Mikaela Shiffrin Triumphs in Stifel World Cup Finals Slalom, Zrinka Ljutić Clinches the Slalom Globe
The final slalom race of the Stifel FIS World Cup Finals in Sun Valley Resort unfolded in front of an electrified crowd, their cheers and ringing cowbells echoing across the mountain. The excitement was palpable, setting the stage for a high-stakes event that would determine the season’s best slalom skiers.
The second run’s course design introduced frequent rhythm changes, forcing the competitors to stay alert and adapt quickly. Every athlete had to navigate the challenging terrain with precision and control to maximize their chances of victory.
Mikaela Shiffrin’s Commanding Performance and 101st Career Win
Despite the heightened energy of the home crowd, **Mikaela Shiffrin of the Stifel U.S. Ski Team** maintained her composure throughout both runs. Rather than letting the pressure affect her, she used the support as motivation, skiing with increasing intensity from start to finish.
Shiffrin crossed the finish line victorious, securing her **fourth slalom win of the season** and further extending her remarkable record to **101 career World Cup victories**. Her performance also earned her enough points to conclude the season ranked **4th overall in the slalom standings**, despite missing multiple races due to injury.
Reflecting on her performance, Shiffrin shared,
*”It is super meaningful to have this strong performance today. I really skied my best, the best I could possibly do, especially with these conditions, which are normally quite a challenge. Ending the season with this level of skiing gives me a lot of energy going into preparation time.”*
Her **head coach, Karin Harjo, expressed immense pride in Shiffrin’s achievement, stating,
*”We all just went ‘wow.’ This is something we’ve been working really hard on in training, specifically seeking out ruts and grooves in challenging conditions so she can ski with that confidence and take on the speed she knows she can generate.”*
Harjo emphasized that this victory was well-earned through relentless effort, adding,
*”It couldn’t be better. It’s a dream, especially for her, because of all the hard work she puts in day in and day out. All of us are so proud of her.”*
Zrinka Ljutić Claims Her First Slalom Crystal Globe
While Zrinka Ljutićof Croatia finished the Sun Valley race in 10th place, the result was still enough to secure her **first-ever Slalom World Cup globe. As she waited anxiously at the finish line, Ljutić knew that several competitors had the potential to overtake her in the overall standings. However, since none of the top contenders managed to place in the top three, she officially secured the title.
Ljutić was overcome with emotion, stating,
*”Oh, it feels amazing. I still haven’t fully processed it. But this is everything I’ve worked for in my life. I sort of made it today, so I’m really happy.”*
Recalling the pressure before her final run, she admitted,
*”I have never felt so nervous. This will be a great learning experience moving forward—I feel like I gained valuable perspective and tools that I can take into the Olympics next year and beyond.”*
She also took a moment to acknowledge Mikaela Shiffrin’s impact on the sport, saying,
*”She is one of a kind. Her skiing is out of this world, and she has been so consistent. Coming back from injury like this—it was a masterpiece. I have a lot to work on going into next season.”*
Liensberger and Rast Secure 2nd and 3rd in Season Standings
Austria’s Katharina Liensberger entered the second run in 4th place, just two-tenths of a second away from a podium position. She knew that a top-three finish was necessary to claim the overall slalom title. Though she skied with determination, she ultimately missed the podium but still finished 2nd in the season standings.
Meanwhile, Switzerland’s Camille Rast, who had been just behind Ljutić after the first run, started her final attempt from 14th place more than a second behind a podium position. She delivered an aggressive performance, managing to gain ground, but ultimately couldn’t break into the top five. Nevertheless, her efforts secured her a 3rd-place ranking in the overall slalom World Cup standings, marking the highest finish of her career.
Swiss veteran Wendy Holdener had also entered the Sun Valley race with an outside shot at the slalom globe. After finishing 3rd in the first run, she needed to win the race outright to challenge Ljutić. Despite a solid second run, she placed 4th on the day and ended the season ranked 6th in slalom.
A Nail-Biting Podium Finish in Sun Valley
Germany’s Lena Dürr and Slovenia’s Andreja Slokar delivered thrilling performances, finishing just one-hundredth of a second apart. Dürr’s 2nd-place finish marked her 16th career World Cup slalom podium and her 4th of the season, securing her 5th in the overall standings.
Meanwhile, Slokar recorded her second career slalom World Cup podium her first this season with an outstanding second run. She closed the season ranked 12th in slalom.
Paula Moltzan Battles Through Injury for a Strong Finish
American skier Paula Moltzan, representing the Stifel U.S. Ski Team, launched into the course with an aggressive start, taking the lead through the upper section. As she transitioned into the more technical midsection, she lost some time but regained speed toward the finish, ultimately placing 6th in the race.
Moltzan later revealed that she had been racing through significant pain after injuring her ankle in a previous crash.
*”Today, I was fighting a lot of demons. I was in a lot of pain—I hurt my ankle when I crashed, so it was mind over matter.”*
Despite the physical challenges, she celebrated a personal milestone, saying,
This season has been one for the books. I’ve scored the most World Cup points of my career, and that feels pretty good. It’s been a rollercoaster with highs and lows, but I’m proud of myself and the team. We’re excited to see what next year brings.”*
North American Skiers’ Performances
Canada’s Laurence St-Germain was the first North American skier to take on the second run. She had been dissatisfied with her first-run performance but pushed hard in her final attempt. While she handled the most technical sections well, she lost time in the final gates, ultimately finishing 20th
Her teammate Ali Nullmeyer followed, aiming to break into the top 15. She delivered a strong run, steadily gaining time over her competitors, and ultimately finished 9th, earning valuable World Cup points to close out her season.
Conclusion
The Stifel World Cup Finals in Sun Valley delivered thrilling performances, from Mikaela Shiffrin’s commanding 101st career win to Zrinka Ljutić’s first-ever slalom crystal globe.While several top athletes battled for the season title, Ljutić ultimately emerged victorious.
The competition showcased dramatic comebacks, high-stakes performances, and moments of resilience that set the stage for an exciting 2025-26 World Cup season—and an intense lead-up to the 2026 Winter Olympics.
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