MikaelaMikaela Shiffrin performances in giant slalom and super-G while selecting particular slalom events to compete in.
The decision has raised several questions. Can Shiffrin transfer her exceptional technical ability to the speed disciplines? Who will emerge as the leading contender in slalom during her reduced schedule? And could her new approach help her reclaim the overall Crystal Globe?
The opening giant slalom in Sölden will provide an early opportunity to assess her progress.
Emma Aicher Emerges as a Serious Contender
While Shiffrin’s plans have attracted significant attention, Germany’s Emma Aicher is another athlete expected to play a major role this season.
The 22-year-old has continued to improve across multiple disciplines, establishing herself as a serious threat in super-G, downhill and slalom.
Her recent performances have strengthened expectations that she could challenge for the overall women’s Crystal Globe.
Aicher’s growing versatility could prove particularly valuable in a season where several leading competitors will be absent or face uncertain returns.
Switzerland’s Camille Rast and New Zealand’s Alice Robinson are also expected to challenge for major honours.
Rast has demonstrated considerable strength in slalom and giant slalom, while Robinson continues to establish herself as a dangerous competitor in giant slalom and super-G.
With several athletes capable of winning across different disciplines, the women’s overall standings could become one of the most closely contested battles of the campaign.
Several Established Stars Face Uncertain Returns
The new season will begin without several prominent names, adding another layer of uncertainty to the competition.
Switzerland’s Lara Gut-Behrami has called time on her remarkable career, leaving a significant gap in the women’s field.
Italy’s Sofia Goggia is also expected to miss the Sölden opener as she continues recovering from viral infections. Her return later in the season will depend on her recovery.
Fellow Italian Federica Brignone is working towards a comeback after a serious leg injury. However, her preparations have been complicated by further surgery and limited time on skis.
Meanwhile, American skiing legend Lindsey Vonn has been named in the wider United States team, although the timing of any competitive return remains uncertain following her serious injury at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
One positive development is the return of Slovakia’s Petra Vlhova, the 2022 Olympic slalom champion. Her appearance in Sölden would mark her first participation there in three years.
Her return could provide a welcome boost to the women’s technical events.
Marco Odermatt Faces a New Challenge
On the men’s side, Switzerland’s Marco Odermatt enters the campaign determined to defend his position among the sport’s leading competitors.
However, Brazil’s Lucas Pinheiro Braathen is preparing to challenge his dominance.
After winning major giant slalom honours at the 2026 Winter Olympics and World Cup level, Pinheiro Braathen is now targeting the overall Crystal Globe.
The Brazilian intends to expand his competitive programme by racing more frequently in super-G, a discipline in which he has relatively limited World Cup experience.
The move represents a significant challenge, but success could strengthen his overall title ambitions.
Swiss compatriot Loïc Meillard is another potential challenger. His performances in giant slalom have demonstrated that he possesses the ability to compete consistently with the leading athletes.
Franjo von Allmen will also attract attention as he seeks to translate his success on the biggest stages into consistent World Cup victories.
With several competitors targeting the same prizes, Odermatt could face a demanding season.
New Night Races Add Excitement to the Calendar
The 2026–27 campaign will also feature notable changes to the World Cup calendar.
Among the additions are new night-racing opportunities designed to create a different atmosphere for competitors and spectators.
Flachau, Austria, is scheduled to host a giant slalom night race on 4 January, followed by its traditional slalom event the following evening.
Alta Badia will also introduce a new night slalom for the men’s competition alongside its established giant slalom race.
Elsewhere, the women’s circuit will return to Cortina and Lenzerheide, while the men’s technical events will feature a World Cup stop in Åre, Sweden.
The season’s biggest international highlight will be the 2027 Alpine World Ski Championships in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, scheduled for 1–14 February.
The championships will provide another major opportunity for the world’s best skiers to compete for prestigious titles.
An Unpredictable Season Awaits
With Shiffrin exploring new possibilities, Aicher emerging as a potential overall champion and Pinheiro Braathen targeting an even greater breakthrough, the coming campaign promises plenty of drama.
The absence of established stars could also create opportunities for younger competitors to establish themselves among the sport’s elite.
Meanwhile, Odermatt will need to remain consistent if he hopes to fend off a growing list of challengers.
The action begins in Sölden on 24 October, when the women’s giant slalom opens the new season, followed by the men’s event on 25 October.
For fans of alpine skiing, the countdown has begun. With major career decisions, new calendar features and several intriguing title battles on the horizon, the 2026–27 season could prove to be one of the most compelling chapters in World Cup history.Suggested thumbnail text:
ALPINE SKIING’S BIGGEST SHAKE-UP!
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