Published October 23, 2026 08:51 AM
The formidable Rettenbach Glacier above Sölden, Austria, once again plays host to the curtain-raiser for the FIS Alpine World Cup, a season-opening giant slalom that historically dictates the early momentum for the entire campaign. In the 2025-26 season, the United States women’s alpine ski team made an indelible mark on this iconic slope, securing an impressive six top-19 finishes. Leading this charge was Paula Moltzan, who achieved a podium finish, with Mikaela Shiffrin and Nina O’Brien closely following in fourth and sixth place, respectively. This collective strong performance served as a powerful harbinger of the success that would define their subsequent season.
The momentum generated at Sölden proved to be a significant catalyst for the U.S. women throughout the 2025-26 World Cup circuit. Their consistent high-level performances culminated in a historic achievement: the United States capturing the women’s Nations Cup for the very first time. This prestigious award, bestowed upon the nation whose skiers amass the most World Cup points across the season, underscored the remarkable depth and talent present within the U.S. roster, particularly in the demanding technical disciplines of slalom and giant slalom. Mikaela Shiffrin and Paula Moltzan were instrumental in this success, collectively earning 16 World Cup podium finishes in their signature events. Their stellar performances were further bolstered by crucial points contributed by O’Brien, AJ Hurt, Elisabeth Bocock, and Katie Hensien, showcasing a well-rounded and competitive team.
As the calendar turns to the 2026-27 season, the pivotal question on the minds of alpine skiing enthusiasts is whether the U.S. women can replicate their previous year’s dominance at the 2026 World Cup opener, scheduled for October 24-25 on the challenging slopes of Sölden’s Rettenbach Glacier.
The Elite Field Assembled for Sölden
The core group of athletes who competed at last year’s Sölden opener are returning, ready to test their mettle once again on the demanding Rettenbach Glacier. The familiar faces who earned valuable World Cup points in the previous year are back, poised to build upon their past successes.
Leading the charge for the American contingent is Mikaela Shiffrin, who is reportedly placing a renewed emphasis on the giant slalom discipline this season. While Shiffrin has long been the undisputed queen of slalom, her focus is shifting towards the discipline that presented a significant challenge earlier in her career. A severe crash in the 2024 Killington giant slalom resulted in a serious abdominal puncture wound, an injury that not only sidelined her but also necessitated a journey through post-traumatic stress. Her return to giant slalom was a testament to her resilience, as she steadily rebuilt her confidence, climbing from 30th in the GS standings to a commendable fourth place last season. This year, Shiffrin expresses a palpable desire to push her boundaries further in the discipline. "I really wonder where I can take GS," Shiffrin remarked earlier this fall. "I have a ton of questions about it in my own mind, and I want to find out." Her pursuit of excellence in giant slalom could have significant implications for the overall standings and the competitive landscape of the discipline.
Paula Moltzan also concluded the 2025-26 season on a strong trajectory, achieving runner-up finishes in both the Sölden opener and the final GS race in Åre, Sweden. Of her ten career World Cup podiums, an impressive five were secured last season, with four of those coming in giant slalom. Now, at 32 years old and entering her eighth full season on the World Cup circuit, Moltzan is seeking a fresh surge of motivation. This quest has led her to a significant equipment change, as she has joined VAN DEER-Red Bull Sports, the ski brand founded by eight-time overall World Cup champion Marcel Hirscher. This collaboration offers her a unique opportunity to contribute to the development of the next generation of women’s slalom and giant slalom skis, a prospect that fuels her competitive drive. "My route of inspiration is trying to develop this whole brand-new line of women’s equipment," Moltzan stated. She dedicated her off-season to meticulous ski testing, aiming to perfect her setup. While her ambitions remain exceptionally high, she approaches this new chapter with a measured sense of patience. "I was truthfully not intending to switch ski brands this year after such an incredible season," Moltzan admitted. "But the opportunity to develop and create a line of skis that I have a lot of influence on is something I’m really excited about." This partnership could signal a new era of performance for Moltzan and potentially influence ski technology across the sport.
Nina O’Brien, at 28 years old, is actively pursuing a career milestone: her first World Cup podium. She achieved a personal best of fifth place in giant slalom prior to the 2026 Olympic Games and delivered one of the standout performances of the Games’ GS competition, posting the fastest second-run time to climb from 29th to 20th overall. Her consistent improvement suggests she is on the cusp of breaking through into the top three.
AJ Hurt, 25, who made her second Olympic team last winter, also demonstrated her resurgence in giant slalom, returning to the top 10 last season following rehabilitation from a hip injury sustained early in the season. Her ability to overcome injury and regain competitive form highlights her tenacity and dedication.
Katie Hensien, 26, will be aiming to recapture the form that led to her career-best fourth-place finish at Sölden in 2024. She too experienced an early-season setback last year, fracturing her tibia in a training incident. Although Hensien qualified for the 2026 Olympics, she was forced to withdraw to focus on her recovery, making her return to the World Cup circuit all the more significant. Her previous success on the Rettenbach Glacier indicates her potential for a strong performance.
Finally, Elisabeth Bocock, 21, represents the exciting wave of emerging talent on the U.S. team. She made her World Cup debut in 2023 and announced her arrival on the international stage a year later with an impressive eighth-place finish in the first run of the Killington GS. Last winter, she was on track for Olympic team selection, but a series of DNF’s (Did Not Finish) in her primary discipline, giant slalom, unfortunately hampered her chances. Despite these setbacks, she achieved several top-15 World Cup finishes and concluded her season with a silver medal in GS at the World Junior Championships. Furthermore, she secured her second national GS title last March, underscoring her domestic dominance.
For Bocock, the opportunity to train alongside seasoned veterans like Shiffrin, Moltzan, and O’Brien provides an invaluable advantage. "If you’re having a good day in training, if, say, you beat Paula or Nina, and you know that they win [World Cup] runs, you could be beating the entire world," Bocock explained. "But also, if you’re not skiing well, you can put it in perspective, like, okay, the people who are the best in the world are beating me. I will still be okay in the grand scheme of things. It can be reassuring while also kind of a motivator." She further elaborated on the impact of her teammates: "My skiing ability has only benefited from having such a good team around me and pushing me to be better in training every day. My career is at a higher level than it would have been if I was not surrounded by these girls." This symbiotic relationship within the team is a significant factor in their collective success.
A Summer of Global Snow Pursuits
The U.S. women’s team arrived in Sölden last week after an extensive offseason program that spanned the globe in their pursuit of consistent snow conditions and high-quality training. However, the offseason presented its share of challenges. As Elisabeth Bocock aptly described the varied conditions: "Europe was melting, in Chile it snowed an absurd amount, and in New Zealand, it was raining." This unpredictable weather pattern necessitated constant adaptation, preventing long, uninterrupted blocks of ideal training. "There wasn’t a massive block of good training days," Bocock admitted, "but I’m still really excited. I think we got what we needed."
The demanding training schedule was interspersed with moments of respite and enjoyment. Paula Moltzan recalled the powder skiing in Chile as a welcome change of pace from technical drills. "We free skied powder for a couple of hours, then went to a place called Tío Bob’s, which is the après-ski spot in Portillo. Sometimes it’s good to have a great ‘life day.’" This balance between intense preparation and mindful rejuvenation is crucial for maintaining peak performance throughout a demanding World Cup season.
With Mikaela Shiffrin embracing a new challenge in giant slalom, Paula Moltzan embarking on an exciting new equipment venture, and a deep roster of talented athletes eager to make their mark, the U.S. women’s team has ample reasons for optimism as they approach the 2026-27 season. Their strong showing at Sölden last year and their continued development signal their intent to remain at the forefront of women’s alpine skiing.
Broadcast and Streaming Information
For fans eager to follow the U.S. women’s journey this season, a significant improvement in broadcast accessibility has been implemented. For the 2026-27 season, a unified broadcast and streaming structure has been established, eliminating the need for multiple subscriptions. Every FIS Alpine World Cup and World Championship event will be streamed live on Peacock. Additionally, a new, free YouTube channel and a FAST channel, both named "Ski & Snowboard World Cup," have been launched. This expanded accessibility ensures that fans across the United States can tune in to watch the U.S. women kick off their World Cup season on the Rettenbach Glacier. The new structure represents a significant step forward in making elite ski racing more accessible to a wider audience.
