BBC Sport

American skier Mikaela Shiffrin clinched a record-equalling 15th World Championship medal as she and Breezy Johnson won gold in the inaugural team combined event in Saalbach.

The event, which will make its Olympic debut next year in Italy, sees one skier compete in a downhill, followed by their team-mate in a slalom.

Read more here.

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Sport

What is it?

Taking place almost exactly a year prior to the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, the Alpine Ski Championships are the perfect dress rehearsal for the world’s best skiers to showcase their talent on the slopes.

The championships have taken place in a variety of ski resorts all over the world since its inception 1931. This year, for its 48th edition, they’ll be hosted in Saalbach, Austria. It’s the second time the Austrian resort has held the event, last hosting the championships in 1991.

All races are held on the Zwölferkogel in Hinterglemm, which combines all World Cup slopes with just one finish area for all disciplines. The two racetracks are sure to test the skiers this year; with the Schneekristall and Ulli Maier slopes setting the stage for elite racing across the week. Saalbach promises to produce a vibrant, enthusiastic crowd atmosphere; with ski fanatics swarming the town from far and wide.

The story so far…

Austria hold the most alpine men’s titles with 56, with last year’s Men’s Downhill Champion’s home country Switzerland in second on 35. Marco Odermatt also took the win in the Giant Slalom in Courchevel, as Canada’s James Crawford claimed the Super-G title. Norway’s Henrik Kristoffersen, France’s Alexis Pinturault and German’s Alexander Schmid won the Slalom, Alpine combined and Parallel giant slalom events respectively.

It's a similar story in the women’s events, with Austria leading the rankings with 42 world titles and Switzerland sitting in second on 36. In 2023, Swiss skier Jasmine Flury led the way in the Downhill, whilst Italians Bassino and Brignone took home wins in the Super-G and Alpine combined. Mikaela Shiffrin won the Giant Slalom event, Laurence St. Germain of Canada claimed the Slalom title, with Norway’s Maria Therese Tviberg winning the Parallel giant slalom title.

Who to look out for

Image source, Getty Images

Eight male and six female athletes have been selected across six Alpine disciplines for the Championships for GB, making it the largest British Team selected for an Alpine World Championships in recent history. The squad marks an increase on the 12 athletes named for the 2023 Championships in Meribel-Courchevel, which at the time held the record for British representation.

The squad includes the full British Men’s Slalom World Cup team, consisting of: Dave Ryding, Billy Major and Laurie Taylor. They’ll line up alongside the likes of Roy Steudle, Victoria Palla and Reece Bell.

The remainder of the initial selection list includes: Owen Vinter, Calum Langmuir, Giselle Gorringe, Lois Jackson, Dominic Shackleton, Molly Butler, Abi Bruce and Jack Irving.

Reigning Olympic slalom champion Petra Vlhova will miss out on the World Championships in Austria, with the Slovak racer yet to recover from the knee injury she suffered a year ago at the World Cup in Jasna, Slovakia.

BBC iPlayer

Friday 14th February

Men's Giant Slalom - Run 1 (08:35 - 09:45) - Coverage available via BBC Red Button, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website

Men's Giant Slalom - Run 2 (12:05 - 13:15) - Coverage available via BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website

Saturday 15th February

Women's Slalom - Run 1 (08:35 - 09:45) - Coverage available via BBC Red Button, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website

Women's Slalom - Run 2 (12:05 - 13:15) - Coverage available via BBC Red Button, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website

Sunday 16th February

Men's Slalom - Run 1 (08:35 - 09:45) - Coverage available via BBC Red Button, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website

Men's Slalom - Run 2 (12:05 - 13:15) - Coverage available via BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website

Get Inspired
#GetInspired

How do I start?

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

What is skiing?

You fix on a pair of skis to your feet, whilst wearing special boots, and glide down a slope. Many people in the United Kingdom learn the basics of alpine skiing on dry ski slopes or at indoor snow centres, which offer lessons and equipment rental.

Is it for me?

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.

What to expect when I get there?

• Skiing is a great workout - you can burn up to 500 calories an hour.
• Your knees take on the weight of your body when you turn downhill, strengthening your bones and joints.
• As you go down the slope, your body is in a squat position, which improves your balance and builds your stomach and leg muscles.
• Snowsport centres and dry ski slopes around the country offer lessons to children as young as three.
• Skiing is open to all and anyone with a disability can compete. Disability Snowsport UK, external has loads of advice about getting involved. They offer lessons,, external recreational adaptive skiing with local groups, external and a race league, external which is open to people with or without a disability.