Julia Scheib (AUT) soared to a giant slalom victory on home snow in Semmering, Austria (1:56.46). It was the 27-year-old’s third win, second in a row, of the 2025-26 FIS Alpine Ski World Cup season, and perhaps her most impressive yet as one-third of the entire field (22 out of 66 competitors) DNF’d amid difficult course conditions. 

Prior to the 2025-26 campaign, Scheib’s career résumé was fairly light, having earned only a single podium, which came in the form of a 2023 third place finish in Soldeu, Andorra in a team parallel event. Seemingly out of nowhere, Randy Orton-style, she's tallied three giant slalom triumphs in five races, holds a commanding lead in giant slalom Crystal Globe points and has emerged as a serious Winter Olympic medal contender in Milan Cortina. 

Camille Rast (SUI) secured second (+0.14), making it back-to-back runner-ups for the slalom world champion. With the absence of fellow countrywoman and Olympic gold medalist Lara Gut-Behrami (SUI), Rast has quietly put together a terrific season — and has only gotten better as it’s unfolded. Her last four results are fourth, fourth, second and second. In all nine of her races, she’s finished in the top 15, which includes six top fives and three podiums.    

Reigning Olympic gold medalist in giant slalom Sara Hector (SWE) rounded out the podium, finishing third (+0.40). It was her second podium effort in her last three contests.

Julia Scheib (AUT) celebrates on the podium after winning her second giant slalom race of the 2025-26 World Cup season at Mont Tremblant.

Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

105-time Cup winner Mikaela Shiffrin (USA), who has enjoyed tremendous success at Semmering — seven career wins — posted the fastest time of any American, placing sixth (+1.45). 

"Today was quite challenging," Shiffrin remarked. "It was very bumpy, and it's always dark here because it's in the shadow. So I think that so far this season, the second run was maybe the biggest test for me. I was really quite scared."

In addition to the tough environment, the 30-year-old is still attempting to find her footing in giant slalom, having yet to reach the podium in the discipline this season. The last time she won a GS race was almost two years ago exactly in Lienz, Austria, and she’ll have another crack at it next weekend.

Paula Moltzan (USA) took a scary tumble in her second run, falling hard on her back in Sector 3. It forced a race interruption, but Moltzan was able to walk off the course on her own power. The 33-year-old, who’s been throwing down the best skiing of her career, was fortunate to come away with what appeared to be limited physical damage.

After missing a little over a month of action due to a hip injury, AJ Hurt (USA) returned and nearly snuck into the top 20. It was an impressive first race back for the 25-year-old from Truckee, California, as she collected 10 points on a day in which crossing the finish line was a feat in itself. 

"I'm just really happy to be here," Hurt reflected afterwards. "I hate watching on the couch. It's really boring. So I'm glad to be here and be back with all the teammates and friends."

Alice Robinson (NZL), the leader in giant slalom points heading into Saturday’s event, crashed in her first run. She did not appear hurt, but the DNF caused the one of the season's breakout stars to fall to second place in the discipline standings. The Kiwi remains second in overall Cup points behind Shiffrin.

The women pick back up in Semmering on Sunday, as Shiffrin looks to extend her slalom winning streak to six (dating back to last season). Run 1 starts at 8:15 a.m. ET and Run 2 begins at 11:45 a.m. ET, both streaming live on Peacock.