At a Glance
- Swiss skier Camille Rast wins World Cup giant slalom in Crans-Montana
- She dedicates victory to victims of a bar fire that killed 40 people
- Crans-Montana hosts World Cup speed races before Milan Cortina Olympics
- Why it matters: The win shows resilience and honors those affected by tragedy while setting the stage for upcoming Olympic events
In a dramatic finish on the slopes of Crans-Montana, Swiss skier Camille Rast claimed her first World Cup giant slalom victory, celebrating with a gesture that honored the victims of a deadly bar fire in her hometown.
The Win and Dedication
Rast crossed the finish line with arms up, then tapped a black mourning band on her left upper arm twice and made a heart sign.
Camille Rast said:
> “This week, in my hometown, there was a tragical accident and I think about those families. We race for them this weekend,”
Camille Rast added:
> “It was a difficult week. But sport has so many emotions, so I tried to do my best and give some good emotions to those people.”
- Camille Rast – 1st
- Julia Scheib – 2nd (0.2 behind)
- Paula Moltzan – 3rd (0.47 behind)
- Mikaela Shiffrin – 5th (just over a second behind)
- Sara Hector – fastest second-run time
Context and Background
Rast’s victory comes a week after a second-place finish in Austria, her best career result in the discipline at that time. Her two previous World Cup wins were in slalom, most recently in January 2025, the same month she claimed the world title in that event.
| Position | Skier | Time Gap |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Camille Rast | – |
| 2 | Julia Scheib | 0.2 |
| 3 | Paula Moltzan | 0.47 |
| 5 | Mikaela Shiffrin | – |
| – | Sara Hector | – |
The race is part of the World Cup speed series, with Crans-Montana scheduled to host women’s speed races on Jan. 30-31 and men’s on Feb. 1, the final events before the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.
Team Highlights
U.S. teammate Paula Moltzan, who finished third, described the event as a fun team experience. She said: “It’s a really fun team to be a part of,” adding “I mean, I never really know who is going to be quite the fastest in training, but I also feel that way on race day.”
Paula Moltzan added:
> “I am actually happy and a bit relieved. Last week, it was extremely difficult for me. I’m still not feeling maybe a 100%. So to be able to pull it off feels really nice. I have some bruising on my spine.”
Paula Moltzan continued:
> “Basically any time I hit a bump doesn’t really feel that good. So lucky that the snow is actually quite smooth here, so it feels less painful.”
Mikaela Shiffrin said:
> “Happy and satisfied are different, because I would like to be faster, but I’m taking steps and I feel very good with that,”
Mikaela Shiffrin added:
> “Last year, I remember watching this race from home and I thought, ‘Oh, I can’t do that.’ So, it’s pretty incredible to be here one year later and to be in the mix with the fastest women right now.”
Julia Scheib, who has won three races this season, extends her lead in the giant slalom standings, trailing Rast by 119 points. Shiffrin remains in the overall lead, 140 points ahead of Rast.
Key Takeaways
- Camille Rast’s first World Cup giant slalom win is a personal milestone and tribute to bar fire victims.
- The race sets the stage for Crans-Montana’s speed events before the Winter Olympics.
- U.S. skiers Moltzan and Shiffrin highlight team spirit and recovery from injury.
Rast’s triumph not only marks a personal milestone but also underscores how alpine skiing can rally communities in the face of tragedy, while the World Cup circuit continues to build momentum ahead of the Olympic Games.
