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2mo ago

World Alpine Ski Championships Begin in Saalbach with High Stakes and New Formats

France's Clément Noël leads the charge for medals as injuries and retirements challenge the French team, while global stars like Mikaela Shiffrin and Marco Odermatt take center stage.

Overview

  • The 2025 World Alpine Ski Championships are being held in Saalbach, Austria, from February 4 to 16, featuring a revised program that includes a new team combined event.
  • France's Clément Noël, a four-time World Cup winner this season, is a medal favorite in slalom, despite recent injury setbacks, while the French team faces challenges due to key injuries and retirements.
  • Notable absences include Alexis Pinturault and Cyprien Sarrazin, both sidelined by severe injuries, significantly impacting France's medal prospects across multiple events.
  • Global stars to watch include Lindsey Vonn, returning to the World Championships after a six-year hiatus, Mikaela Shiffrin recovering from injury, and Swiss champion Marco Odermatt aiming to defend his titles.
  • The championship will also serve as a platform for addressing skier safety, with key discussions planned by the International Ski Federation (FIS).