2023 FIS Alpine Ski World Championships: Women's Giant Slalom - Preview, schedule and ones to watch on Thursday 16 February
Who will be Mikaela Shiffrin's main rivals? What time are the two runs scheduled? Read more in the preview below.
Alpine Skiing
Team USA star Mikaela Shiffrin headlines a strong line-up for the women's giant slalom at the 2023 FIS Alpine Ski World Championships on Thursday (16 February).
The PyeongChang 2018 gold medallist, who parted ways with her long-time head coach Mike Day on the eve of the race, has already claimed three world championship medals (two silvers, one bronze) in the event. She is also leading this season's World Cup discipline's standings with five wins out of eight races.
The 27-year-old, who will wear bib No. 3, will be the woman to beat on the Roc de Fer course in Meribel. Please read on to see our list of other expected medal contenders.
Women's giant slalom: Medal Favourites
Mikaela Shiffrin (USA): The Vail-born skier is having her best season to date in giant slalom. She has already won more races in the event (five) than during her record-breaking 2019 campaign when she finished with four GS victories.
Lara Gut Behrami (SUI): The 31-year-old is the defending champion from Cortina also claiming Olympic bronze at Beijing 2022. This season she's managed four World Cup podiums, including a win in Killington, USA,.
Marta Bassino (ITA): The 2021 GS globe winner is looking for her maiden major competition medal in her favoured event (26 career World Cup podiums, six wins).
Petra Vlhova (SVK): The 2019 world champion has stepped on the podium three times this season in GS and finished in the Top 4 in seven of the eight events she raced.
Federica Brignone (ITA): The Beijing 2022 silver medallist, who won on the Roc de Fer at the 2022 World Cup Finals, has reached two podiums this season and won the discipline's globe in 2020. The newly crowned combined world champion is doubtful for the event as she's recovering from a flu.
Sara Hector (SWE): The reigning Olympic champion finished runner-up in last year's World Cup GS rankings and was third in Kronplatz, Italy, the last event before worlds.
Tessa Worley (FRA): Out of al lactive skiers, only Shiffron has recorded more World Cup victories in GS than the two-time world champion (2013, 2017). Worley will be racing in front of the home fans.
Day 11 at 2023 Alpine Ski World Championships: Schedule Thursday 16 February
Women's giant slalom:
- Giant Slalom: Run 1 9:45 CET (3:45 EST) / Run 2 13:30 CET (7:30 EST) in Meribel.
You can find the full start list on the FIS website.
Men's giant slalom qualifications:
- Giant Slalom qualifiers: Run 1 10:00 CET (4:00 EST) / Run 2 13:30 (7:30 EST) in Courchevel.
You can find more info here.
How to watch the 2023 FIS Alpine Ski World Championships
The event will be available for television braodcast and livestream in various region and you can check the full list of broadcasters here.
You can also check out the live results on the FIS website and read the latest alpine skiing's stories on Olympics.com.