Mikaela Shiffrin displays 'best skiing' for 103rd World Cup win in Gurgl as USA star shines ahead of Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games
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Updated 23/11/2025 at 16:14 GMT
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Mikaela Shiffrin secured a 103rd World Cup win in Gurgl with another masterclass on her second run. The American crossed the line 1.23 seconds ahead of second-place Lara Colturi and world champion Camille Rast in third to clinch her second slalom win in as many weeks, backing up her triumph in Levi. The three-time Olympic medallist now turns her attention to next weekend in Copper Mountain.
Highlights: Shiffrin stars with superb World Cup win in Gurgl
Video credit: TNT Sports
Mikaela Shiffrin’s slalom supremacy shows no sign of slowing - and the American star has warned her rivals she is now back to her best following two injury-ravaged campaigns.
Shiffrin made it two wins in eight days - and three straight FIS World Cup slalom victories - after delivering another commanding performance in Gurgl on Sunday.
With this result, she extended her record to a staggering 103 World Cup victories across all disciplines, including 66 wins specifically in slalom.
A week after dominating in Levi, Shiffrin once again proved untouchable.
She set the fastest time in the first run despite describing the snow as "hard to handle," then attacked the second with even more precision, increasing her advantage at every split.
She stopped the clock at 1:48.11 - 1.23 seconds ahead of Albania's rising 19-year-old Lara Colturi and 1.41 clear of Switzerland's Camille Rast, replicating last season's Gurgl podium.
"It was pretty much exactly how I expected," Shiffrin said. "Not easy, but I knew the others were pushing. So, there’s no choice. You have to go.
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'I had to push so hard' - Shiffrin on second successive slalom win in World Cup
Video credit: TNT Sports
"I had to push so hard. I was still stressed on the second run and in the end I’m so proud to pull off my best skiing again."
The win continues a remarkable resurgence for Shiffrin, who returned tentatively last winter after suffering a serious puncture wound during a giant slalom in Killington.
However, late-season slalom victories, followed by a strong summer training block, helped restore her confidence.
She opened this season with an encouraging fourth in the Solden giant slalom - her best GS result since the injury - before once again asserting total control in her signature event.
Sunday’s conditions added another layer of intrigue. The first run brought dry, aggressive snow that several top skiers failed to master, including Austria's Katharina Liensberger and Croatia's Zrinka Ljutic.
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'Very well executed plan' - Shiffrin in pole position with impressive first run in Gurgl
Video credit: TNT Sports
Americans AJ Hurt and Nina O'Brien both skied out, with Hurt sliding off course just before the finish. Paula Moltzan described the morning as "a bit chaotic," though she managed an eventual fifth-place finish.
The afternoon sun softened the surface just enough to change the feel entirely.
"It was actually great conditions - it was totally different from the first, it felt handle-able," Shiffrin reflected on her second run.
"From last year, I remember it was so dark, so this was a really nice surprise."
That shift allowed her to push even harder despite holding the lead, a mindset she said is important, adding: "It’s good for me to be pushing on the second run even if it gets a little rough."
Shiffrin relishing healthy competition
Colturi, the daughter of Olympic champion Daniela Ceccarelli, secured her fifth World Cup podium - and her first back-to-back podium finishes - despite initially believing the elements wouldn’t suit her.
"The conditions were really tough, unfortunately," she said. "Especially in soft snow, I don't have good feelings normally. But I really impressed myself too, so I'm really proud for what I've done today. I'm reminding myself that I can do it when conditions are not my best and I don't like them.
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'A supreme performance from the GOAT!' - Shiffrin does it again in Gurgl
Video credit: TNT Sports
"Now I'm realising that I'm improving every run, every race, every training, and I'm really excited about that."
Shiffrin, far from feeling threatened, welcomes the push.
"I’m excited for all the amazing Slalom skiing that’s happening right now and what’s possible for the future," she said.
With the Milan-Cortina Olympics fast approaching - live on TNT Sports and discovery+ - Shiffrin has re-established herself among the favourites to take slalom gold.
After a difficult Beijing Games and two injury-affected seasons, she appears once again in full command - and skiing with the confidence of someone who believes her best runs still lie ahead.
2025/26 FIS Alpine Ski World Cup: Result from women's slalom, Gurgl
- Mikaela Shiffrin (USA) 1:48.11
- Lara Colturi (ALB) +1.23
- Camille Rast (SUI) +1.41
- Wendy Holdener (SUI) +1.59
- Paula Moltzan (USA) +1.74
- Katharina Truppe (AUT) +2.05
- Lena Duerr (GER) +2.23
- Sara Hector (SWE) +2.24
- Emma Aicher (GER) +2.79
- Anna Swenn Larsson (SWE) +2.84
The 2026 Winter Games will take place from February 6-22, with the event shown live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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