USA's Mikaela Shiffrin is bidding to win her fifth consecutive World Championship slalom title and is also planning on competing in the giant slalom, combined and Super-G.

But France's Laura Gut Behrami will be the one to beat in Super-G, with four World Cup wins under her belt this month in her signature event.

Switzerland's Beat Feuz has been excellent in the downhill this season and is favourite for the title but Italy's Dominik Paris is back in form after an Achilles injury and Matthias Mayer has been consistently on the podium in the speed races.

Predicting a winner of the men's slalom is altogether more difficult with seven different winners of the World Cup races this season - the first time that has happened since 2009.

Image source, Getty Images

Dave Ryding was on the World Cup podium in January with third place in Adelboden and leads a seven-strong British team in Cortina d'Ampezzo.

The team also includes Charlie Guest, Alex Tilley, Sarah Woodward, Billy Major, Charlie Raposo and Laurie Taylor.

Paul Trayner, GB Snowsport alpine director, said: "It has been such a difficult year for everyone, however, we go into this year's World Championships with one of the strongest teams ever, after a season of top results.

"A World Cup podium for Dave, three Europa Cup winners and with Alex skiing consistently in the top 30 at World Cup level we have so much to look forward to in the next couple of weeks."

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Sport

The Alpine Ski World Championship will be available to watch across the BBC Red Button, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and mobile app.

All times are GMT and subject to change at late notice.

Tuesday, 9 February

Women's Super-G (Alex Tilley for GB)

Live coverage

11:45-13:40, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and mobile app

Replay

17:05-19:00, BBC Red Button

Full coverage details here.

BBC Sport

The 2021 Alpine World Ski Championships are taking place in Italy between 8-21 February.

The action will be held in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, which will also host alpine skiing when the country stages the 2026 Winter Olympics – the first time Europe has been awarded a winter Games in two decades.

Athletes from 70 countries will compete for the 13 world titles on offer at the Italian resort but unfortunately, no fans will be in attendance in Cortina due to coronavirus restrictions.

Image source, Getty Images

Get Inspired
#GetInspired

There are beginners classes all over the country, and you can pick up the basics quickly. So, if you like the cold, the rush of speed and adrenaline then give it a go.

Skiing is a great workout - you can burn up to 500 calories an hour.

Also, anyone with a disability can compete. Disability Snowsport UK, external has loads of advice about getting involved. They offer lessons,, external recreational adaptive skiingwith local groups, external and a race league, external which is open to people with or without a disability.

Find your local centre in England, Wales or Scotland to get yourself on the slopes. The Ski Club of Northern Ireland has a useful Facebook page too. There's also loads of information at Disability Snowsport for anyone looking for inclusive skiing.