It was an emotional day for Switzerland’s Camille Rast, who hails from near Crans-Montana, Switzerland. | Image: FIS Alpine
Saturday, December 3, saw the first World Cup race of the new year in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, which was hosting a Giant Slalom. Switzerland’s Camille Rast took home her first-ever World Cup Giant Slalom victory, while the Stifel U.S. Ski Team delivered one of its strongest collective Giant Slalom performances of the 2025-26 season.
Rast skied with composure and control across both runs to finish 0.20 seconds ahead of Austria’s Julia Scheib, with American Paula Moltzan rounding out the podium in third, 0.47 seconds back. The win was an emotional one for Rast, who competed wearing a black armband in remembrance of the victims of the recent fire in Crans-Montana. The Swiss skier, who hails from Vétroz, just 20 miles from the resort, dedicated her victory to the victims and their families, stating in her post-race interview that she hoped her win brought a smile to those at home during this difficult time.
Rast has been the rising star on the FIS Alpine World Cup technical circuit, claiming her first podium and later victory last season. Now the 26-year-old ski racer is sitting in second place in the overall season standings, right on the heels of legendary Mikaela Shiffrin—the winningest ski racer of all time.
The Giant Slalom podium in Kranjska Gora: Camille Rast 1st, Julia Scheib 2nd, Paula Moltzan 3rd. | Image: FIS Alpine
For the United States, Moltzan’s third-place finish marked her seventh career World Cup podium and a timely rebound after two DNFs the previous weekend. Skiing smoothly on firm, grippy snow under clear conditions, Moltzan put together two fast, composed runs to reassert herself among the world’s top giant slalom racers. “I’m really happy,” Moltzan said after the race. “It’s nice to come back after two DNFs last weekend and be back on the podium. It’s a confidence boost that I still belong here.” The result was made more impressive by the fact that Moltzan was still feeling the effects of a hard crash in Semmering just a week earlier, yet managed to push when it counted.
Sara Hector, meanwhile, delivered a strong second run-the fastest run 2 of the day—boosting her into a strong fourth place just 0.03 seconds behind Moltzan.
Austria’s Scheib and USA’s Moltzan rounded out the podium behind Switzerland’s Rast. | Image: FIS Alpine
Behind her, Mikaela Shiffrin continued her steady progress in the discipline, finishing fifth, less than two-tenths of a second off the podium. It marked her third top-five giant slalom result of the season as she continues to rebuild confidence following her crash in Killington, Vermont, last season. “I would like to be faster, but I’m taking steps, and I feel very good with that,” Shiffrin said. “It’s pretty incredible to be here one year later and to be in the mix with the fastest women right now.”
Nina O’Brien added another solid result in eighth, delivering two controlled runs to remain firmly competitive, while Elisabeth Bocock broke through a stretch of frustration to record a career-best 14th place. Bocock qualified for the second run in 22nd and charged on run two, a major confidence boost after multiple recent DNFs. “I’m so relieved to be able to get one down after the first run,” Bocock said. “I tried to push more second run, which was a good game plan.” AJ Hurt finished 25th to score World Cup points, while Mary Bocock did not qualify for the second run.
A fantastic day for Team USA. | Image: U.S. Ski & Snowboard
The race also saw some upset, with favorite Alice Robinson spinning out on run 1–her second consecutive Giant Slalom DNF. The New Zealander, who had skied in the red bib until last week’s DNF, was struggling to find her rhythm on the course set by her own coach. Likewise, Zrinka Ljutic in bib 5 struggled to find her usual confidence on the course, finishing in a far-off 22nd place.
Saturday’s Giant Slalom marked the first women’s World Cup race of the new year, and the depth of the American results stood out, with four U.S. skiers inside the top 15. The women will remain in Kranjska Gora and return to action Sunday for a Slalom, where momentum—and confidence in your technical skills—will again be tested on one of the World Cup’s staple courses.