In the first men’s speed race of the season, Stifel U.S. Ski Team athlete Bryce Bennett took the win in Thursday’s downhill race in Val Gardena/Gröden, Italy. It was his second victory on the track. 

“Last season I struggled all season long and I worked as hard as I could this summer," said Bennett. "But this year I am feeling confident and I want to continue this not just today, but this whole season." 

After a few days of concerning weather, the sun was overhead and blue skies came through, making for a beautiful downhill day in the Italian Dolomites. It was the first speed race of the season, after two previous speed weekends in Zermatt-Cervinia and Beaver Creek could not go on due to weather. 

The race began from the super-G start and the times were extremely close, with less than one second separating 30th place from first. After 30 races, Aleksander Aamodt Kilde of Norway, the season’s previous downhill globe winner, held the lead, with Swiss phenom Marco Odermatt in second. 

But make way for Bryce Bennett. Bennett blazed down the track running bib 34. His top split immediately on par with the top racers and he kept getting faster and faster. The noise of the crowd was defeaning as Bennett flew over the final jump, punching it to the line with the green light flashing. Bennett roared in the finish, winning his second World Cup downhill in his career. 

“I am speechless," said Bennett. "We have been working really hard with a lot of good camps this summer and I have been showing good skiing but I just love it here. I changed the approach last year and this year and I am just so happy. I wanted a good run today and I just had to let it flow and trust myself.”

Val Gardena has been a beloved place on the Stifel U.S. Ski Team through the years, with legends such as Billy Kidd, Bode Miller, Steven Nyman, Ryan Cochran-Siegle and Bennett having wins and podiums on the Saslong track. And a lot of credit goes to the renowned Fischer serviceman Leo Messi, who now has nine wins on the track between Bennett (2), Nyman (3) and Italian Kristian Ghedina (4). 

The rest of the Stifel U.S. Ski Team squad also came back with strong results. Cochran-Siegle landed a 14th place in the downhill and Jared Goldberg took 18th. Both men skied exceptionally well and are amped for the next two races in Val Gardena.

“I am feeling like I had a good approach mentally and am focusing on the things I do well,” said Cochran-Siegle. “I think this will give me some confidence for the next few days.” 

Stifel U.S. Ski Team athletes Kyle Negomir landed just outside of the 30 in 37th, Sam Morse was 45th and Sam DuPratt made his return to the World Cup tour in 58th place. 

For DuPratt, making it to the finish line was the biggest accomplishment of his day. Three years ago on the exact same track, DuPratt had a large crash and broke both of his legs, taking him out of the sport for the next few seasons. 

“It had to be pretty poetic to have my first World Cup back be in Gardena where I went down three years ago,” said DuPratt. “I think it added to some nerves. I don’t know if I felt them but they were in the back of my head. The fear of crashing again is definitely something I thought about, but it happens and I just need to accept it and work on my skiing. I'm happy to be back and ready for the super-G.” 

The speed men will now prepare for a super-G race in Val Gardena/Gröden Friday with another downhill Saturday. 

RESULTS
Men's downhill

HOW TO WATCH (times in ET)
5:45 a.m. - Val Gardena/Gröden, men’s super-G, skiandsnowboard.live
5:45 a.m. - Val Gardena/Gröden, men’s downhill, skiandsnowboard.live

On Saturday’s men’s giant slalom in Val d’Isére, Stifel U.S. Ski Team athlete River Radamus secured a 10th place result in the first men’s giant slalom of the season. 

It was a difficult giant slalom race across the board with over 20 racers not finishing the first run. The course's first run set was turny and difficult to keep a rhythm. Many of the world’s best had trouble making it down the course clean. 

“Val d’Isére is the most challenging and demanding giant slalom of the circuit so it was a tough welcome back to the circuit,” said Radamus.

Radamus ran bib 16 and landed in the 10th spot after run one. The swiss skier, Marco Odermatt, continued his dominant skiing, both run one and two up over a second from the rest of the field. The second run was just as tricky for the skiers. However Radamus skied a clean line making it to the finish without hesitation. He ended up in 10th place for his first giant slalom of the season. 

“It was awesome to get one under the belt and to come away with the top ten was great,” said Radamus. “I wasn't thrilled with either of my runs and I have a lot of work to ski the way I know I can on race day but still happy with the top ten.”

Swiss phenom Marco Odermatt won the race by almost a second, Marco Schwarz of Austria took second place and Andorra’s Joan Verdu landed his first Word Cup podium in third, he also secured Andorra’s first World Cup podium in any winter Olympic sport. 

Stifel U.S. Ski Team member George Steffey did not qualify for the second run. Tommy Ford, Brian McLaughlin, Isaiah Nelson and Patrick Kenney also raced but they did not finish the first run. 

The next men’s giant slalom will be in Alta Badia, Italy Dec. 17-18. The men’s slalom team will hit the Val d’Isére slope next on Sunday. 

RESULTS

giant slalom

HOW TO WATCH (Times in ET)

3:30 a.m. - Val d’Isére World Cup, men’s slalom, run 1, skiandsnowboard.live

6:30 a.m. - Val d’Isére World Cup, men’s slalom, run 2, skiandsnowboard.live

On Saturday’s women’s downhill in St. Moritz, Stifel U.S. Ski Team member and winningest skier of all time Mikaela Shiffrin notched her fourth downhill victory, 91st World Cup win and 142nd World Cup podium. Stifel U.S. Ski Team member Bella Wright also started her downhill season strong with a 12th place finish.

The day started out beautiful and sunny with a solid snow surface for the competitors. Shiffrin ran bib three and immediately took the top spot, skiing an aggressive and clean line to nail the pitch and rollers. The fiercest downhill competitor, Sofia Goggia of Italy, came just a few skiers later, also skiing an gutsy line. She came in just 0.15 behind Shiffrin, giving Shiffrin the clear lead and eventual win. Goggia ultimately took second place with Italian teammate Federica Brignone in third. 

“Today was amazing,” said Shiffrin. “I felt so good with my plan and my skiing. The biggest challenge for me was to trust that if I don’t ski the perfect line I can still dive into the turn with confidence.” 

Wright ran just after Shiffrin with bib four. She also took an aggressive approach, executing the pitch perfectly and punching it to the line with a competitive time, ending the day in 12th place. 

“Today was a big stepping stone for me,” said Wright. “I've been having some interesting training days and I’ve been trying to lay down an aggressive run so I was happy to make it to the finish with a smile on my face.”

The action continued for the Stifel U.S. Ski Team with Alice Merryweather set to make her official return to World Cup skiing running bib 33. The weather began to turn just a few racers before her run with the sun going behind the clouds, making the visibility extremely poor and dangerous for speed. The race still ran as planned for Merryweather and she made it down to the finish. 

“It was probably one of the scariest runs I’ve ever done,” said Merryweather. “It was so dark so it was not what I would have wanted as my first run back, but I am also really proud I made it down and if I can get through that hopefully I can ski almost anything."

As Merryweather crossed the finish line she was overcome with emotion as she made her return to the circuit after more than three years off the circuit. Her teammates immediately embraced her in the finish area congratulating her for making it back. 

“It has been more than three and a half years since I pushed out of a World Cup start gate and I’ve dreamed of this day for so long. There are so many emotions and so much that has helped me become who I am in the past three years,” said Merryweather. 

The race was called off right after Merryweather ran due to the extremely poor visibility making it unsafe to continue. However, the race is still considered a valid race.

Jackie Wiles, Keely Cashman, Tricia Mangan and Lauren Macuga all slated to compete did not run due to the midway cancelation. 

The women’s speed team will now switch gears to a super-G on Sunday. 

RESULTS
Women's downhill

HOW TO WATCH (Times in ET)

4:30 a.m. - St. Moritz World Cup, women’s super-G, skiandsnowboard.live

On Friday’s super-G in St. Moritz, Switzerland, Stifel U.S. Ski Team athlete Mikaela Shiffrin snagged a fourth place finish in the season speed opener.

Shiffrin was joined by teammates Keely Cashman and Lauren Macuga in the top 30. Cashman notched a 24th place and Lauren Macuga scored her first super-G points in 30th. 

It was a snowy and overcast day for the race but there was a solid surface underfoot. As racers came down, the light on the slope started to fade, making for a challenging race all around. Shiffrin ran bib 11, initially skiing into the third place spot, but Swiss skier Lara Gut-Behrami came in after Shiffrin, taking over the third place position. Italian skier and the previous season’s downhill Crystal Globe winner, Sofia Goggia, won the race in dominant fashion, almost a second up from the second place finisher, Austrian skier Cornelia Huetter. 

“I love to be in St. Moritz and I am happy with it,” said Shiffrin. “I planned to take an aggressive approach and I did that, some spots maybe too aggressive, but it's the first real run of super-G I’ve had in a while."

The exciting moments for the Stifel U.S. Ski Team continued as the rest of the squad made their way down the course. Keely Cashman ran bib 44 and moved up to the 24th position. 

“It felt really good. I had a hard time with super-G last year so this feels like a good start to the season,” said Cashman. “The snow is really good, a little bumpy and the flat light was the biggest thing separating people so you have to trust yourself and trust where you are going.” 

Lauren Macuga ran bib 49 and snagged herself a super-G point in 30th. 

“I am so excited because it was such a wild run, you couldn't see anything and it was so bumpy,” said Macuga. “I think I finally got my groove back.” 

Stifel U.S. Ski Team athletes Tricia Mangan and Bella Wright raced as well. Mangan landed in 38th place and Wright did not finish. 

The speed women will switch to downhill for Saturday’s race. 

RESULTS
Women's super-G

HOW TO WATCH (Times in ET)

Saturday, Dec. 9
4:30 a.m. - St. Moritz World Cup, women’s downhill, skiandsnowboard.live

Sunday, Dec. 10
4:30 a.m. - St. Moritz World Cup, women’s super-G, skiandsnowboard.live

Stifel U.S. Alpine Ski Team Mikaela Shiffrin notched her 41st career World Cup giant slalom podium Sunday, Dec. 3, in the Tremblant giant slalom with a third place finish. Teammate AJ Hurt scored a ninth place finish, her first top ten and career best World Cup result and to round out the tremendous day for the Stifel U.S. Ski Team, Paula Moltzan landed within the top-20 in 15th. Shiffrin's 41st podium now ties her with U.S. legend Ted Ligety for the most World Cup giant slalom podiums. 

In Tremblant, in front of a huge Canadian crowd, the conditions were challenging for the skiers with heavy snow accumulating and a variable surface underneath. Despite the conditions, Shiffrin came out of the start gate blazing, with the second fastest run on the first run, a mere 0.05 seconds behind the first run leader Petra Vhlova. Hurt ran bib 37 and ripped down the track, crossing the finish in the 17th position; Moltzan skied into 25th. 

On the second run, the snow started to come in making the conditions more of a challenge for all athletes. Moltzan ran first for the U.S. and skied strong and aggressive - she moved up ten spots to 15th place.

“First run was a disappointment but the second run felt a lot better and the course set was better,” said Moltzan, post race. “It's nice to wrap up a good two weeks in North America!” 

Hurt was next for the team and she was fast racing into the top position. Hurt sat in the hot seat after her second run, taking it all in. At the end of the day, she not only landed a career best result but a top ten in a stacked World Cup giant slalom. 

“I have been feeling good training waiting to put together two runs in a race,” said Hurt. “The confidence from Killington helped and I knew I could do it.” 

With the snow and wind picking up and quickly dampening the visibility, the last three races were ready. Out of the gate, Shiffrin skied strong and at the bottom, moved one spot back to a podium placement, crossing the line in third. The Italian giant slalom force Federica Brignone took her second win of the weekend with Swiss skier Lara Gut ended the weekend in second. 

The women will now head back to Europe with a speed series in St. Moritz, Switzerland, Dec. 8-10. 

RESULTS
Giant slalom

Sunday’s Xfinity Birds of Prey super-G was canceled due to heavy winds and an unfortunate outlook in the forecast.  Despite the huge effort of volunteers and coure crew, Friday, Saturday and Sunday’s races have all been canceled. 

The race was initially put on an inspection delay for the jury to further assess the conditions. After a long deliberation by the jury and organizing committee members, it was ultimately called off. But the jury and organizing committee want to thank all the hours that the volunteers and course workers put in to try and make these races possible. 

The next men’s speed races will be in Val Gardena, Italy. 

Mikaela Shiffrin placed third on Saturday’s giant slalom in Tremblant, Canada, marking her 142nd World Cup podium. Stifel U.S. Ski Team athlete Paula Moltzan finished 13th.

The Canadian fans crowded the stands of the Tremblant venue, a new World Cup stop, as the world’s best giant slalom women skiers raced down the terrain-packed hill. Shiffrin ran third, taking the fifth spot after the first run with a clean run. Moltzan ran 14th first run with a few bobbles, and sat in 11th position after run one. 

“It was quite nice to ski,” said Shiffrin after the first run. “It looks straightforward but there is actually a lot of terrain. I feel like we have not skied a hill like this before so it's nice to learn it.”

On the second run, the roar of the Tremblant crowd could be heard from the start. The terrain and a tricky course set tripped up quite a few racers. Moltzan skied well again with a few mistakes that ended up costing her overall time, finishing in 13th place. 

“My skiing was medium today," said Moltzan. "I had a few mistakes in the first and second run. The snow is challenging but the hill is not, so those small mistakes made for a tough day. But I am excited to get back out here tomorrow.” 

Shiffrin was next for the Stifel U.S. Ski Team out of the start and she knifed the course, gaining momentum and speed as she approached the finish line. Shiffrin ultimately ended up in third place, her 142nd World Cup podium. Italian skier Federica Brignone won the race with Slovakia's Petra Vlhova in second place. 

“It was a wonderful day. I started off feeling unsure about the terrain and hill, but on the second run I really tried to push,” said Shiffrin. “You really can't make a mistake, so good stuff from my giant slalom skiing. I will have more confidence tomorrow.”

Stifel U.S. Ski Team members AJ Hurt and Elisabeth Bocok also raced: Hurt did not finish the first run and Bocock did not qualify for the second run, ending up in 47th position after run one. 

The women will race giant slalom in Tremblant again Sunday. 

RESULTS
Giant slalom 

HOW TO WATCH

11:00 a.m. - Tremblant World Cup, women’s giant slalom, run 1, skiandsnowboard.live
2:15 p.m. - Tremblant World Cup, women’s giant slalom, run 2, skiandsnowboard.live

Saturday's Xfinity Birds of Prey downhill was canceled due to heavy snowfall Friday night, strong winds and the forecast. Friday's downhill was also canceled due to weather.

The race was initially put on a delay for the jury to further assess the conditions. After a long deliberation by the jury and organizing committee members, it was ultimately called off. 

The Xfinity Birds of Prey races will resume Sunday for a super-G. 

HOW TO WATCH 

Sunday, Dec. 3 - super-G
12:45 p.m. – LIVE on Outside (free)
4:30 p.m. – super-G (delayed) on NBC
On demand: Outside+ 

The local organizing committee in collaboration with the jury and FIS canceled Friday’s Xfinity Birds of Prey downhill, due to heavy snowfall Thursday night and Friday morning and low visibility. 

The race was pushed back a few hours for volunteers and course workers to move the snow out of the track. The racers were able to inspect the course, but the track was ultimately deemed unsafe for a downhill race. 

The Xfinity Birds of Prey races will resume Saturday with another downhill and Sunday for a super-G. 

HOW TO WATCH 

Saturday, Dec. 2 - downhill
12:45 p.m. – LIVE on Outside (free)
5:00 p.m. – Saturday’s downhill on NBC (delayed)
On demand: Outside+ 

Sunday, Dec. 3 - super-G
12:45 p.m. – LIVE on Outside (free)
4:30 p.m. – super-G (delayed) on NBC
On demand: Outside+