UPDATE: In a stunning turn of events, Camille Rast has ended Mikaela Shiffrin’s remarkable streak of six consecutive slalom victories, clinching back-to-back wins at the World Cup in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, on January 4, 2026. Rast’s impressive two-run time of 1 minute, 40.20 seconds puts her in the spotlight as a serious contender for the upcoming 2026 Olympics.
Rast’s victory not only signifies a remarkable achievement but also establishes her as Shiffrin’s chief rival in slalom, especially after Olympic silver medalist Katharina Liensberger suffered a season-ending MCL injury. Defending champion Petra Vlhova is still recovering from a serious knee injury, but Rast’s performance underscores a shifting dynamic in the competitive landscape of women’s skiing.
“I gave everything I had this weekend,” Rast declared post-race. “Double on the same weekend is quite amazing. I’m so happy. It was a little bit a battle, but I had a lot of fun.” Her words reflect a thrilling weekend on the Podkoren 3 slope, where she exhibited exceptional skill and determination.
Shiffrin, despite her loss, expressed pride in her performance, especially during the second run. “I pushed so hard and I’m very proud of my skiing,” she noted. “Camille had beautiful skiing — both runs, she was just outstanding.”
The slalom event featured fierce competition as Rast and Shiffrin quickly distanced themselves from the rest of the field. Rast’s performance was further highlighted by her fastest final two sectors, which allowed her to edge Shiffrin, who was a mere tenth of a second behind. Swiss teammate Wendy Holdener secured third place, finishing 1.83 seconds back.
The excitement continues as the World Cup circuit gears up for more challenging events. Following this weekend’s races, the next slalom is scheduled as a night race on January 13, 2026, in Flachau, where Shiffrin has historically excelled, winning five times previously. However, Rast’s recent triumph adds a new layer of intensity to the competition.
Notably, some of skiing’s top athletes faced struggles during their first runs. Zrinka Ljutic, the defending slalom cup champion, recorded a DNF for the fourth time in six races, while Lara Colturi fell on a course set by her father and coach, Alessandro Colturi.
Shiffrin remarked on the impressive depth of talent in the women’s field, stating, “It’s been really impressive to see the women coming down, green light, like so many are doing such a good job.” Her competitive spirit and acknowledgment of the rising talent reflect the evolving nature of the sport.
Rast’s victory marks her second this season and places her firmly in contention for the top positions in the slalom and overall standings. “I think it’s pretty amazing to see how the show has developed over the season,” Shiffrin said, emphasizing the thrill of competition.
As the World Cup circuit heads to Zauchensee for the next super-G and downhill events, fans and athletes alike are eager to witness what unfolds next as the drama of the season intensifies. The stakes are higher than ever as Rast and Shiffrin prepare for their next showdown, promising an exhilarating continuation of the competitive spirit in alpine skiing.
