On Saturday’s women’s giant slalom race in Åre, Sweden Stifel U.S. Ski Team women Paula Moltzan, Nina O’Brien and Elisabeth Bocock all performed very strongly in sixth, 11th and 14th. Plus AJ Hurt landed 19th. 

“I’m super happy with my second run, I left a little time out there but still coming down in the green is a great feeling,” said Moltzan. “It is so awesome for the whole team to be able to push hard on the second run and everyone ended up in the top 20!”

It was another excellent giant slalom race for the U.S. women after a first run that brought a mixed bag of results. All of the women with a few mistakes on the first run which led to some lost time and a few DNFs. Despite the first run not going as planned, the women were able to refocus and send on the second run. 

The sun came out on run two and brought very spring like conditions underfoot with a touch more slush than hard surface. First up for the team was O’Brien who knifed her second run taking full advantage of the early start number. She would end up moving up almost 20 places to end up 11th overall. She was also notably second on the second run - proving that she can ski amongst the best. 

Next it was Bocock who had a stellar day. Bocock, fresh off of her World Juniors bronze medal, pushed hard to move up on the second run too. She would end up 14th. Her first-ever World Cup top 15 and career best result to date. 

“Spring conditions up here in Åre, which can be challenging so I was happy to make it into the second run and take advantage of the cleaner track,” said Bocock. “I’m super happy with the result, this weekend is my final World Cup of the year so I’m just trying to ski aggressively with nothing to lose!”

Hurt also had a solid day but with a few too many mistakes, she would land 19th. Mikaela Shiffrin and Katie Hensien did not finish the first run but are OK.  

It was also a historic day for Stifel U.S. Ski Team coach Karin Harjo who set the first run of giant slalom. Harjo, already a trailblazer as a woman in alpine coaching, became the first woman to set a slalom World Cup course in 2016 and on Saturday she became the first woman to set a giant slalom World Cup course. Notably accomplished on International Women's Day. 

The World Cup weekend is not over yet - on Sunday the women race the final slalom of the regular World Cup season. 

RESULTS
women's giant slalom 

HOW TO WATCH
4:30 a.m. ET - women’s slalom run 1 - skiandsnowboard.live
7:30 a.m. ET - women’s slalom run 2 - skiandsnowboard.live

On the first of three races for the men’s speed crew in Kvitfjell, Norway, veteran speed skiers Bryce Bennett and Ryan Cochran-Siegle led the way in seventh and 10th respectively. 

“Today was difficult,” said Bennett. “I felt like I was in shambles a little bit and yesterday we did some giant slalom training which helped me to narrow my focus for today.”

It began as a gorgeous spring day with a sunrise over the course as the skiers descended upon inspection. There was notably just one training run before the race after the second training run was canceled due to wind and poor snow conditions on the track. This meant the skiers had less time to feel out the track and test out different lines before the race. To find success in the race it would be necessary to take the right amount of risk. 

Bennett was at first thrown off by not having his second training run - as he tested out new skis and equipment in the first training run. He needed to quickly devise a plan alongside his technician for the race day. 

Despite the uncertainty, Bennett has skied this track many times before and knew how he wanted to ski on race day. Bennett skied strong from top to bottom. Although he got low in a few spots - he was able to recover without losing too much time. Bennett would ski comfortably in the top 10 to claim seventh overall. 

“It was decent, just some minor mistakes which have been plaguing me all season. But I know the skiing is there and it's just putting down a clean run,” said Bennett. 

Cochran-Siegle also had a strong approach to his day. He ran earlier than Bennett and did not have as much course information before he went. At the first big turn Cochran-Siegle ended up getting a touch low and losing time into the next section. Much like Bennett he was able to bring it back strong and also end up in 10th. 

“I tried to have a good, smooth approach given the conditions up top,” said Cochran-Siegle. “I didn't make the best turn off that key pitch so I think there's some time to be found there. But overall I was trusting in my movements.” 

Wiley Maple and Sam Morse also had good races in 21st and 24th place. It was a difficult race to make moves up with wind and poor snow conditions coming into play. The move by both Maple and Morse is an impressive feat in itself. 

The winner of the race was Italian force Dominik Paris who now has 19 downhill World Cup wins to his name - the second most for any male ski racer in history. Second place went to Swiss skier Marco Odermatt with third going to Swiss skier Stefan Rogentin. 

Overall it was a positive step forward for the men’s speed team. The men are planning to build on the day’s positive results and bring it full throttle on the last regular season downhill of the season. 

RESULTS
men's downhill

HOW TO WATCH
4:30 a.m. ET - men’s downhill, Kvitfjell, Norway - skiandsnowboard.live

On Monday’s giant slalom in Tarvisio, Italy Stifel U.S. Ski Team athlete Elisabeth Bocock scored a bronze medal at the Junior World Championships. 

Bocock was fresh off her bronze medal from the team parallel the day before and even more fired up to secure another medal in her favorite event, giant slalom. 

“The team parallel was awesome, it is so much fun to compete for something bigger than yourself, and to work to a common goal,” said Bocock.  

After the first run she was in seventh place, a second off the pace but still in great contention to move up. Fellow teammate Liv Mortiz also delivered a strong first run that put her in fourth place, close to the podium. 

On the second run everything was shaking up. U.S. skier Logan Grosdidier was sitting pretty in first for over 23 skiers as she annihilated the field on her second run. Not only did Grosdidier win the second run but she did it in dominance over a half-second lead on the whole field. 

Toward the end of the field, the final skiers were able to catch up, and the podium ended up similar to the first run, with Bocock in bronze. The winner of the race was Italian Giorgia Collomb, and in second was Swiss Stefanie Grob. 

Unfortunately, Moritz did not finish. Grosdidier ended up in seventh. Her sister Tatum Grosdidier landed in 17th, and Kaitlin Keane in 30th. 

RESULTS
women's giant slalom

On the final day of racing in Kvitfjell, Norway for the women’s speed team Lauren Macuga once again led the way for the Stifel U.S. Ski Team group in 12th place. Lindsey Vonn was the next best finisher in 16th with Jackie Wiles rounding out the points in 27th. 

It was a very tricky set for the women - they needed to be on alert the whole way down the course, thinking about each turn ahead. Macuga running with bib seven was able to see the skiers before her go out in tricky sections so she could set herself up for success on her run. Macuga was skiing very strong her whole run. She had to chuck her skis sideways a little toward the end to make the next turn - losing her speed and ending up with a top 15 result. 

“The weather just took a turn and got fantastic, and the snow has been great,” said Macuga. “I am super happy with the weekend walking away with one podium. Couldn't ask for better.” 

The next best finisher was Vonn. Vonn skied the tricky sections of the course flawlessly - in contention to have a very strong result. However just as she got through the sections causing trouble she made a costly error and lost all of her speed. Vonn would have to settle for 16th place. 

Finally it was teammate Jackie Wiles who put down a very solid run to land in 27th place. Bella Wright, Breezy Johnson and Mary Bocock did not finish but they are OK. Tricia Mangan and Keely Cashman landed in 36th and 38th. 

Next the women’s speed team will head to La Thuile, Italy in two weeks for the final speed World cup of the season. 

RESULTS
women's super-G

On Saturday’s men’s Team Combined at the Junior World Alpine Championships the U.S. took home bronze with the team composed of Hunter Salani in downhill and Stanley Buzek in slalom. 

“After Stanley crossed the finish line I knew we had a chance to be on the podium,” said Salani.  “He is a great skier and got the job done, it felt pretty amazing.”

After the downhill portion of the event Salani put his team in good position in 13th place 1.35 seconds off the pace. Buzek, no stranger to doing well at Junior Worlds, knew he had to put down a performance in the slalom and boy did he deliver. Buzek skyrocketed the men to a bronze medal. Bumping the dup up ten spots. 

“Hunter put us in a good spot on the first run,” said Buzek. “I knew this snow would be good for me. I thought we would have a good shot and I’m super happy we made it happen.”

The pair of skiers could be seen jumping for joy when the final skiers crossed the line and it was confirmed that they would take home the first medal for the U.S. in the event. 

The women’s team top performers was Logan Grosdidier in downhill and Kjersti Moritz in slalom. The duo claimed seventh place among the field of international competitors. 

The next event for junior worlds is the Team Parallel where the U.S. won bronze last year. 

RESULTS
men's team combined

On Saturday’s giant slalom in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, Stifel U.S. Ski Team’s River Radamus was the top performer for the U.S. squad in 12th place with a blazing fast second run. Patrick Kenney snagged his career-best World Cup result in 22nd and Bridger Gile claimed his first World Cup points in 24th. 

“Huge day for the boys all around. I'm beyond psyched to see Bridger collect his first World Cup points,” said Radamus. “I know how hard he’s been working for this and how hard it is to break through. I think this gives the whole team confidence seeing the hard work is paying off.”

Gile and Kenney both moved up from behind to snag a second run. It was the first second run of Gile’s career in a World Cup giant slalom. 

“Getting two runs feels like ski racing is great and I’m glad I got to ski race today,” said Gile. “I’ve watched River do second runs for a while now and it feels really good to be able to join him and PK in the second run. But this is just the beginning.”

On the second run, all of the men were firing to move up in the rankings. Kenney and Gile both jumped a few spots to ultimately land in 22nd and 24th overall - both personal bests. Then Radamus came down, smoking the tight giant slalom field with the second fastest second run to move up eight spots and land in 12th place overall. 

“I made a costly mistake on first run and felt lucky to get a second,” said Radamus.  “I gave everything I had to take advantage of the opportunity on the run two and was able to salvage a solid result, but I hope to leave behind the mistakes for the last few races of the season.”

Henrik Kristoffersen of Norway was first with his former teammate Lucas Pinheiro Braathen of Brazil in second. Marco Odermatt was third.

Pleased with their performance in the giant slalom, the men will now send those positive vibes and energy to the slalom crew who will hit the track on Sunday. 

RESULTS
Men's giant slalom

HOW TO WATCH 
3:30 a.m. ET - men’s slalom run 1, Kranjska Gora, SLO - skiandsnowboard.live
6:30 a.m. ET - men’s slalom run 2, Kranjska Gora, SLO - skiandsnowboard.live 

On Saturday’s downhill in Kvitfjell, Norway, Stifel U.S. Ski Team athlete Lauren Macuga shined bright as she claimed her first ever World Cup downhill podium in second place. Teammate Breezy Johnson also skied well to a top 10 finish. 

“I feel like it wasn't me yesterday and today I went out there charging and my tuck over some terrain, and got over the outside ski and just sent it,” said Macuga. 

It was not quite as sunny as Friday, but the vibes in Kvitfjell were top notch as the best women speed skiers in the world got ready to send it down the downhill track for the second time this weekend. The snow locked up from the colder temperatures the night before, leading to a very strong surface for the race. 

Macuga ran wearing bib three and after skiing the track three times through training and Friday's race, she knew exactly what she needed to do to find the coveted green light once again. At each split she was cooking, making up a lot of time compared to the two previous skiers to punch her fist through the line into first place. 

“I think it was a solid run for me. No matter what happens today, I'm really happy with my skiing,” said Macuga. “I was also trying to be clean and trying to be smart over the jump because that is such a crucial part of this course.”

Next up for the team was Johnson. Fresh off her first World Cup podium in three years on Friday, Johnson was on the hunt for more success. A few bobbles in some key areas led Johnson to fall to 10th place overall - but still a solid result for the downhill skier. 

“I did my best this weekend, and I'm happy with that,” said Johnson. “It's really cool being part of a team that's doing this well. It's really cool being able to know that all of us can put it in there on any day of the week.”

The next threat to Macuga’s time was Germany’s Emma Aicher who landed her first podium ever the day before. Aicher skied fast, fierce and cleanly to bump Macuga by just 0.03 seconds to take the lead and eventually her first win of her career. Third place went to the previous day’s winner, Austrian Cornelia Huetter. 

Stifel U.S. Ski Team athletes Jackie Wiles, Lindsey Vonn and independent skier Haley Cutler also had strong days in 14th, 16th and 30th, respecitvely. Notably it was Cutler's first time in the points. Bella Wright did not finish but is OK. Tricia Mangan landed in 42nd place.

Now the women will prepare for the super-G and final race of the weekend on Sunday. 

RESULTS
Women's downhill

HOW TO WATCH
4:30 a.m. ET - women’s super-G, Kvitfjell, NOR - skiandsnowboard.live

On Friday’s make-up downhill in Kvitfjell, Norway, Stifel U.S. Ski Team athlete Breezy Johnson led the charge for the U.S. women with her first World Cup podium of the season in third place. Jackie Wiles, Lindsey Vonn and Lauren Macuga rounded out the top 15 in eighth, 12th and 15th place, respectively. 

“It definitely treated me kinder than I deserved. I risked a lot,” said Johnson. 

The skies finally turned blue with a sun overhead - a welcome sight for the crew who had been skiing under clouds in the fog the past week. The track firmed up overnight, making for higher speeds, which meant the women speed skiers needed to lock in and focus. 

First up for the U.S. team was Wiles who was pushing hard running bib two. She flew through the finish over a second ahead of her competitor, hopeful that this time would be a solid result. Wiles stayed up on the top of the board for a while until some fast Italians and Austrians knocked her down to what would end up being a great top 10 result. 

“I'm really excited to have a solid result,” said Wiles. “It's been kind of an off and on season with results, so it feels good to have a solid result here at a venue that I haven't done a downhill yet.”

Johnson was next for the team, fresh off her recent World Championships gold medals. She had the speed, confidence and drive to push through some mistakes while still gaining speed. She came down in podium position and a look of disbelief crossed her face as she saw her rank. 

“I definitely made some mistakes, so I'm kind of surprised by the results,” said Johnson. “I feel good, all things considered. You have to push and try things out. You must risk things and considering all that I risked and all that I paid for, I feel like I did pretty good.” 

The surprise of the day was Germany’s Emma Aicher who came blazing down into second place. Aicher, who is consistently a top 10 skier in tech and speed found her groove Friday just 0.15 behind the winning time of Austrian Cornelia Huetter. 

Vonn and Macuga also showed strong results in 13th and 15th. Bella Wright found herself in the points in 23rd place. Overall the women feel confident heading into the next two days of racing for one downhill and one super-G. 

RESULTS 
Women's downhill

HOW TO WATCH 
4:30 a.m. ET, women’s downhill, Kvitfjell, Norway - skiandsnowboard.live 
4:30 a.m. ET women’s super-G, Kvitfjell, Norway - skiandsnowboard.live