races. Colturi expressed her satisfaction with her performance, stating, “That’s amazing to finish the year with a podium.”
Shiffrin’s streak not only matches her best start to a slalom season since 2018-2019 but also extends her lead in the slalom cup standings by 220 points over Colturi. With three more races before the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, including two slaloms in March, Shiffrin is well-positioned for continued success.
As the women’s World Cup circuit shifts to Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, next weekend, all eyes will be on Shiffrin as she aims to extend her impressive streak. This victory underscores her incredible talent and determination in the face of adversity, making it a moment to remember in the alpine skiing community.
