Shiffrin hails Rast brilliance: “If only people truly understood how hard this is”

Camille Rast’s rise to the very top of alpine skiing is no longer a promise — it is now a reality. After establishing herself among the elite of the Ski World Cup last winter, the Swiss racer from Valais has taken another decisive step forward this season, delivering performances that demand global recognition. Even her fiercest rival, Mikaela Shiffrin, has been left in awe.

Over an extraordinary 24-hour period in Kranjska Gora, Rast produced a double that only the sport’s rarest talents can manage. She won both the giant slalom and the slalom, defeating Shiffrin in the American’s signature discipline and firmly announcing herself as one of the defining figures of the current World Cup campaign.

For Shiffrin, who finished second in Sunday’s slalom, the result marked the first time this winter she failed to stand atop the podium in the discipline. Yet there was no frustration in her reaction — only admiration.

“That was an incredible show,” Shiffrin wrote on Instagram after the race. The 30-year-old American, a record-breaking 106-time World Cup winner, described the experience as unforgettable and said she could not imagine skiing any faster herself on the day.

“Camille absolutely nailed it,” Shiffrin said. “If only the whole world could understand what an immense challenge it is to win both the giant slalom and the slalom in a single weekend, people would appreciate her achievement even more.”

Such praise carries enormous weight. Few athletes understand the demands of elite alpine skiing better than Shiffrin, who has accomplished the same giant slalom–slalom double at the same venue on consecutive days ten times in her career — including at Kranjska Gora back in 2018. That perspective makes her words all the more meaningful.

What also impressed Shiffrin was not just Rast’s speed, but the emotion and purpose behind her performances. The Swiss skier dedicated her giant slalom victory to the victims of the tragic fire in Crans-Montana, close to her hometown of Vétroz, where dozens lost their lives on New Year’s Eve.

“What makes it even more powerful,” Shiffrin added, “is her heart — the way she skied with that level of expression and commitment while thinking of the people affected by the tragedy.”

Rast herself spoke openly about the emotional weight of the weekend, saying her thoughts were firmly with the families impacted by the disaster. Her performances, she explained, were fueled by both gratitude and determination.

The signs that Rast could one day challenge Shiffrin had been visible for some time. Last winter, the 26-year-old began showing remarkable consistency, establishing herself as a regular contender in slalom races. During the opening seven World Cup slaloms of the 2024–25 season, she finished inside the top five every time and claimed two victories along the way.

Her breakthrough moment arrived in mid-February 2025, when she captured the slalom world title at the World Championships in Saalbach-Hinterglemm. It was confirmation that her rise was no fluke.

Then came the setback.

In the first slalom following the World Championships, Rast suffered a heavy crash in Sestriere, sliding across the finish line after losing control late in the run. The physical consequences were severe. A damaged hip robbed her of rhythm and confidence, and the injury continued to affect her well into the summer months.

The remainder of the season became a struggle. Results dipped, momentum stalled, and questions emerged about whether she could return to the level she had reached before the crash.

The early part of the current season offered little immediate reassurance. Rast finished 15th in the giant slalom in Sölden and again placed 15th in the slalom in Levi — respectable results, but far from the heights she had previously scaled.

Yet behind the scenes, progress was building.

Over the last seven races, Rast has rediscovered her best form with remarkable consistency. She has finished inside the top four in every one of those events, collecting three podium finishes before last weekend’s stunning double victory in Slovenia.

The triumphs in Kranjska Gora were not isolated flashes of brilliance — they were the culmination of months of rebuilding, patience and belief.

Now, with momentum firmly on her side, Rast is emerging as Shiffrin’s most formidable challenger, not only in slalom but potentially in the overall World Cup standings as well. Shiffrin currently leads with 823 points, holding a 120-point advantage, but the gap is far from insurmountable if Rast maintains her current trajectory.

With the Olympic Games fast approaching, the timing of Rast’s resurgence could hardly be better. Switzerland views her as one of its strongest medal hopes, particularly in the technical disciplines. Her blend of precision, courage and emotional resilience makes her a dangerous competitor on any course.

Rast’s story adds another layer of intrigue to an already compelling rivalry. Shiffrin remains the benchmark — the most decorated skier the sport has ever seen — but the Swiss star is no longer chasing from the shadows. She is racing head-to-head, winning on merit, and earning the respect of the greatest athlete of her generation.

As Shiffrin herself made clear, victories like Rast’s deserve deeper appreciation.

“This is what people don’t always see,” Shiffrin said in essence. The pressure. The technical perfection. The physical toll. The emotional strength required to deliver twice, on consecutive days, in two of the most demanding disciplines in alpine skiing.

Camille Rast has not only met that challenge — she has mastered it. And as the Olympic year unfolds, the world may soon understand exactly what Mikaela Shiffrin already knows.