LOS ANGELES, CA // PARK CITY, UT (Feb. 26, 2025) – TOGETHXR  – the media and commerce company that originated the trademarked slogan “Everyone Watches Women’s Sports” – has joined forces with U.S. Ski & Snowboard to announce the exciting debut of The Drop In, a two part docuseries that pulls back the curtain on the 2023-24 women’s FIS World Cup park and pipe season and shows what it takes to be at the top of the sport. The Drop In will be available beginning Wednesday, Feb. 26 on TOGETHXR.com and YouTube.com/TOGETHXR.

The docuseries features six Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team athletes, including Olympic silver medalist Julia Marino, Olympian and World Cup winner Maddie Mastro and Olympian Courtney Rummel along with up-and-comers Bea Kim, Sonora “Sonny” Alba and Rebecca Flynn. The episodes provide valuable coverage of women’s halfpipe, slopestyle and big air snowboarding that is often overlooked in traditional sports media.

TOGETHXR was co-founded by Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team’s own Chloe Kim in collaboration with fellow women’s world champion athletes and sporting icons Alex Morgan, Simone Manual and Sue Bird, and is leading the charge in increasing women’s sports storytelling and representation across various media platforms. The Drop In aims to do just that for women’s World Cup snowboarding.

"At U.S. Ski & Snowboard, we are committed to further elevating women’s sports and ensuring these athletes get the recognition they deserve,” said U.S. Ski & Snowboard President and CEO Sophie Goldschmidt. “Women’s snowboarding continues to push the boundaries of progression, and The Drop In provides an inside look at the dedication, resilience and sheer talent of these incredible athletes on the Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team. We’re thrilled to partner with TOGETHXR to bring their stories to the forefront and inspire the next generation of riders."

“TOGETHXR remains committed to authentically telling the stories of incredible women athletes across a multitude of platforms," said Jessica Robertson, TOGETHXR Co-Founder & Chief Content Officer. "In collaboration with great partners at U.S. Ski & Snowboard, The Drop In provides an unfiltered perspective on the journey to greatness as both people and competitors."

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING:

Maddie Mastro; two-time Olympian, halfpipe: “I’m so stoked for this docu-series to come out and for women’s halfpipe snowboarding to get the recognition it deserves. I think people get excited every four years when they see the sport in the Olympics but forget that we are competing in non-Olympic years too. We are a step behind the men as far as visibility of the sport goes and so I hope The Drop In can help to get more eyes on the sport.” 

Sonora (Sonny) Alba; halfpipe: “The Drop In gives a real, unfiltered look into our world and I can’t wait for everyone to experience the passion and energy that drives us. It will give women’s snowboarding a spotlight which it so rightfully deserves. I’m especially excited for people to get this inside look at what it’s really like: the highs, the struggles, the dedication, and the friendships that make this world so unique.”

Bea Kim; halfpipe: “When I was little there wasn’t a lot of women’s snowboarding represented in traditional media, so it’s great to see outlets like TOGETHXR highlighting the sport. I hope this documentary inspires other young girls to go snowboarding, and maybe even push the boundaries of the sport in the future, but always remembering that  at the end of the day, it’s all about having fun.” 

Rebecca (Becca) Flynn; Youth Olympic Games big air silver medalist; slopestyle/big air: “Snowboarding is such a unique sport and the dynamics of the team are a lot of fun. I’m excited for people to get a behind-the-scenes look into our World Cup season as it’s not as widely followed as the sport is during Olympic years. I’m stoked for people to see just how cool our sport is – we are putting ourselves at risk every time we drop in and I’m excited to show off just how badass all the riders are.

SYNOPSIS

The Drop In is a two-part documentary series following six rising stars of the Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team as they push their limits in a sport where skill and visibility define success. Competing at the highest level isn't just about landing on the podium—it's about proving they belong in an industry where opportunity for women is still hard-earned. 

Through events like the Olympics and X Games, snowboarding has taken center stage on the global sports scene. But for these women, the journey to money and notoriety isn’t made on those podiums—it starts long before, in the relentless FIS World Cup season. This is where opportunities are won, reputations are built and performances determine who gets the chance to break through. We’re taking you behind the scenes of a high-stakes, tightly connected world where earning your place is as much about perseverance as it is about talent. Featuring halfpipe athletes Maddie Maestro, Sonny Alba and Bea Kim and slopestyle and big air athletes Rebecca Flynn, Courtney Rummel and Julia Marino, The Drop In captures the intensity, camaraderie and stakes of a season where one run could change everything.

Episode 1: The Climb
Maddie, Bea and Sonny each have different paths, but the same goal: winning. This episode explores the highs and lows of competing at the top level, balancing personal challenges, friendships and the relentless pursuit of progress. From career-defining moments to setbacks that test their resolve, they push forward, determined to leave their mark on the sport.

Episode 2: The Breakthrough
Rebecca, Courtney, and Julia know that success in snowboarding isn’t just about talent—it’s about proving they belong, over and over again. As they fight for recognition and opportunity, they navigate the physical and mental grind of the sport, chasing not only podiums but a lasting legacy in snowboarding.

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About U.S. Ski & Snowboard

U.S. Ski & Snowboard is the Olympic and Paralympic National Governing Body of ski and snowboard sports in the USA, based in Park City, Utah. Started in 1905, the organization now represents nearly 240 elite skiers and snowboarders competing on 10 teams: alpine, cross country, freestyle moguls, freestyle aerials, snowboard, freeski, nordic combined, ski jumping, Para alpine and Para snowboard. In addition to the elite teams, U.S. Ski & Snowboard also provides leadership and direction for tens of thousands of young skiers and snowboarders across the USA, encouraging and supporting them in achieving excellence. By empowering national teams, clubs, coaches, parents, officials, volunteers and fans, U.S. Ski & Snowboard is committed to the progression of its sports, athlete success and the value of team. For more information, visit www.usskiandsnowboard.org

About TOGETHXR
TOGETHXR is the fastest growing, most popular, and most engaging women's sports brand. The media and commerce company was co-founded by sports media veteran Jessica Robertson alongside four of the world’s greatest professional athletes: Alex Morgan, Chloe Kim, Simone Manuel, and Sue Bird. TOGETHXR originated the trademarked slogan "Everyone Watches Women’s Sports," boldly declaring an undeniable truth that the entire industry has embraced. With a focus on rich storytelling rooted in lifestyle and youth culture, TOGETHXR highlights a diverse and inclusive community of game-changers, culture shapers, thought leaders, and barrier breakers—finding and sharing the stories of women doing the same. As one of the most compelling platforms for women in sports and culture, TOGETHXR’s in-house production studio has developed a slate of premium scripted and unscripted content, streaming on platforms such as Amazon Prime, FuboTV, Bleacher Report, among others. In 2023, TOGETHXR was recognized as one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies.
 

Media Contacts

U.S. Ski & Snowboard

Sadie Texer, Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team Press Officer

sadie.texer@usskiandsnowboard.com

TOGETHXR

Christa Mann; CMS PR Consulting

cmann@cmsprconsulting.com

PARK CITY, Utah (Feb. 27, 2025) - U.S. Ski & Snowboard announced changes to its Alpine Development program effective in the 2025-26 season. The new model seeks to enhance competitive performance at all levels through more regional programming, which will better prepare more athletes for success on the World Cup. 

U.S. Ski & Snowboard will take a broad approach with youth development opportunities to inspire and educate the younger generation. This program will focus on developing junior athletes who typically specialize in one discipline to excelling in multiple disciplines, designed to build more athletes toward elite rankings and eventually become contenders on the World Cup. 

As athletes rise in talent, U.S. Ski & Snowboard will provide focused FIS performance opportunities for those identified as elite performers. In addition, named Regional Development Teams consisting of the best 14-21 years old in the country will have regional, national and international training and racing opportunities. Having removed the D Team in October from the criteria, these Regional Development Teams serve to support elite development athletes seeking to ultimately make the Stifel U.S. Ski Team. The key to the new approach is flexibility, allowing entry points at various ages and levels at any time based on recent results. 

Key points of the new development strategy:

• Focused National Team: Naming elite athletes who achieve podium results at Stifel Success NorAm Series, Europa Cups and World Cups.
• Performance-Based Regional Development Teams: Top-performing development athletes will be named by region. 
• Expanded Regional Programming: Offering regional, national and international training and racing opportunities to the top athletes of each region. 
• Robust Regional Coaching: Each region will have a dedicated men's and women’s Regional Development Team coach, two of whom will serve as national development coaches to ensure collaboration between other regional teams and up into the national team.
• Flexible Athlete Pathways: Athletes will be invited into regional programming based on recent performance at various levels and ages throughout the year. 
• Emphasis on Fitness: Strength and conditioning support from U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s High Performance team.
• Sports Medicine Support: Assistance for injured Regional Team athletes, including return-to-snow programs.
• Pathway to the National Team: High-performing athletes will be elevated to the Stifel U.S. Ski Team.
• Support for Collegiate Skiing: College athletes will receive supplemental elite level training within their respective regions.
• Elite Training Venues: U.S. Ski & Snowboard will leverage its position to secure top-tier training locations.
• Cost Reduction for Top Athletes: Financial support will be provided to high-performing athletes.
• U.S. Ski & Snowboard Regional Rebranding: A stronger and more unified identity for U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s regional programs.

The criteria for the Regional Teams has been posted here and the general programming for each respective age group (U16, U18, U22) can be found here.

QUOTES
“We are very excited about these changes and want to say thank you to the club and program leaders who have provided valuable insight and feedback as we’ve developed this program. We will continue to seek to improve and fine-tune our efforts and always welcome feedback. Together, as a nation, we can provide best-in-class ski racing experiences and opportunities for the champions of tomorrow.”
-Chip Knight, Alpine Development Director, U.S. Ski & Snowboard 

“To be successful on the World Cup, we needed to re-look at our Development program. By injecting coaches and capital into the regions and providing performance-focused programming for the top development athletes, we will yield a denser pool of multi-disciplinary athletes making it to the top.”

-Anouk Patty, Chief of Sport, U.S. Ski & Snowboard

The Toyota U.S. Para Snowboard Team took advantage of their first home snow World Cup start since 2017 by landing six on the podium in Steamboat Springs, including Mike Schultz, who earned his first World Cup win of the season. 

"It's been a long time since we've raced a World Cup here in the U.S., and it felt amazing to land on top of the podium today," said Schultz. "It was a beautiful day, exciting racing, and a fun course to ride."

The conditions were picture-perfect at Steamboat Ski Resort, with warm weather and winds to keep the course intact. The women kicked things off in qualification, where Brenna Huckaby took the top seed heading into the finals with the best women’s time of the day. Huckaby would stay in the top spot throughout the day, all the way to the top of the podium. Kate Delson qualified in second place, Rebecca Johnston in fourth, Jackie Hamwey in fifth, Courtney Godfrey in sixth and Dennae Russell in seventh. 

In the men’s LL-1 qualification, Schultz led the way, qualifying in second place just 0.3 off the top spot. Noah Elliott qualified in third. Zach Miller was the top qualifier in the men’s LL-2 class, finishing in fourth, followed by Aleks Godowski in eighth and Joe Pleban in 10th. Colby Fields qualified in fifth for the men’s UL. 

In the semifinals, Huckaby and Delson both took the top spot in their respective heats, sending them to the big final along with Johnson. Godfrey, Hamwey and Russell comprised the small final. Due to the number of competitors in the men’s LL-1 class, there was a preheat to determine who would advance to the big final. Elliott won the heat to secure the final spot in the big final alongside Schultz. In the LL-2 preheat, Joe Pleban earned his way into the semifinals. Zach Miller continued to shine, advancing to the big final. Pleban and Fields advanced to the small finals.

Anticipation was building among the athletes as the finals neared. Huckaby was unphased, and won the women's LL big final by a considerable margin, earning her second win and fourth podium of the year. Delson came in second, her third podium of the season. Johnson finished just off the podium in fourth, followed by Godfrey in fifth, Russell in sixth and Hamwey in seventh. Isabelle Hicks was the lone competitor in the women’s UL class but put down great runs all day, earning experience and the win on the way.

Elliott and Schultz went head to head in the men’s LL-1 big final, both vying for the top spot on the podium. Despite Elliott’s best efforts, Schultz found that next gear to earn his first win of the season in front of his family cheering in the finish. Elliott finished in second, his seventh podium of the season.

"It's been too long since I took the top spot, so this one feels incredible, especially since my family was here to experience it," said Schultz. "They haven't seen me race since 2018, so this one was special. "Right now, I'm focused on the race tomorrow, followed by World Championships in Canada next week, which carries a lot of weight for us as we head into the Paralympics in Italy next year."

Miller was the sole U.S. representative in the men’s LL-2 big final, going against some of the toughest competitors in the race. In the closest battle of the day, Miller finished on the podium in third place, his first snowboard cross podium of the season. Pleban finished eighth in the small final. Fields finished seventh in the men’s UL small final. 

On Feb. 26, the team does it all again for the second World Cup in Steamboat Springs. Tune in at 12:10 pm ET on live timing. 

RESULTS
Women
Men

On Sunday, February 23, 2025, Stifel U.S. Ski Team athlete and greatest alpine skier of all time Mikaela Shiffrin won her 100th World Cup win in Sestriere, Italy with teammate Paula Moltzan just behind in third place. 

“Today was just a amazing day in the middle of some really tough months, but I'm very thankful for this day,” said Shiffrin.  

It was poised to be a special day when the snowy skies turned sunny the afternoon of the slalom race. The Italian fans came out and were ready to cheer on what would eventually become a historic day. In the first run, the Stifel U.S. Ski Team showed promise with three athletes heading to run two. Shiffrin ran bib four and knifed her run to take the lead by 0.09 seconds. Moltzan, who has had an up-and-down year in slalom races, showed no signs of slowing down as she glided right into fourth place - a great spot for a potential podium leap. 

AJ Hurt also skied well to make run two. Katie Hensien and Nina O’Brien did not finish the first run but are OK. Youngster Liv Moritz started in her first slalom World Cup and skied great at the top but lost a little time down near the bottom to land outside of the 30. 

The second run was set by Shiffrin’s coach Janne Haarala and it featured a lot of tricky rhythm sections, hairpins and flushes - but it caused no trouble for the U.S. gals. Hurt absolutely nailed her run, gaining time at every split, to cross the line well over a half-second in the lead and set the pace for the women’s team. Hurt would end up 13th overall and second on the second run. 

“It's not so steep anywhere so you have to go as hard as you can and that’s what I tried to do today,” said Hurt. “I am feeling good about today and my weekend overall.” 

Young Swedish skier Cornelia Oehlund held the lead for more than 10 racers, but Moltzan attacked - wanting that top rung. While she lost a chunk of her lead down to the bottom, she saved enough to take the new lead and eventually move to third place. It was her third podium of the season and first slalom podium of the season. 

“I think there were still a lot of mistakes in the second round but I just kept trying to keep my skis down the hill,” said Moltzan. “I knew that everyone in front of me was coming behind Cornelia, so I just wanted to lay everything on the line and see how it played out.” 

Finally all eyes were on Shiffrin. She did not have a lot of time to play with, so she had to lay down a run that would give her the victory. At every turn, Shiffrin was skiing to win, gaining time at each interval to clinch her 100th victory. A look of disbelief lay on her face as the emotions set in. 

“I feel like the mountain ahead of me is steep and long,” said Shiffrin. “If I get there and when I get there it will be very sweet but for now I just have to take this day and be grateful for it. Because it's a small moment in the middle of many tough moments that makes me feel like maybe I can be good again.” 

Shiffrin was notably out of competition for 2.5 months from a brutal injury she sustained in Killington while on her way to her 100th victory in November. It has been an intense road back to victory for Shiffrin - yet on Sunday, she defied the odds and ended up on top. Shiffrin now had 63 slalom wins, 100 wins and 155 World Cup podium finishes. 

“It certainly feels like I've been fighting a lot lately and it's been hard to find the right momentum and the right flow,” said Shiffrin. “So to come back and compete with these women who are skiing so strong and so fast is amazing.” 

In the finish area her teammates and family greeted her wearing their new “MIK100” shirts to show support of her incredible accomplishment. Drenched in champagne, full of emotions and smiles, Shiffrin walked away from the Sestriere weekend with her illusive 100th win done and dusted. 

The next stop on the World Cup tech tour will be in Are, Sweden for a slalom and giant slalom March 8-9. 

RESULTS 
Women's slalom

The action in Beidahu continued with the aerials event, and Chris Lillis continued to build on his momentum from Deer Valley with a third place finish. 

The conditions in China did not disappoint with another crisp sunny day for jumping. In qualifications, Karenna Elliott led the way for the U.S. women, throwing a back full full to qualify in fifth place. Dani Loeb missed out on finals, finishing 14th. Tasia Tanner finished 18th.

Quinn Dehlinger and Chris Lillis were determined to build off their podium finishes in Deer Valley, and their quest had a strong start in qualifications. Quinn threw a back full double full full qualifying seventh. Lillis stepped up the difficulty by throwing the highest DD jump in the qualification round, a back double full full full to qualify fourth. Connor Curran finished 17th, followed by Ian Schoenwald in 28th. 

In finals, Elliott, Lillis and Dehlinger all put down great jumps to move on to super finals, where the action began to heat up. Elliott advanced in third place, Dehlinger in fifth and Lillis in sixth. In super finals, Elliott competed a back double full full for the first time, and it was only her fifth time attempting the trick on snow. Against all odds, she was able to land it beautifully, her first time ever landing the skill. This is an exciting move for Elliott to increase her degree of difficulty heading into World Championships. Her jump landed her in fourth place.

“I’m feeling very confident with this trick, considering how new it is and how well it’s going,” said Elliott. “Moving forward, I would like to clean up my form a bit and make my landings a lot sharper.” 

On the men’s side, Dehlinger decided to up the difficulty in super finals and went for a back double full full full. His jump was perfect in the air and form; however, an overrotation caused a fall on the landing. He finished the day sixth. Lillis went for “the daddy” in super finals, a back full double full full, and absolutely stomped it. He earned the highest landing score of the round to finish third, his third podium of the season. 

“It feels good to be getting some solid momentum going into World Championships at the end of the year,” said Lillis. “Each week on the World Cup presents a unique challenge, and Kazakhstan will be no different. It is one of the more difficult sites to jump on tour, but I’ve had a lot of success there in the past and am very familiar with the venue, so I’m just hoping to get there, get acclimate,d and keep putting down solid jumps when it counts.”

Next up, Elliott, Dehlinger and Lillis take on the mixed aerials team event in Beidah together on Feb. 24 alongside Loeb, Curran and Schoenwald. Tune in at 1:00 a.m. ET on skiandsnowboard.live. 

RESULTS
Women
Men

Sestriere, ITA (Feb. 23, 2025)— Stifel U.S. Ski Team’s Mikaela Shiffrin, the most decorated alpine skier of all time, achieved another historic milestone on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025—winning her 100th World Cup in Sestriere, Italy. Achieving this feat just two and a half months after she was injured and on the heels of yet another gold medal from the Saalbach World Championships, Shiffrin further solidified her legacy as one of the greatest athletes of all time. 

Shiffrin’s 100th historic win in Sestriere was her second World Cup slalom race back after a violent crash at the Stifel Killington Cup in November. En route to what would have been her 100th victory in Vermont, Shiffrin caught an edge and fell just above the finish line, resulting in a seven-centimeter puncture wound in her abdomen that tore into her external and internal oblique muscles. Rising above the lingering mental and physical trauma, Shiffrin didn’t miss a beat to secure her 100th World Cup win in Italy—once again resetting the sport.

Shiffrin has been building upon her success since she claimed her first World Cup win at just 16 years old in the 2012 Åre World Cup in slalom. Now aged 29, Shiffrin’s list of accolades has surpassed all expectations as she redefines the standard of greatness in her sport time and time again. 

In March 2023, her 87th World Cup victory overtook Sweden’s Ingemar Stenmark’s World Cup win record set in 1986, making her the winningest alpine skier in history. She is the only skier to win in each of the World Cup’s six disciplines – slalom (63), giant slalom (22), super-G (5), downhill (4), combined (1) and parallel (5). She has won 16 Crystal Globes, five of which are overalls, alpine’s most esteemed achievement. She has also earned three Olympic medals (two gold) and 15 World Championship medals (eight gold) – tied for the most in ski racing history. Statistically, Shiffrin wins 36% of the races she starts and podiums in 56%. Outside of competition, Shiffrin was listed as one of TIME 100’s Most Influential People in 2023, the same year she was awarded an ESPY for “Best Athlete - Women’s Sports.” 

“Mikaela Shiffrin is truly one of a kind,” said Sophie Goldschmidt, President and CEO of U.S. Ski & Snowboard. “Not only does she reset record after record within her sport, but she does it with a sense of humility and grace. We are so lucky to have watched the greatest of all time make this centennial mark on the sport, further etching her name in history books.” 

In celebration of her milestone 100th World Cup victory, Shiffrin has partnered with Share Winter Foundation to raise $100,000 in support of its learn-to-ski and snowboard programs, which offers access to youth historically denied access to snowsports. 

“I know that not everyone is blessed with the good fortune I have come across; in fact, very few are, and over the years, the lack of accessibility for a diverse group of people in winter sports has funneled us into a very not diverse community,” reflected Shiffrin. “I see this 100 victory conversation as an opportunity to bring more eyes and, ideally, more passion to the sport. It’s incredible, of course, but I’d like to turn the spotlight to something bigger than me.” 

“Helping Share Winter bring more kids to the mountain is really meaningful. It’s far bigger than me winning 100 races. This will make that 100th victory one of the most meaningful to me,” said Shiffrin.

Constance Beverley, CEO of Share Winter Foundation, highlights the significance of this moment Shiffrin is marking in history as much more than a milestone and an opportunity to celebrate skiing and pay it forward for the next generation. “The willingness to take this moment and transform it into a movement, to share this win in an effort to create opportunity, that’s what makes Mikaela Shiffrin the greatest of all time,” reflected Beverley. “It’s not the win that makes her the best; it’s her understanding of what the win could mean—a chance to reset what’s possible for everyone in our sport.” 

Shiffrin looks forward to building upon her athletic and philanthropic legacy throughout the remainder of the 2024-25 season, with the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics on the horizon. 

RESULTS
Women’s slalom

ASSETS FOR MEDIA
Media Kit

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Courtney Harkins
Director of Marketing & Communications, U.S. Ski & Snowboard
courtney.harkins@usskiandsnowboard.org 

FOR MIKAELA SHIFFRIN MEDIA INQUIRIES 
Megan Harrod
Mikaela Shiffrin, Publicist
megan.harrod@usskiandsnowboard.org 

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Sixteen year old rookie Oliver Martin earned his first World Cup victory, and subsequent first World Cup podium, and veteran teammate Red Gearard finished just behind him in second place at Saturday’s slopestyle competition at the the Calgary Snow Rodeo.

The Hydro Flask U.S Snowboard Team put seven riders through to finals on the men's side of competition and the squad came out swinging. After two solid top-to-bottom pulls from Judd Henkes and Sean FitzSimons, rookie Ollie Martin looked to continue the American momentum and delivered. Martin kicked off the rail section with a back 450 boardslide to fakie, a half cab back boardslide 270 and a back boardslide cord 630 weddle before sending a switch back double cork 1260 melon and a back double cork 1440 gorilla on the first two jumps. His third and final jump was the true show stopper- a front double cork 1440 indy off the shark fin feature that had the Canadian crowd on their feet. Cool, calm and collected as ever was Martin as he received his first run score from the judges- a massive 80.60 that put him in the top spot heading into run two. Teammate Red Gerard was the only rider to get in striking distance of Martin’s score, showing veteran composure under pressure to post a second place worthy 78.63 on his first drop after a string of mistakes attributed to the slushy conditions from the warming temperature plagued the second wave of riders

Despite stringing together a solid second pull, Martin was not able to best his first run score on his final attempt and was left anxiously waiting in the finish area with nine riders left who could ruin his chances of a podium result. The rookie watched as teammates Fynn Bullock, Judd Henkes, Sean Fitzsimons, Jake Canter and Dusty Henricksen all aimed for the top spot, but none of the Americans were able to shake up the top-three. Martin and Gerard’s first run scores stood in the top two spots for the entirety of the second run and ultimately earned the teammates a spot next to each other on the podium. Martin’s win in Calgary checks two major milestones off the list for the young sixteen year old rookie- his first World Cup podium and first World Cup victory.

“It feels amazing, I couldn’t be more happy," said Martin. "I didn’t think I was going to do this well today in such a stacked field, but I’m so happy and proud of my riding. Waiting for the other riders to drop was super stressful, especially because of how good everyone is, so I’m just stoked to be on the podium and it makes it even better that it’s a win. So cool being up there with Red, too.”

Martin’s previous best result was a fourth place finish in the Visa Big Air presented by Toyota last month in Aspen. Gerard’s second place finish marks his second time on the podium this season after taking the runner up spot in January’s Laax Open. This was his first podium appearance in Calgary.

Dusty Henricksen, the top American qualifier heading into the final, took fifth overal, Jake Canter seventh, Judd Henkes eighth, Fynn Bullock 12th and Sean Fitzsimons, coming off a third place finish at the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix in Aspen, 15th. Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team's Rebecca Flynn was the lone American woman to qualify through to the main event and put down a first run heater to earn her fifth overall on the day. 

The Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team sits in fifth overall in the Nations Cup standings and Gerard moes up to second place in the men’s snowboard slopestyle overall standings. 

The slopestyle squad has a few weeks off from World Cup competition before heading to Austria’s Absolut Park Flachauwinkl in mid-march for the final slopestyle competition of the 2024/25 FIS Snowboard World Cup season.

Results
Women
Men

Rell Harwood of the Stifel U.S. Freeski Team made it back-to-back slopestyle podiums, capturing third in Stoneham, Quebec, Canada for the final North American World Cup of the season. 

The weather has been tricky all week, with high winds impacting the way athletes structured their runs. In qualifications earlier in the week, five Americans progressed to finals: Harwood, Alex Hall, Konnor Ralph, Mac Forehand and Cody LaPlante. Harwood was the sole woman to progress to finals, while Ralph and Hall were the top qualifiers in their respective heats.

Harwood put down a clean second run and scored a 74.11, bumping her into the third spot. Harwood toned down some of her usual style to cater to the challenging conditions, but still executed cleanly. Harwood was stoked to be on the podium, saying, "I had so much fun skiing today! The weather conditions were challenging, so I was just happy to put a run down that I was stoked on!". Harwood also added a new trick to her repertoire recently, a switch on front 450, that she got to use in her run today.

Harwood was joined on the podium by Italy's Flora Tabanelli in first and China's Ruyi Yang in second. This is Harwood's second consecutive slopestyle podium, having podiumed at the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix in Aspen - and just her second slopestyle podium ever. 

On the men's side, Ralph was one of the only athletes in the field to put down a clean first run. It unfortunately didn't keep him in the top spot, but he came back on run two to secure a fourth place finish. Forehand also had a great second run, landing him in fifth for the day. Hall finished the day in 12th, with LaPlante 14th.

The men's side was won by Austria's Matej Svancer, with New Zealand's Luca Harrington and Ben Barclay in second and third, respectively. 

The race for the Crystal Globe is still on, with one more slopestyle and big air competition to come in Tignes, France. The race is tight and three American men are vying for the Globe. Harwood currently sits in fourth overall for the women, and looks to bump up her standings by the end of the season.

RESULTS
Women
Men

The 2025 Phillips 66 FIS Masters Cup and Western Regional Championships at Big Sky Resort in Montana February 7-9 was a true international event. The start lists included 109 racers from 11 countries: United States, Canada, Austria, Japan, Czechia, France, Great Britain, Hungary, Italy, New Zealand, and Switzerland. Thanks to the racers who traveled from near and far, the sponsor, Phillips 66, the organizer, Big Sky Ski Education Foundation, and Big Sky Resort for making it a great event. The racing was amazing, but the time spent with friends old and new is what keeps us coming back for more.

In what seems to be a predictable plot twist, there was snow in the forecast for the Friday of SG racing. On race day, there was only a few inches on the ground when it was time for the race officials and crew to head up to prep the hill. It would take some slipping, but would be manageable. While setting the course over the next hour, 3-5 more inches fell and it became an all legs on deck situation. With the guidance of the race officials and crew, the racers slipped through 3-10 times systematically moving the snow to clear the majority of the trail side to side to create a safe race venue. Even the resort ski school instructors not currently with lessons came out to help. It was after lunch when we were given the green light for racing. All the effort was well worth it. The track had been cleared to a prime surface and the course was a blast. Unfortunately, with the extra time needed in the morning to prepare the venue, there was not enough time for a second SG race. The morning slipping had kept everyone warm, but with 12 degree temps with a cool breeze gusting at times, everyone was also looking forward to heading in to warm up. The next stop was awards to rest the weary legs and recoup some of the extra calories burnt. The forecast for the remaining days was for minimal additional snow. 

What Saturday lacked in snow challenges, it made up for it with frigid temperatures. Racers, officials, crew, and volunteers donned every layer, coat, and heating device they had to be out on the hill for the whole day in the low single digit temperatures. Drained by the cold, batteries were replaced on some timing equipment and others devices had hand warmers attached to them just to be able to function. Despite the timing challenges the GS racing was fantastic. The course setters did an excellent job and the racers were going full gas. Hangmans, the race trail for the event has a variety of terrain. The trail has some easy warmup turns at the top before diving down a long pitch, veering to right, then gently rolling down to the finish. Racers gathered again that evening for awards to celebrate the GS winners and congratulate their fellow competitors.

Racers and crew alike were excited to see temperatures in the teens for SL on Sunday. The course setters again did a great job, setting 4 courses for the day. Using the new FIS Masters guidelines, Groups D(women 60+ years) and B(men 60+ years) raced on the right course and Groups C(women 30-59) and A(men 30-59) raced on the left. Racers 18-29 years, ineligible for FIS, but racing in the Western Regional Championships  raced with groups C/A. As racers charged into the finish, they were out of breath and smiling. Though awards were initially planned for outside, racers gladly reconvened in a hotel sitting room by a fireplace for the final awards. Awards wrapped with the announcement of the Western Region Age Class Champions. Women     Men

Race Results

FIS Masters Cup results on the FIS Website and usalpinemasters.org/2025/fismasters

Western Regional Championship results posted at usalpinemasters.org/2025/wr

Western Championships Class Champions:    Women     Men

Race Photos available for purchase from Big Sky Photo.

Good luck to all the competitors chasing globes this season!

The majority of the FIS Masters Cup (FMC) are held in Europe, but each year North America hosts consecutive events in Canada and the United states that draw international competitors looking for a little adventure and the opportunity to get 8-10 FMC starts in the span of a week. For North American racers, it's a key opportunity to get starts close to home so they can be a contender for the FIS Masters Cup with just 1 or 2 trips to Europe - most Masters racers do have jobs, families, and other obligations after all! The winner, of the FMC in each age class, is the racer accumulating the highest number of points taking into account their 12 best races of the season - racers must be ranked in 6 races to be eligible. For most age classes, traveling to the Finals is Europe, is essential to get the double points awarded there. 

FIS Masters Cup Standings

Thank you to our sponsor Phillips 66 for the financial support to buy fun award medals, group awards, and Western Regional Champion fleeces!

After an impressive day one of competition in Beidahu, the Stifel U.S. Ski Team took it up a notch, qualifying nine athletes on to the finals, where Jaelin Kauf continued her winning streak and Tess Johnson joined her on the podium in third place for the first time in almost two years. 

It was another picture-perfect day in China, with the sun peeking through the clouds and a below-freezing temperature keeping the bumps slick and fast, the perfect combination for duals. Due to the lower number of competitors at this event, the women started in the round of 32, and Kauf was able to qualify for the finals automatically. 

In the first round, Kylie Kariotis, Kasey Hogg, Olivia Giaccio and Johnson won their duals to advance to finals alongside Kauf. Kai Owens had a tough first-round dual against Hinako Tomitaka (JPN) and finished the day 17th. All four U.S. athletes advanced on the men’s side, including Dylan Walczyk, who dueled Daeyoon Jung (KOR), who has been having a breakout season. Nick Page, Asher Michel and Charlie Mickel joined him in the finals for the round of 16. 

The 1/8th finals brought some exciting matchups, including Kariotis against Maia Schwinghammer (CAN), who recently had her first World Cup win. Kariotis threw down and won the dual 21 to 14 against the Canadian. The unfortunate side of dual moguls is when two Americans have to go head to head. Giaccio and Hogg battled it out, and Giaccio advanced to the quarter finals. Hogg finished the day 12th. Mickel had one of the toughest matchups of the day in the round of 16, going up against the king, Mikael Kingsbury (CAN). Mickel has said that he has always wanted to duel Kingsbury, so the challenge was welcomed, and he put up a fight but lost the dual 15 to 20. Mickel finished 12th, Walczyk 14th and Michel 16th. 

Kauf went up against Tomitaka (JPN) in the quarter-finals, winning 24 to 11. Kariotis and Giaccio went head to head, and unfortunately, Giaccio suffered a fall that took her out of the competition. Giaccio finished in eighth place. Johnson took on the number three ranked Rino Yanagimoto (JPN) and prevailed, securing herself a spot in the semi-finals and the ability to fight for a medal position. Page also had a battle on his hands in the quarters as he took on Matt Graham (AUS), known as "the missile," for his speed. Page took the win 20 to 15 to advance to the semis. 

In the semifinals, Page was paired with Severi Vierela (FIN) who advanced and went on to earn his first career win. Page finished fourth, his fourth top five finish of the season. 

Of the four spots available in the semifinals, the U.S. women occupied three, guaranteeing at least two podium finishes. Kauf and Kariotis went head to head in semifinal one, where Kauf dominated to advance to the big final. In semifinal two, Johnson went up against Perrine Laffont (FRA) and just missed the big final, losing 15 to 20. 

The small final was an all-American affair, with Johnson and Kariotis battling it out. Kariotis was quick out of the gate, and the competitors were neck and neck the entire way down the course. Unfortunately, Kariotis blew out right before the bottom air. Johnson’s win in the small final brought her to the third spot on the podium, her first podium finish in almost two years and her first duals podium since 2021. Despite skiing out, Kariotis’ performance in the duals earned her a new personal best, finishing fourth, an incredible accomplishment. 

The big final was a familiar lineup, with Kauf dueling Laffont once again for the top spot on the podium. Kauf, known for her speed, pushed the pace the entire way down the course, and Laffont couldn’t keep up, having to ski out to save herself from a fall. This is Kauf’s 11th podium finish in a row and fifth consecutive win.

“I’m super happy with my skiing today, the duals were super fun and I’m so stoked to take the win and share the podium with my teammate Tess getting her first podium of the year,” said Kauf. 

This win further advances her lead in the overall World Cup season standings. Kauf has been second overall three times, but has never won the overall Crystal Globe. The last American to win an overall Globe was Hannah Kearney in 2015. 

Next up, the moguls athletes head to Almaty, Kazakhstan, for another set of moguls and dual moguls events Feb. 28-Mar. 1. Plus, the action in Beidahu continues with aerials on Feb. 23 and mixed aerials team on Feb. 24. Tune in at 1:00 a.m. ET both days on skiandsnowboard.live. 

RESULTS
Women
Men