Mikaela Shiffrin secured her first podium finish in a World Cup giant slalom in two years, placing third in Spindleruv Mlyn, Czechia, ahead of the Milan Cortina Olympics. Defending Olympic champion Sara Hector won the race, marking her first victory since January 2025, while Shiffrin’s teammate Paula Moltzan finished second. Shiffrin, the record holder for most career World Cup GS wins, hadn’t reached the podium in 11 events, struggling with injuries and PTSD before this season. The U.S. team performed strongly overall, with Nina O’Brien and AJ Hurt finishing fifth and eighth, respectively.
