Hector Claims Giant Slalom Victory In Spindleruv Mlyn

Sara Hector (SWE/Head) chose the perfect moment to land a first Audi FIS World Cup win of the season, denying a packed leaderboard to triumph in the Giant Slalom in Spindleruv Mlyn on Sunday.

With the world’s best gathered for a final GS shootout ahead of next month’s Milano Cortina Olympic Winter Games, defending champion Hector proved it will take something special to wrestle the title from her hands.

Despite leading after a superb run one, the Swede knew she still had it all to do, after Paula Moltzan (USA/Rossignol) had thrown down a spectacular second effort. At Hector’s final split it looked like Moltzan would win a first World Cup crown in her 142nd start but somehow Hector found some rocket fuel in the final section to finish 0.18 seconds clear of the phlegmatic American.

Mikaela Shiffrin (USA/Atomic) rounded off the top three, grabbing her first GS podium finish in almost two years. Nina O’Brien (USA/Rossignol) and AJ Hurt (USA/Head) completed another red-letter day for the Stars and Stripes, finishing fifth and eighth respectively meaning four USA skiers in the top eight.

The 32-year-old Swedish skier delivered two commanding runs on the challenging Czech course to secure her first victory of the season, holding off a competitive international field that included several of the sport's rising talents and established stars. Hector's winning performance showcased the aggressive yet precise skiing style that has brought her Olympic gold and numerous World Cup podiums throughout her career.

Spindleruv Mlyn, located in the Krkonose Mountains of the Czech Republic, provided an ideal venue for technical racing, with a well-prepared course that tested the athletes' ability to maintain speed while navigating the tight, demanding turns that define giant slalom. The race conditions allowed for fair competition, giving skilled technical skiers the opportunity to showcase their abilities.

For Hector, the victory represents a return to the top step of the podium after a season where she has remained competitive without quite capturing the wins that seemed within reach. The triumph validates her decision to continue racing at the highest level and demonstrates that her technical abilities remain sharp even as younger competitors emerge on the World Cup circuit.

Hector might be the reigning Olympic gold medallist, and now a eight-time World Cup winner, but she is taking nothing for granted.

“You see there are so many good girls out here, it’s just so cool to be able to win,” she said. “I am ready. Mostly, I am just looking forward to going there and just to enjoy (it). Last time I was just so focused and I didn’t really have time to feel it was the Olympics. This time I think I can go there with a little bit lighter heart, because I have a gold and now it’s just to really go there and enjoy. I am very much looking forward to that. For sure, I have to work hard so I can stay in good shape.”

The Swedish veteran's skiing career has been marked by steady progression and remarkable longevity in a sport where technical specialists often peak early and fade. Hector's Olympic giant slalom gold medal at the 2022 Beijing Winter Games represented the pinnacle of her achievements, but Saturday's victory proves she remains a force in the discipline.

The win carries particular significance as the World Cup season enters its crucial mid-winter phase, where discipline titles and overall standings begin to crystallize. Hector's points haul from the Czech Republic boosts her position in the giant slalom standings and keeps her in contention as the tour progresses toward the season-ending finals.

Technical racing on the women's World Cup circuit has become increasingly competitive in recent seasons, with multiple nations fielding strong giant slalom skiers capable of winning on any given race day. Hector's ability to break through against such depth speaks to both her preparation and her mental toughness under pressure.

The Swedish ski team has enjoyed a strong tradition in women's technical events, though Hector stands as the nation's most successful current representative in giant slalom. Her victory provides momentum for Swedish skiing as the team looks ahead to future championships and Olympic cycles.

Spindleruv Mlyn's place on the World Cup calendar offers variety to the traditional Alpine circuit, which typically focuses on established venues in Austria, Switzerland, Italy, and France. The Czech resort's ability to host high-level competition demonstrates the sport's geographic reach and provides racing opportunities in markets still developing their winter sports infrastructure.

The technical course set for Saturday's race required precise edge control and tactical line selection, elements where Hector's experience proved decisive. Her ability to carry speed through the demanding sections while maintaining the clean technique necessary for fast times exemplified world-class giant slalom skiing.

With the victory secured, Hector now looks ahead to upcoming technical races where she will attempt to build on the momentum from Spindleruv Mlyn. The World Cup calendar features several key giant slalom events in the coming weeks, offering opportunities to accumulate points and challenge for the discipline title.

A superb second run, the quickest in the field by 0.15 seconds, certainly shows Moltzan is in superb form. As does the fact she now a 2025 World Championship GS bronze medal plus six World Cup podium places (four in GS and two in Slalom) to her name in the past season-and-a-half. Form that has her smiling.

“It felt really naturally and flowy. I am just happy, I don’t know, I am just really happy,” she said. Another thing that is keeping 31-year-old cheery is the fact so many of her teammates are producing their best when it really matters. I am really just so excited for my team right now, we had four girls in the top eight that’s unbelievable,” Moltzan added. “It just shows you the strength that we have going into the Olympics.”

The win also provides validation for Hector's training approach and equipment choices, factors that can make marginal but crucial differences at the elite level. Her continued success demonstrates the effectiveness of the Swedish ski federation's development programs and technical support systems.

For fans of technical skiing, Hector's victory offers evidence that experience and refined technique can still prevail in a sport increasingly focused on athletic power and aggressive tactics. Her smooth, efficient style represents classical giant slalom skiing executed at the highest level.

As the women's World Cup tour continues its intensive European schedule, Hector's triumph in the Czech Republic serves as a reminder that championship-level skiing requires both physical capability and the mental strength to perform under pressure. Her ability to deliver winning runs when it matters most remains one of her greatest strengths.

The Spindleruv Mlyn race concludes another successful stop on the women's technical circuit, with the tour now preparing for its next venues as the march toward the season finals continues. For Sara Hector, the victory represents both validation of past achievements and promise for what remains possible in a career that continues to add memorable chapters.