European Cup 2025/26 Recap: Breakout Performers Earn World Cup Spots

Another European Cup season has wrapped, and the athletes who stood out are now ready to make their mark on the 2026/27 World Cup. Beyond claiming discipline titles and overall honors, this year’s top performers have earned guaranteed spots on the World Cup circuit.

The top three athletes from the overall standings have secured a fixed World Cup spot in every discipline (Downhill, Super-G, Giant Slalom, and Slalom). Additionally, the top three finishers in each discipline now hold a fixed place on the World Cup for that discipline in the upcoming season. Let’s take a closer look at the names to remember.

Overall Standings – Women

1. Alice Pazzaglia (ITA, Rossignol) – Born in 2002, she enjoyed her strongest European Cup season to date. Competing in 19 races across Slalom and Giant Slalom, she captured the overall title by finishing in the top-5 in 12 of them. The Italian racer has also made appearances on the World Cup circuit, already securing three top-30 finishes, all in Giant Slalom.

2. Stefanie Grob (SUI, Rossignol) – The 2004-born Swiss skier built on her strong European Cup form, finishing 2nd overall while claiming the Downhill title. She competed across all disciplines, excelling in Downhill with three podiums, including two victories. She also added a second-place finish in the Super-G at Saalbach in March. With her 33 starts in the World Cup circuit, Grob has landed her best-ever result in Val di Fassa this year with a 10th place finish.

3. Fabiana Dorigo (GER, Atomic) – Born in 1998, Dorigo improved on her 7th-place overall finish in 2024 by climbing to 3rd overall this season. She delivered strong, consistent performances, finishing in the top five in six races across Giant Slalom, Super-G, and Downhill, and placing 4th in the discipline standings for both Downhill and Super-G. The German skier is also an experienced World Cup competitor, with 37 starts and a top-10 finish to her name.

Overall Standings – Men

1. Lenz Haechler (SUI, Stoeckli) – After finishing 2nd in the overall standings last year, the 2003-born Swiss skier delivered his strongest season to date, capturing the overall title. His success was driven by winning the Super-G standings and placing fourth in the Downhill ranking. In his 12 appearances in the World Cup circuit, Haechler has already scored his first points with a 19th place finish in Beaver Creek in December 2025.

2. Hans Grahl-Madsen (NOR, Head) – Born in 2003, the Norwegian skier put together a strong season, finishing 2nd overall. He placed 3rd in the Giant Slalom standings and 4th in Slalom, highlighted by four podiums in Giant Slalom, including two wins, and two victories plus a third place in Slalom. These results saw Grahl-Madsen climb from 14th overall in 2024/25 to 2nd this season. He also competed at World Cup level, recording four top-30 finishes, including a career-best 6th place in Slalom in Val d’Isère.

3. Sandro Zurbruegg (SUI, Stoeckli) – Born in 2002, Zurbruegg led the Giant Slalom standings this season and secured 3rd place in the overall rankings, highlighting his growing importance for the Swiss Ski Team. Since making his World Cup debut in December 2023, he has also scored World Cup points on two occasions. During the Swiss National Championships, however, Zurbruegg suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament along with additional injuries to his left knee and has since undergone surgery.

Downhill Standings – Women

1. Stefanie Grob (SUI, Rossignol) – (See Overall section for bio)

2. Anna Schilcher (AUT, Head) – The 2000-born Austrian racer finished 2nd in the Downhill standings of the 2025/26 season, thanks to one victory, two second-place finishes, and a fourth place. Having already competed on the World Cup circuit prior to this season, she was able to improve her performances, recording her best result so far with a 37th place in Downhill.

3. Sara Thaler (ITA, Rossignol) – The 2004-born Italian racer, who finished 2nd in the Downhill standings last season, continued her strong form by claiming 3rd place this year, confirming her key role in the Italian speed team. She delivered a consistent campaign, earning five top-10 finishes from six Downhill starts.

Downhill Standings – Men

1. Ken Caillot (FRA, Atomic) – Born in 1998, the French skier enjoyed a breakthrough season, highlighted by five Downhill podiums, including two victories. His first-place finish in the Downhill standings earned him a guaranteed spot on the World Cup circuit for this discipline, where he has already gained experience before.

2. Sandro Manser (SUI, Atomic) – Born in 2005, he marked his breakthrough season in just his third European Cup campaign, claiming two victories and a second-place finish. These results propelled him to 2nd in the Downhill standings and 9th overall.

3. Gael Zulauf (SUI, Fischer) – Zulauf, born in 2000, has competed in the European Cup since 2020, gradually building his skills. This season he reached a career high in the Downhill standings, finishing 3rd. With a victory, a second-place, and a fifth-place finish, he demonstrated his capacity to deliver.

Super-G Standings – Women

1. Sara Allemand (ITA, Rossignol) – Allemand, born in 2000, has steadily climbed the Super G rankings, moving from 6th in 2024 to 3rd in 2025, and now leading the standings this season. She made her World Cup debut this year with six Super G starts, where she finished inside the top-30 in four races.

2. Lisa Grill (AUT, Head) – The 2000-born Austrian improved on her previous best Super-G finish of 4th in 2020/21, delivering a strong season highlighted by five top-six results in seven Super-G races.

3. Emily Schoepf (AUT, Atomic) – Debuting in the European Cup in 2020/21, the 2000-born Austrian skier delivered her strongest Super G season to date, finishing 19th in the standings. With two podiums, including one victory, and a fourth-place finish, Schoepf proved herself as a reliable contributor to the Austrian team.

Super-G Standings – Men

1. Lenz Haechler (SUI, Stoeckli) – (See Overall section for bio)

2. Manuel Traninger (AUT, Atomic) – Debuted in the Euroepan Cup in 2018/19, the 1998-born Austrian had his best Super G season - his best result in the standings was 3rd in 2023/24.

3. Adrien Fresquet (FRA, Head) – Born in 1999, Fresquet has surpassed his result of 8th in the standings in 2023/24 thanks to steady progression. He claimed 11th place in Crans Montana this season in the World Cup. With his 18 World Cup starts, his best result is a 19th place in Super G in 2024.

Giant Slalom Standings – Women

1. Dania Allenbach (SUI, Salomon) – Born in 2007, the Swiss skier has been competing in the European Cup only since the 2024/25 season. She made her World Cup debut in January this year and has since started four races, already securing her first three top-30 finishes.

2. Sophie Mathiou (ITA, Rossignol) – The Italian skier, born in 2002, has been racing in Giant Slalom on the European Cup circuit since the 2023/24 season. Until this year, her best result had been 9th in the standings, but four top-five finishes this season helped her secure 2nd place in the rankings.

3. Alice Pazzaglia (ITA, Rossignol) – (See Overall section for bio)

Giant Slalom Standings – Men

1. Sandro Zurbruegg (SUI, Stoeckli) – (See Overall section for bio)

2. Fadri Janutin (SUI, Fischer) – Born in 2000, the Swiss skier has equalled his 2021/22 second place in the Giant Slalom standings. He has 41 World Cup starts, where his best result in Giant Slalom is a 14th place in 2024 in Aspen.

3. Hans Grahl-Madsen (NOR, Head) – (See Overall section for bio)

Slalom Standings – Women

1. Alice Pazzaglia (ITA, Rossignol) – (See Overall for bio).

2. Giulia Valleriani (ITA, Rossignol) – Competing on the European Cup circuit since the 2022/23 season, the 2004-born Italian skier made a major step forward in Slalom, improving from 37th in last year’s standings to 2nd this season. She made her World Cup debut in January 2025 and has since started 10 races, recording a best result of 18th place in Kranjska Gora this season.

3. Janine Maechler (SUI, Head) – Born in 2004, the Swiss skier enjoyed her strongest season to date, finishing 3rd in the Slalom standings and 4th Overall. Her campaign was highlighted by her first European Cup victory, which came in February in Hasliberg. She has also made 15 World Cup starts so far, recording two top-30 finishes.

Slalom Standings – Men

1. Hugo Desgrippes (FRA, Dynastar) – With five podiums, including two victories, the 2000-born French skier delivered his strongest European Cup season to date. Since making his World Cup debut in 2023, Desgrippes recorded his best result this season in December at Val d’Isère, finishing 12th in the Slalom.

2. Auguste Aulnette (FRA, Salomon) – Born in 2002, the French skier made his European Cup debut in 2023/24 and has since delivered his strongest season to date. In nine Slalom races, he secured seven top-10 finishes, including one victory and one second place.

3. Tommaso Saccardi (ITA, Nordica) – The Italian skier, born in 2001, has improved on his previous best of 8th in last year’s Slalom standings. With 20 World Cup starts and two Olympic appearances (Team Combined and Slalom at Milano Cortina 2026), he has established himself as a valuable member of the Italian technical team.

Having proven themselves at the very top of the European Cup, these athletes have turned strong results into something bigger than trophies alone, earning fixed starting positions on skiing’s premier circuit. When the World Cup season gets underway again, many of them will aim to build on that form and make their presence felt right away.