Breezy Johnson and Mikaela Shiffrin won gold at the World Championships as a team. © APA/afp / DIMITAR DILKOFF

Historic World Championship gold for Johnson and Shiffrin

The first team combination at a Ski World Championship is history. In the women's event, the USA, led by Mikaela Shiffrin, secured the gold medal. The slalom final was hard to beat in terms of excitement.

11. February 2025

From: cst

The team combination has survived its baptism of fire. The competition, which was held for the first time at the World Championships in Saalbach-Hinterglemm, ensured high tension right up to the end. Scenes of jubilation were interspersed with disappointed faces. The disappointment is particularly great in the German camp.

Emma Aicher (2nd) and Kira Weidle-Winkelmann (4th) had put the German teams in excellent starting positions in the downhill. But in the end, they didn't win any medals - because Jessica Hilzinger dropped out and Lena Dürr only came 16th after a serious mistake.

Very disappointed: Lena Dürr almost dropped out and wasted all her chances of winning a medal. © ANSA / ANNA SZILAGYI

Others were celebrating, however. First and foremost Team USA 1 with Mikaela Shiffrin and Breezy Johnson. Shiffrin led the team from fourth place in the slalom to the gold medal position. This means that the Americans can celebrate their historic first win in the team combination in skiing history. This was also possible because their compatriot Paula Moltzan ran out of steam. Lauren Macuga was the fastest in the downhill, Moltzan couldn't quite keep up. In the end, they finished in a bitter fourth place.

Lara Gut-Behrami knew who she had to thank for her silver medal at the World Championships. Wendy Holdener gained 10 places in the slalom. © APA/afp / DIMITAR DILKOFF

Instead, Lara Gut-Behrami and Wendy Holdener received precious metal. The slalom specialist had a strong run and pushed Team Switzerland 1 forward by a full 10 places. This was enough for silver. Stephanie Venier and Katharina Truppe took bronze, also improving by 4 places in the slalom.

Delago/Rossetti in 8th place

As expected, the Azzurre had nothing to do with the medals. At least Marta Rossetti was able to gain two places in the slalom after Nadia Delago finished 2th in the downhill. Eighth place for Team Italy 10 is a respectable result, but nothing more. Giorgia Collomb (Italy 8/with Laura Pirovano) and Martina Peterlini (Italy 3/with Elena Curtoni) did not see the finish flag.