Paula nails it!

Paula Moltzan in Sölden winner's chair. All good things in all good time.

    Late posting this exciting opening race. Paula Moltzan would say “About friggin’ time!!” A superb victory for one of WAWC’s brightest lights. Paula paid her dues, took her lumps, ground it out, etc. for 149 WAWC, 137 Nor-Am, 104 FIS, at least 43 NCAA, and about 25 European Cup starts, then nailed this race with 2x5th place runs, edging Lara Colturi by 0.01. (Lara was 6^th and 3d.) The post-race vibe clearly expressed the field’s happiness and appreciation for Moltzan’s win. She’s the oldest first-time WAWC victor. Head-to-head against Colturi and Emma Aicher (3d place; 9^th and 4^th), Paula beat the sport’s two youngest budding superstars. And she showed how two solid runs often brings home the goods, as the first run’s leading trio faltered badly next time down. The track was difficult, with new snow shortly before race time; some gusts, flat light 2^nd run, and steady flurries when Paula pushed off second time around. A sharp, thoroughly professional performance.

Course conditions prompted caution from some competitors. Just three DNFs, however, all on first run. Running bib 2, Julia Scheib leaned in, off-balance after a fast left-footer about half way. Her skis shot out from beneath her midway to the next gate. She flipped and took a heavy hit on her back. Skis stayed on; she slid to a stop in fresh snow at the netting. Took a while getting up. Apparently a knee felt sore, but no discernible injury. Whew.

NOTABLE stat: Of the Top-10 1^st run leaders, seven ranked within 21^st - 29^th  for the 2^nd run! This included Mikaela Shiffrin (1^st – 27^th); Sara Hector (2^nd – 22^nd); Camille Rast (3d – 21^st), whom you’d think would handle the ruts and visibility much better. Britt Richardson had a fantastic 1^st run for 4^th, then her skis went sideways mid-pitch 2^nd run and she’s finished 27^th. Bummer. But these folks aren’t machines.

    Maryna Gasienica-Daniel put down the fastest 2^nd run to tie for 9^th (from 29^th) with Franzi Gritsch, who went 15^th and 7^th. Alice Robinson ran a subpar 13^th and 8^th to finish 8^th, and is definitely irked. As I learned with Michelle Gisin, changing gear is often a big deal. Adapting to new skis and boots can take far longer than the off-season training regimen.

And I must mention how relieved I am, and I'm sure everyone who follows ski racing is, that Michelle retired. True integrity and intelligence, to put it bluntly. When you're 32, play to your strengths, even if they're changing. Very best wishes for a loving and healthy Life!!

Maryna Gasienica-Daniel at Sölden. Ripped fastest 2^nd run by 0.61.

Maryna was in the leader's chair longer than anyone.

   Held off a dozen competitors—went from 29^th to tie for 9^th.

Moltzan’s on Alldeer skis and in Van Deer boots. Both are manufactured by VAN DEER-Red Bull Sports Equipment, a company conceived by Marchel Hirscher, who won eight consecutive Overall titles—2012-19. He’s totally involved with the ski and boot design. With Red Bull as a 51% share partner/owner, Hirscher’s enterprise has enormous financial backing. (Unlike Bode Miller’s ill-fated ski-manufacturing venture…)

    Excelling out of the gate shows Paula’s in tune with her ungulate kit. Very impressive. Emphasizes her extreme skill; indicates that the gear is very good. (And very expensive. From what I see, US$ 1300 for boots; skis US$ 1500-2000.)   

Lara Colturi also has new gear: Head skis and boots, after a few seasons on Blizzard/Technica. I imagine she has a handsome contract. 2^nd place in season’s first race ain’t atall shabby—she may be another to adapt very quickly. And I understand she’ll be pursuing Super G this season. Selected courses, probably; it’s great to see a generational talent expanding her skills so quickly.

Lara Colturi on-song at Sölden.

Marta Bassino, one of my favorites, who was ready to storm the WAWC peak a few seasons ago, is dealing with injury recovery from dual fractures of her left tabial plateau October 2025, and is on new gear as well. (Changed to Head after almost twenty years on Salomon, I think.) Pushing off 28^th on 1^st run, she finished 43d, well off the cut. She skied just okay; 3.01 off the leader. Turns 31 late February. I so hope she makes it back!

Emma Aicher at Sölden. 9th and 4th best runs to take 3d place.

After GS 2xT10 in three full WAWC seasons, Emma begins 2026-27 with a podium.

If GS climbs to her other 3 Disciplines, she could well be Overall winner this year.

Petra Vlhova gave Sölden a game run. 11th best 1st run; finished 23d.

But her right knee held up. Levi on deck for her signature piste.

Paula grabbed 2nd run and didn't let go. Bumped Colturi to 2nd place by 0.01.

Cammi Rast hugs Paula in affection and congratulations.

Lara's happy too, and knows her first win is coming up, probably in Slalom.

Sölden 2026 GS podium - from left, Colturi (2nd), Moltzan (1st), Aicher (3d).

Something rarely explicated: How to lose a pole in four easy steps.

Reluctantly demonstrated by Neja Dvornik.

Neja finished, but a drag after 19th best 1st run and doing fine in 2nd.

Mikaela Shiffrin’s “exploratory” season—emphasizing Super G and GS; cutting back on SL—is magnificent, IMO. Choosing to skip Slalom races that she is nearly guaranteed to win, to seek discomfort and growth, is the definition of competitive integrity. Athletes who achieve dominance in their sport often, and I’d bet almost always, try to preserve that dominance—rack up more wins, become statistically Greater. Shiffrin's doing the opposite. She’s willingly forgoing Slalom victories and their contribution to her historical record, because she’s curious where her gift and determination will take her, and her sport. Pretty simple, in a way. We’re lucky to be watching it.

Mikaela Shiffrin expands by contracting. A sporting genius.

Per France’s situation addressed in earlier post: just one French woman competed at Soelden. Doriene Escane missed the top-30 cut for 2^nd run by 0.03. A strong effort. France has five other Tech racers on roster; I guess between injury rehab and GS prowess, Dorienne was the only one fit/qualified to run the opener. Rather sad, I think, for a national team so integral to the sport. (Eight French men competed from a Tech roster of eleven, with three making the cut. Quite an imbalance between the teams.)

SECOND RUN real-time notes:

26 October – Sölden GS

VANESSA KASPER – Clean fast start. Looks nice smooth fast upper pitch balanced; a touch conservative, but staying on line. Pretty good to my eye. Sunny most of the way down. Per Porino, 3.5 seconds faster than her first run. 

MARYNA GASIENICA-DANIEL – Should improve on 1^st. Pumping tuck from the start Grooving upper turns A fair amount of spray but tight turns. Solid. Lead by 1.67. Good job!

SIMONE WILD – Earnest start. Right into tuck and nice rhythm Scrubbing on turns ion main piste. A second off Maryna.

WENDY HOLDENER – Looking smooth at top, quick turns, A bit scrappy on piste but hanging in? Nice finishing section, but 0.80 back. She seems pleased to have the race complete.

LENA DUERR – Long tuck hold out of gate. Looking okay but a bit behind. Urgh, slow deliberate turns on pitch. So-so run.  0.85 off pace.

STEFANIE GROB – Flat light now. Nice first split, ahead by a third sec. Nice rhythm and but scrubbing coming onto ptich. Getting back onto it, but won't beat Maryna. 1.03 back.

LARA DELLA MEA – Excellent first slit. Aggrtessive. Ooh, scrubs coming onto pitch. Deliberate but still pushing. Committed. So-so. 0.61 back

ALICE PAZZAGLIA 9^th start. Measured but clean beginning. Creful onto pitch, staying consistent but not quick. Lossing more time than it looks like, to me. Wow. 2.46 behind.

NINA O’BRIEN – Flurries started. Fine upper section. A touch wild coming onto pitch but dialing it back in. Ohh, a scrub mid-pitch. Keeping on it. Thrown around a bit but pulls it back on again for finishing gates. Nice run. 0.57 for second place. Maryna has held off seven.

KIRA WEIDLE-WINKELMANN – Have seen Kira run GS just a few times. (*check her recent GS*) Tight start, has lead. Deliberate, looking sold, if safe. Ooo, a bit off-balance after left-footer on pitch. Okay for Speed gal. 1.04 back to sit 8^th.

HILMA LOEVBLOM – Good start. Line a touch wobbly but fast. Again, good but safe turns on pitch. Loses almost a second over mid-course; needs consistent turning both sides. But 0.53 gets 2^nd . Good improved run.

NEJA DVORNIK – Off for a year for injury. Okay but safe, and a bit loose. Loses right pole clipping gate mid-pitch! Shucks.  But completes run quite well considering. If it’s not one thing….

HANNA ARONSSON-ELFMAN – Fine first split. Loses a bit on flat before pitch. Deliberate, safe but rhythmic. Just not very fast. Picks back up after pitch. Into 5^th, 0.65 off pace. Hanna’s one of my projects. So good when on-form. Has had some foot issues. EOS SL 10^th 3 seasons ago. 24 years old—has time, but no time like the present.

ELISABETH BOCOCK – Nice first split. Pretty aggressive/committed Keeping lad on pitch. Nice looking. A third back off pitch split. 0.50 off for 2^nd. Solid run.

ASJA ZENERE – Good push off; 1.20 up first split. Onto pitch strong and rhythmic, looks pretty comfortable, Oh no. Big scrub at end of pitch. Lead down to 0.10. But pulls another 0.30 and takes 0.40 lead. Nice job, Asja! You too, Maryna. Twelve faster 1^st run competitors couldn’t catch you.

FRANZISKA GRITSCH – A vet looking for later-career flourish.

A.J. HURT Good first split, in least by quarter sec. Strong onto pitch, slight lead. Rhythmic but slipping speed, a half sec down. Tucks in well at end.  0.89 for 4^th place.

ALICE ROBINSON – Big gun with so-so first run. Wants this. Hits it fast, a smidge ahead at split. Leaning into it on pitch, tiny lead. Digginig nto turns but seems to hold them a touch long. Still leading. . Ohhh. Second by 0.29. Not happy. Pirino thinks a bit too intense. She’s also on new gear.

ZRINKA LJUTIC – A real fav. Want her to do well after big sophomore slump following 2025 Slalom title. Steady flurries. 3 hundredths ahead 2st split. Direct line, ohh, big scrub early on pitch. Darn. Recovers okay, looks pretty smooth. Clawing back some time. 0.63 for 5^th.

PETRA VLHOVA – Come on Petra! Quarter sec up first split. Looks okay, rhymthimic turns in bad light. A bit over 1. Second back. 1.36 for 14^th place. Shoot. But first WAWC start in over two seasons.  

THEA LOUISE STJERNESUND – Up first split, but twisted off-balance a touch right after. A bit out of sorts, looks like, though getting onto it for pitch.  Over a second back leaving pitch. Not the best run. Held her own on pitch, though, as error after first split accounted for almost all dropped time. Bummed; directly into exit. But gives Zenere a hug.

EMMA AICHER – Snowy and windy. Nice strong start. A quarter second up at split, alternately sun peeking through. 0.13 back mid-pitch. Grooving it. Very strong finishing section. 80.9 kmh (50 mph) off the pitch, field’s fastest so far. Takes lead by 0.20! Giant Slalom has been, by a significant margin—2026 EOS 18^th, 12 ranking places behind Slalom—her weakest discipline. Aicher will definitely shadow Shiffrin for Overall this season, and then assume Mikaela’s dominance after HH retires. Emma’s trajectory is straight up.

MINA FUERST HOLTMANN – Peacock replay skipped her

ESTELLE ALPHAND – Leading first split. Hit second run hanging in through the pitch. Looking very good; lost a bit end of pitch. 7^th at 0.98 back. Good job.

LARA COLTURI – Good start; leading 1^st split by 0.43. Nice tight line--direct and smooth, amazing skill. Links it all the way through. Wow. Takes lead by 0.51. She’s so good. 

PAULA MOLTZAN – Great start, leading 0.43 at split. Fast and hard, putting it out there. Arms a bit flying on turns, but still railing. 0.47 up. Pumping it. Takes Colturi by 0.01! Oh yeah Paula!!

BRITT RICHARDSON – Lost a bit on start. Working down rhythmically and ooh no Totally scrubbed/went sideways two gates from pitch ending. Too bad, Brett. Superb first run, though…

CAMILLE RAST – Lost lead by first split. Looks okay, but not quick. Perfunctory, not attacking. 1.10 off at two-thirds distance. Just not there. Shoot. 0.81 back, good for 5^th.

SARA HECTOR – Wind, snow again at start. Loses third of a second by first split. Off-balance, almost a second back mid-pitch. Rounding up by end of pitch but won’t get it done. Fourth place 0.63 off.

MIKAELA SHIFFRIN – Third second up first split. Totally flat light. Looking fairly smooth but just okay, ooh, a bit back on her skis. Not sharp. Paula’s gonna take it. 0.83 behind for 7^th.