BREAKING: Camille Rast has just ended Mikaela Shiffrin’s six-race slalom winning streak with a stunning back-to-back victory at the World Cup in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, on January 4, 2026. Rast’s impressive two-run time of 1 minute, 40.20 seconds places her firmly as Shiffrin’s top rival as the 2026 Olympics approach.
Rast’s triumph is significant, especially following the recent season-ending injury of Olympic silver medalist Katharina Liensberger and the ongoing recovery of defending champion Petra Vlhova. “I gave everything I had this weekend,” Rast stated after her victory on the Podkoren 3 slope. “Double on the same weekend is quite amazing. I’m so happy!”
Shiffrin, who had dominated the season with six consecutive wins, finished just 14 hundredths of a second behind Rast. “I pushed so hard and I’m very proud of my skiing,” Shiffrin commented. “Camille had beautiful skiing — both runs, she was just outstanding.”
The competition intensified as both skiers distanced themselves from the rest of the field, with Rast achieving the fastest final two sectors in run one, followed closely by Shiffrin. The duo’s battle highlighted the growing depth in women’s slalom skiing, which Shiffrin acknowledged, stating, “It’s been really impressive to see the women coming down, green light.”
Despite the fierce competition, several top skiers faced challenges. Zrinka Ljutic, the defending slalom cup champion, recorded her fourth DNF in six races. Paula Moltzan finished fourth, just 0.14 seconds behind third-place Wendy Holdener, expressing her determination to compete with the best.
Rast’s victories this weekend mark her second win and sixth podium of the season, elevating her standings in the slalom and overall rankings. She now sits in second place, demonstrating her emerging dominance on the circuit. Shiffrin reflected on the competitive landscape, saying, “Now we’re in the depth of the middle of the season and we have these incredible fights on the snow.”
Next up, the World Cup circuit continues with super-G and downhill events in Zauchensee. The next slalom is scheduled for January 13 in Flachau, where Shiffrin has previously triumphed five times, but Rast’s recent success adds a thrilling twist to the upcoming competitions.
Fans and fellow competitors are eager to see how this rivalry unfolds, as both skiers are set to push each other to new heights in the coming weeks. The excitement around the 2026 Olympics continues to build, and all eyes will be on Rast and Shiffrin as they gear up for their next showdown.
