In an exciting turn of events at the World Championships in Saalbach, Austria, Camille Rast clinched her first gold medal in slalom. The 25-year-old Swiss skier outperformed her teammate Wendy Holdener by 46 hundredths of a second, showcasing her skill on the slopes.
Rast set the fastest time in the first run, leading by 58 hundredths, and despite having the fourth-fastest second run, she maintained her lead to secure gold. Holdener took home the silver medal, while Austrian skier Katharina Liensberger earned the bronze, finishing just ahead of American Paula Moltzan and ski star Mikaela Shiffrin, who was in the mix after returning from an injury.
Shiffrin, who made a comeback after being sidelined for two months due to surgery, reflected on the challenges of balancing competition and recovery. “It’s a bit strange coming back midseason, especially for the championships,” she said. Yet, she was pleased with her earlier gold medal in the team event.
Rast has had a remarkable season. She started without any World Cup podium finishes but now leads the slalom standings following two victories. Her growth as an athlete has been impressive, especially coming from a background in mountain biking.
The U.S. team also had a breakthrough moment at these world championships. For the first time, four American women won medals: Breezy Johnson in downhill, Johnson and Shiffrin in the team event, Moltzan in giant slalom, and Lauren Macuga in super-G. “It’s incredible where we are as a team,” Shiffrin noted, highlighting the team’s achievements.
Moltzan, who narrowly missed her second medal, expressed her feelings about the close finishes in skiing. “Some days you’re on the right side of the hundredths, and some days you’re on the wrong,” she said. She had previously won her first-ever world medal in giant slalom by just a hundredth of a second.
For Shiffrin, this marked the first time she did not stand on the slalom podium since 2013. “I’m getting closer,” she said about her recovery after surgery. “It’s been a journey, and perspective matters.” She explained that the injury was serious, almost causing damage to internal organs.
Next, the World Cup events will continue in Sestriere, Italy. Shiffrin, holding an impressive 99 World Cup victories, aims to add more to her record.
2025 Women’s Slalom Results
Gold: Camille Rast (SUI) — 1:58.00
Silver: Wendy Holdener (SUI) — +0.46
Bronze: Katharina Liensberger (AUT) — +1.32
4. Paula Moltzan (USA) — +1.34
5. Mikaela Shiffrin (USA) — +1.37
6. Andreja Slokar (SLO) — +1.53
7. Katharina Truppe (AUT) — +2.03
8. Lena Duerr (GER) — +2.45
9. Zrinka Ljutic (CRO) — +2.73
10. Marion Chevrier (FRA) — +3.11
19. AJ Hurt (USA) — +5.70
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