Alpine Skiing Season Wraps Up, Setting the Stage for a Thrilling 2026 Olympics
KETCHUM, Idaho– The women’s super-G podium at the Alpine Skiing World Cup Finals featured three of the sport’s most decorated athletes—Lara Gut-Behrami, Lindsey Vonn, and Federica Brignone. Together, they boast an impressive 323 podium finishes, 167 career victories, eight overall season titles, 22 world championship medals, and nine Olympic medals.
Yet, despite their long-standing dominance, this was the first time all three stood on the same podium at a major event.
The competition in Sun Valley was fierce. Brignone secured victories in the downhill, giant slalom, and overall season standings. Meanwhile, Switzerland’s Gut-Behrami delivered a flawless super-G performance to claim the event win, narrowly overtaking Brignone for the super-G season title. Vonn, returning to competition at 40 years old, finished second, positioning herself as a potential medal contender at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics, where she will be 41.
On Thursday, Mikaela Shiffrin claimed her 101st career World Cup victory with a slalom win in the season’s final race. Despite missing much of the season due to injury, Shiffrin remains determined to train for giant slalom in addition to her signature discipline.
The Top Contenders for 2026
As Alpine skiers enter the offseason, the key names to watch for the next Olympics have become clear.
Federica Brignone (Italy)
Brignone, 34, had her strongest season yet, winning 10 races and claiming her second overall World Cup title. She is expected to be a leading contender for Olympic gold on home soil.
Her teammate, Sofia Goggia, a four-time World Cup downhill champion, also had a strong season, matching her career-best third-place finish in the overall standings. The two Italian skiers are seen as the country’s best hopes for Olympic success.
Brignone acknowledged the added pressure of competing at home:
*”The Olympics are huge, and hosting them makes it even more special. I hope our team can stay calm and perform at our best because these courses will be unforgettable.”*
Goggia, 32, echoed her teammate’s enthusiasm, emphasizing the competitive spirit within their team:
*”Federica and I push each other and our teammates hard. When top athletes compete, everyone elevates their game.”*
Lara Gut-Behrami (Switzerland)
The 32-year-old Gut-Behrami secured her third consecutive super-G season title with a dominant win in Sun Valley. As the reigning Olympic gold medalist in super-G, she is well-positioned to defend her title in 2026.
She also highlighted the advantage of experience in speed events:
*”In super-G, experience is key. The more races you’ve skied, the better you understand the courses and the faster you can go.”*
Lindsey Vonn (United States)
Vonn’s return to professional skiing has defied expectations. After retiring in 2019 due to injuries, she returned to competition this season and immediately proved she could still compete with the best.
*”People said I was too old to ski when I retired at 33,”* Vonn remarked. *”But Brignone just won the overall title at 34, and Lara is still going strong. Age is just a number. If you stay healthy and motivated, anything is possible.”*
With 43 career downhill wins (the most in history) and 28 super-G victories, Vonn is already a legend. Now, she’s determined to add one final chapter to her career at the Milan-Cortina Olympics before retiring for good.
Mikaela Shiffrin (United States)
Shiffrin remains the dominant force in slalom, winning four World Cup races in the discipline this season. She now holds an unmatched 64 career slalom wins—nearly double the second-highest total.
However, she faces the challenge of rebounding from a disappointing 2022 Olympics, where she failed to finish in three of her six events and left without a medal. With her primary rival, Petra Vlhová, sidelined for over a year due to injury, Shiffrin is determined to reclaim Olympic gold.
Beyond Vonn and Shiffrin, the U.S. team has rising stars. Lauren Macuga, 22, won her first World Cup super-G race in January, while Breezy Johnson took a surprise downhill gold at the world championships. Paula Moltzan also impressed with a giant slalom bronze.
The Men’s Competition: Marco Odermatt’s Dominance
On the men’s side, Switzerland’s Marco Odermatt has firmly established himself as the world’s best skier. The 27-year-old has now won four consecutive overall World Cup titles, sweeping the downhill, super-G, and giant slalom season titles for the second straight year. With 45 career World Cup wins, he is already sixth on the all-time list.
In men’s slalom, Norway’s **Henrik Kristoffersen** won his fourth season title after a tight race against Switzerland’s Loïc Meillard and fellow Norwegian Timon Haugan. Kristoffersen admitted the battle took a toll on him, even suggesting he might step away from competition.
Lindsey Vonn’s Comeback Adds to Olympic Excitement
The biggest surprise of the season has been Vonn’s return. Just four months into her comeback after nearly six years away, she has positioned herself as a legitimate medal threat for the 2026 Olympics.
Last week, she attended an event to promote her new clothing line at a ski lodge near Sun Valley. Fans lined up for autographs and photos while a DJ played music in the background. The scene felt like a retirement celebration—but Vonn is far from done.
I know I belong on the podium next year, she said confidently.
As the 2024-25 World Cup season comes to a close, the excitement for the Milan-Cortina Olympics is already building. With a mix of seasoned veterans and rising stars, Alpine skiing is set for a thrilling showdown on the world’s biggest stage.
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