Lara Gut-Behrami has reached a remarkable milestone in her illustrious skiing career, winning the giant slalom at the season finale in Sun Valley, Idaho, on March 25, 2025. This victory not only marked her tenth in the giant slalom World Cup but also her 100th podium finish overall, placing her in an elite group of skiers.
Gut-Behrami’s achievement is notable as she becomes the first female skier to secure ten or more victories in three different disciplines. Previously, only five other female skiers had reached the 100-podium milestone: Mikaela Shiffrin (156 podiums), Lindsey Vonn (138), Annemarie Moser-Pröll (114), Renate Götschl (110), and Vreni Schneider (101). On the men's side, only Ingemar Stenmark (155), Marcel Hirscher (138), and Marc Girardelli (100) have matched this feat.
The victory in Sun Valley came just two days after Gut-Behrami triumphed in the super-G, where she also clinched the small crystal globe for the discipline. This season, she has achieved a total of three World Cup victories, bringing her career total to 48. Her latest win was characterized by a strong performance in the first run, where she led by 45 hundredths of a second, ultimately defeating fellow competitor Federica Brignone by a narrow margin of 14 hundredths.
However, the path to this success was not without its challenges. The 2024 season began poorly for Gut-Behrami, who had to withdraw from the race in Sölden due to a persistent flu that kept her off the slopes for three weeks. This absence affected her confidence, leading to disappointing finishes of 13th, 9th, and 6th in subsequent races in Killington, Vermont; Semmering, Austria; and Kranjska Gora, Slovenia.
It wasn’t until the last giant slalom before the World Championships that Gut-Behrami began to find her footing again, finishing second in both Kronplatz and Sestriere. These performances laid the groundwork for her World Cup victory number 48. Her victory in Sun Valley was a culmination of hard work and determination, showcasing her resilience as she overcame a rough start to the season.
In addition to her podium finishes, Gut-Behrami’s journey this season has been marked by personal growth and reflection. After a tumultuous year, including the departure of her previous coach, Alejo Hervas, she found a new mentor in Flavio Di Giorgio, who previously worked with Sofia Goggia. This change has invigorated her training and rekindled her passion for skiing.
Despite the challenges she faced, including a knee injury sustained during training in Chile, Gut-Behrami has demonstrated remarkable perseverance. An MRI revealed no serious damage, but the incident did cause her to reduce her training intensity, leading to uncertainty as the season commenced.
Gut-Behrami’s emotional withdrawal from the giant slalom in Sölden was a pivotal moment, as she expressed her fears of injury and the weight of expectations in her sport. “It feels like it’s not 100% right. I don’t want to fall and get hurt,” she shared, highlighting the mental toll of elite competition.
In February 2025, at her ninth World Championships, Gut-Behrami secured a silver medal in the team combination alongside Wendy Holdener, marking a significant achievement in her career. This experience allowed her to embrace the joys of teamwork, a departure from the individualistic nature of ski racing. “You carry the responsibility on your shoulders. It’s always your fault if things go well or poorly,” she remarked, appreciating the camaraderie that came with team events.
As the season comes to a close, Gut-Behrami reflects on her journey with a sense of gratitude and nostalgia. “There will be more emotions than just victories,” she stated, as she prepares for what may be her final season before retirement. With the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan on the horizon, Gut-Behrami is contemplating her future in the sport, expressing a desire to continue competing until then.
Interestingly, this season also marked a change in sponsorship for Gut-Behrami, who competed without her long-time sponsor, Ragusa, after a contract renewal could not be reached. She hopes to engage with a new sponsor to support the next generation of skiers, aiming to inspire young athletes as she once was at the 2006 Winter Games in Italy.
Looking ahead, Lara Gut-Behrami’s legacy in the skiing world is firmly established. With her recent achievements, she has solidified her place among the sport’s greats, and as she prepares for her final chapter, fans and fellow competitors alike will be watching closely to see how her story unfolds.
