Camille Rast successful her frst World Cup/ GEPA photos
Rast Dominates in Kranjska Gora
Camille Rast (SUI), carrying bib 1 right now, stayed in first place all through. “It’s wonderful,” Rast mentioned. “However this weekend, my hometown was affected by a tragic accident, so my ideas are with these households. We raced for them this weekend, and that made it very emotional.” She got here out attacking from the beginning on her second run, snowboarding with distinctive effectivity by way of the important thing center part earlier than the ultimate pitch. “The primary run was actually obscure how one can ski it,” she mentioned. “The second run was enjoyable, however it wasn’t simple. I needed to keep targeted all the best way down.”
Emotionally charged, Rast skied not only for herself however for her folks, paying tribute to the tragedy in Crans-Montana over the New 12 months. Executing a sensible tactical method that stored her on line whereas many others struggled to keep up velocity by way of the terrain, she showcased each her ability and her resilience.
“I really feel like I’ve discovered race freedom now,” Rast mentioned. “I’m within the rhythm, and I’m simply attempting to maintain rocking and having enjoyable on the skis.” Her efficiency right now highlighted not solely her expertise but in addition her coronary heart and dedication.
Scheib and Moltzan’s Tactical Brilliance Earns Podium Spots
Julia Scheib (AUT) climbed from fifth after the primary run to safe second place on the rostrum. With 3 GS victories and 5 podiums this season, she displayed constant, calculated snowboarding, sustaining velocity all through the course. Her tactical method and precision within the center part allowed her to rise above the competitors and proceed her sturdy season. She made nice adjustment into run 2 type run 1 and it confirmed along with her transfer to the rostrum and gaining invaluable factors towards the GS globe.
Paula Moltzan (USA), presently seventh within the World Cup GS rankings, continues to impress. After two DNFs final weekend, this podium end was a welcome confidence enhance.
“I’m actually completely satisfied,” Moltzan mentioned. “After two DNFs final weekend, it felt good to return again and be again on the rostrum. It was a confidence test that I nonetheless belong right here. It appears like one other field checked. It exhibits this isn’t a one-hit surprise and that I can do it run after run.”
On the second run, she had a robust begin and navigated the center part properly, though she misplaced a little bit time in comparison with Julia Scheib. Moltzan made up floor on the underside pitch, ending in third and incomes one other podium. “We have been fortunate that the snow was actually good right now,” she added. “It allow you to management the velocity the best way you needed, which makes it simpler to go all in on a race like this.” Watching her snowboarding develop this season has been thrilling, and her trajectory factors to large issues in 2026.
Unforgettable Second Runs
Sofia Goggia (ITA) delivered a exceptional second run, beginning twenty seventh and transferring up with a tactical method and clear, attacking snowboarding that had her holding the winners’ chair for a lot of the race. Her mastery of the difficult center part set a typical few might match, finally ending the day in eleventh.
🇮🇹 Sofia Goggia — Bib 11Start: twenty seventh → End: eleventh (+16)
Sara Hector (SWE) delivered a brave second run, successful it by 0.35 seconds and transferring into fourth place total. Whereas simply shy of the rostrum, Hector’s efficiency will present confidence transferring ahead.
Maryna Gasienica-Daniel (POL) additionally impressed, ending seventh after an aggressive second run, displaying regular enchancment all through the season that has been actually enjoyable to observe.
Elisabeth Bocock (USA) appeared like she was nonetheless looking for the end line within the first run, one thing she has struggled with in previous races. For the second run, she was in a position to shake off these nerves and ski with the assured, flowing type she has proven glimpses of this season, ending 14th and demonstrating the potential for even stronger leads to upcoming races.
“I’m truthfully simply actually relieved,” Bocock mentioned. “After just a few robust races and a few DNFs, it felt so good to place one down. Even after the primary run, I used to be relieved simply to make it to the end. The primary run didn’t really feel nice, however I trusted my coach’s plan. The purpose was to make it down the primary run after which actually push the second run, so I’m tremendous proud of how that labored.”
“The snow is tough however not slick, which feels wonderful,” she added. “After Semmering, it’s good to ski on a floor the place you possibly can actually really feel assured and assault. I wish to take the arrogance from right now, however maintain pushing. Tomorrow is slalom, so it’s a complete new problem.”
🇺🇸Elisabeth Bocock — Bib 31Start: twenty second → End: 14th (+8)
North American Surge
It was a robust day for North American skiers, with Paula Moltzan on the rostrum, Mikaela Shiffrin ending fifth, and Nina O’Brien impressing in eighth. Final season, Shiffrin was watching this race from her sofa, nonetheless working by way of a horrific crash that led her to talk brazenly about PTSD and the psychological challenges of returning to racing. At the moment, she confirmed vital progress. Though she made just a few errors on her second run, her snowboarding was tactical and aggressive, pushing her line and taking calculated dangers, a transparent signal that she is regaining her GS confidence. O’Brien, coming off a number of years of battling by way of a tricky damage, demonstrated full assault regardless of just a few errors, displaying resilience and dedication. We’ll see extra from her for certain.
“It was a completely strong day,” O’Brien mentioned. “I had some moments of actually good snowboarding, and I’m feeling good on my skis total. There are nonetheless just a few spots I can clear as much as be quicker, however it’s a pleasant begin to 2026. I’m taking numerous positives from right now,” she mentioned. “The velocity is there, and now it’s about cleansing issues up. It feels actually good to see everybody have a robust day collectively,” O’Brien mentioned. “We’ve recognized the velocity is there, and I feel there’s much more to return.”
The American contingent additionally included AJ Harm, who completed twenty fifth right now. Coming back from a hip damage that sidelined her at the beginning of the season and restricted her time on snow, she made a formidable step again into the GS area.
Canadian skiers confirmed sturdy snowboarding into the brand new yr, with Valérie Grenier snowboarding confidently on difficult sections and discovering consistency, although she most likely would have needed a bit extra right now after successful in Kranjska Gora in 2023 and 2024. Britt Richardson displayed velocity regardless of errors, ending twelfth, whereas Cassidy Grey’s Sixteenth-place end additional highlights the depth and power of the North American athletes on this aggressive area.
Excessive Competitors, A number of Lead Adjustments
The chilly situations in Kranjska Gora and a barely simpler second-run course didn’t stop surprises. The center part earlier than the underside pitch challenged many, leading to seven lead adjustments all through the second run. This area of GS feminine athletes is so deep that on any day, any of the highest 15 might declare victory. At the moment highlighted each the unpredictability of the game and the expertise of the athletes.
Wanting Forward to Kronplatz
Up subsequent is the large slalom in Kronplatz, and the anticipation is constructing. Can Alice Robinson discover the end line after latest struggles? Will Federica Brignone make a comeback—rumor has it she might be again in motion? And might Camille Rast carry her momentum ahead after a dominant efficiency in Kranjska Gora? With such a deep and proficient area, the subsequent Big Slalom race is shaping as much as be full of pleasure and drama.
Race Outcomes
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Second Run Evaluation: Prime Three and Different Prime 30 North Individuals
