On February 15, 2025, Camille Rast made history by becoming the world champion in women's slalom at the 2025 World Ski Championships held in Saalbach, Austria. At just 25 years old, Rast delivered an impressive performance, winning her first world title, which is also Switzerland's first victory in this discipline since Vreni Schneider's triumph back in 1991. Under the bright blue skies of Saalbach, Rast started her race confidently, showcasing her abilities and determination.
Rast dominated the first run, finishing with the best time, 58 hundredths of a second ahead of her nearest competitor, Katharina Liensberger. Mikaela Shiffrin, the reigning queen of slalom, lagged behind, placing third after the first round. During the second run, Rast held onto her lead, completing the course with precision. She finished with a total time of 1'58”, edging out her compatriot Wendy Holdener by 46 hundredths of a second.
This victory did not come easily; it was firmly contended by turning points throughout the races. Holdener managed to maintain the pressure on Rast, claiming the best time during the second run. Yet, Rast remained unshaken and executed her final run flawlessly, solidifying her gold medal win. Holdener secured silver, marking her ninth world championship medal and her third silver at the Saalbach events. Meanwhile, Liensberger took home the bronze medal, completing the podium for the day.
Even with her personal achievements, Rast acknowledged the competitive field she faced. Mikaela Shiffrin, who has consistently been a formidable competitor, finished fifth. This leaves her without a medal from this championship, marking her absence from the podium for the first time in her six world championships where she has competed. Shiffrin noted post-race, "The competition was very tough today, and I am proud to have performed well."
On the French front, the results were mixed but showed promise. Marion Chevrier finished tenth, providing much-needed satisfaction to the French team, who have had their struggles throughout the event. After racing, Chevrier expressed her excitement at the achievement, declaring, "Wow! Just wow, it’s cool!" She credited her recent successes on the European circuit, describing how building confidence through earlier competitions had contributed to her delivery today.
Marie Lamure also represented France well by finishing twelfth. Lamure, reflecting on her performance, stated, "I’m satisfied but it shows I have work to do to go faster." Both French competitors have seized valuable points for the World Cup standings. Chevrier's assertive finish placed her among the best, as she also clocked the fifth-best time during the second round. Lamure shared her experience from the first run, describing the tough conditions: "The competition was difficult, but I’ve performed consistently this season, so I won’t complain about being twelfth at the World Championships."
The event showcased some breathtaking moments, with numerous athletes striving for top positions. The final results reflect not just individual victories but also the intense competition within the sport. Camille Rast has set herself on course not only for continued success this season but also for future competitions as she aims for the coveted small globe of slalom, which is within reach with just three slaloms remaining.
The excitement does not end here, as avid fans of the sport eagerly await the men's slalom event to conclude the championships. On the men's side, Clément Noël is anticipated to be one of the favorites as the championships move toward their finale. With the Swiss team celebrating another monumental day, and the French team finding reasons to smile after the women's slalom, the excitement for these championships has been nothing short of thrilling.