Moltzan Second, Shiffrin Third; Four Americans in Top 10

The Spindleruv Mlyn World Cup women’s giant slalom brought one of the strongest performances of the season from the Stifel U.S. Ski Team with Paula Moltzan charging to a second-place finish, and Mikaela Shiffrin taking third, her first time back on the giant slalom podium in 735 days. 

The strong results continued throughout the top 10, with Nina O’Brien snagging her career-best result in fifth and AJ Hurt in eighth. 

“Coming to the finish line and seeing Paula and Nina right there was crazy. I’ve never experienced that in my career—that was an indescribable moment,” said Shiffrin. 

On a technically demanding course in the Czech Republic, the women delivered two composed and powerful runs. Moltzan skied aggressively from start to finish, moving from fifth place in the first run to earn her third career World Cup podium in giant slalom behind winner Sara Hector from Sweden. It is Moltzan’s fourth podium of the season.

“I am really happy and counting down for my first win, but I am also so excited for my team right now—four girls in the top eighth, it's just amazing,” said Moltzan. 

Shiffrin, who has been a consistent top five giant slalom finisher during the 2025-26 season, crossed the line a mere five one hundredths behind Moltzan to complete the two-three American result. It was a moment of both relief and excitement, as Shiffrin has been building back her giant slalom skiing since sustaining a puncture wound at the Stifel Killington Cup in November 2024. She has also been vocal about the PTSD she has been working through since the crash. Her last GS podium was January 20, 2024, in Jasna, Slovakia. 

“It’s been over two years since I was on a giant slalom podium, and it’s been more than one year since I believed I could be on the podium in giant slalom,” said Shiffrin. 

This double podium and four women in the top eight not only highlight the depth and competitiveness of the Stifel U.S. Ski Team women in giant slalom but also underscore the team’s momentum as the season builds toward the Olympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina. The women’s team leads the standings in the overall Nations Cup, as well as the giant slalom, slalom and downhill disciplines. 

“Everybody is excited and positive and cheering for each other,” said Shiffrin. “But to find the balance between this team spirit and then the individual competitive spirit, it's really hard, and I feel like our team is doing that, which is just so wonderful to be part of.”

Katie Hensien and Elisabeth Bocock both skied fast, but did not finish the first run. They are OK. The women race the final slalom before the Olympic Winter Games on Sunday in Spindleruv Mlyn.

RESULTS
Giant slalom