On Wednesday’s classic night slalom event in Schladming, Austria, Stifel U.S. Ski Team's Ben Ritchie knifed his way to another top 10 finish in ninth place. It was his second-ever top 10 result and also the first time an American has landed in the top 10 in the slalom since Ted Ligety in 2012. 

“Tonight was really fun! Schladming is one of the coolest races of the year,” said Ritchie. “The surface was great and I could not ask for better.” 

By 5 p.m. the Austrians filled the stands to capacity, ready to create an electric atmosphere on Wednesday night in Schladming. The first run course set was straight but tough - many racers said the track felt rough on their skis. Despite the challenge, Ritchie fought his way down to land in 18th place. No other U.S. athletes were able to make jumps. 

“First run was solid, nothing special. The second run I skied the top three quarters very well. I felt super comfortable and towards the end I started to make some small mistakes here and there,” said Ritchie. “It’s only my third top 15 and second top 10 result ever in my career so I am super happy with tonight.” 

As the evening turned to night and the crowds became more rowdy, the second run course set was ready to inspect. And the set was difficult. There was no consistent rhythm and it would be hard for athletes to make it down the course cleanly. But Ritchie ran towards the top half of the group and dominated - staying in the green at each split by a large half-second margin. At the last split, his legs tired and he lost some time, but still managed to find the green light. 

Ritchie sat comfortably in the leaderboard chair for a minute, ultimately moving up nine spots to claim ninth place for his second-best slalom result in his career.

“It has been a good January,” said Ritchie. “I am now just working on consistency. I can ski fast but you see spots of different runs here and there where I am putting together great skiing. It is only a matter of time until I put it all together in one day.” 

It’s been a strong World Cup season for Ritchie, scoring in every single race aside from one that he did not finish. Ritchie claimed multiple personal best results, proving that he can hold his own with the world’s best. He is fired up more than ever heading into the World Championships and further solidifying a spot in the World Cup Finals in Sun Valley, Idaho in March. 

The winner of the race was Norwegian Timon Haugan, in second and third were Austrians Manuel Feller and Fabio Gstrein. Stifel U.S. Ski Team members Jett Seymour and River Radamus did not qualify for a second run. 

The next stop for the slalom men will be the World Championships in Saalbach, Austria with the men’s slalom scheduled for Feb. 16. 

RESULTS
Men's slalom

On Tuesday night’s giant slalom race in Schladming, Austria, Stifel U.S. Ski Team athlete River Radamus landed in 12th place. Radamus powered through a difficult weather day that involved pouring rain, slushy snow and an inconsistent surface. 

“It was dumping rain during the warm up probably the hardest rain I’ve ever skied in we knew it was going to be a tight race so there was no time to warm up or get into you had to go full on from the start,” said Radamus.

Despite the pouring rain the Austrian fans came in by the thousand enduring the pouring rain. The rain was not too strong on the first run inspection but the surface was soft and slushy underfoot. The set was pretty turny and turned into a sprint as they moved the start down lower from the poor conditions. On the first run Radamus skied first for the Stifel U.S. Ski Team. Radamus did not find the best line but kept his time close in 17th place. 

Fellow U.S. members Patrick Kenney, Isaiah Nelson, Bridger Gile and Cooper Puckett also raced but did not make a second run. Puckett notably had a huge mistake and flew into the air - video can be seen here. 

The second run course set was much faster than the first, allowing racers to make some more significant jumps in their places. Radamus pushed hard but was not perfect; he ended up (at first) moving back a few spots. However the course deteriorated giving Radamus and others moves up the scoreboard.

Ultimately Radamus ended up 12th - a solid position heading into World Championships next week. Not only did Radamus end up 12th but he and Brazil’s Lucas Pinheiro Braathen tied both first run and second run, down to the hundredth. A scenario you do not see often in the sport. 

“First run I felt good just a bit too safe and it cost me a lot. Second run I pinned it as hard as I could and I thought I skied as lot better," said Radamus. "It’s been a difficult January for me. I have not been skiing the way I want to so second run was a step in the right direction but it was a really tight race.”

The winner of the day was Norwegian Alexander Steen Olsen, in second was fellow Viking Henrik Kristoffersen and in third was Swiss Marco Odermatt. 

Next the men will race giant slalom in Saalbach on Feb. 14.

RESULTS
men's giant slalom 

HOW TO WATCH 
Run 1 - 11:45 a.m. ET - men’s slalom, Schladming, AUT - peacock 
Run 2 - 2:45 p.m. ET - men’s slalom, Schladming, AUT - peacock 

On the final day of racing in Kitzbühel, Austria Stifel U.S. Ski Team athlete Ben Ritchie was the lone U.S. finisher in 21st place. 

“I am not that happy with today. It was raining and in between soft and salt conditions,” said Ritchie. “I don’t know if I was 100% prepared, but I am happy to walk away with some points and it helps the journey to Sun Valley in March.” 

It was a day riddled with rain which made for a challenging day of slalom racing—quite the opposite from the downhill day just 24 hours earlier. The snow was hard with a touch of soft snow from the rain on top giving the track some bite. Despite the rain the Austrian fans came out in full force lining each side of the fencing - all awaiting the fate of their favorite slalom skiers. 

Ritchie, now in the top 30 for slalom, started the day for the U.S. men and skied solidly. He would make it into the top 30 for a second run with a nice second-run start position. Teammate Jett Seymour did not qualify for a second run and Luke Winters did not finish. 

On the second run Ritchie was pushing hard to find the right line on the variable conditions and just fell short of the leaderboard chair. In the end Ritchie snagged a few more slalom points that put him in better position for the next races. The men’s slalom team will now head straight to Schladming, Austria for the classic night slalom on Wednesday. 

“I need to figure some things out for Wednesday but I like that hill and I am looking forward to it,” said Ritchie. 

After a dramatic second run that brought down the final top two skiers the winner of the day was Frenchman Clement Noel, second place was Italian Alex Vinatzer with Brazil’s Lucas Pinheiro Braathen in third place. 

RESULTS
men's slalom

The women’s super-G in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, was a race to remember, especially for Stifel U.S. Ski Team athlete Keely Cashman, who secured her career-best World Cup result in sixth. With seven American women on the start list—Lauren Macuga, Keely Cashman, Tricia Mangan, Lindsey Vonn, Jackie Wiles, Haley Cutler and Breezy Johnson—it was a strong showing despite challenging weather conditions.

The day started with a mix of rain and snow, making the Garmisch course even more demanding. Snow blanketed the higher sections of the track, while rain drenched the finish area. Despite the weather, the race got underway and the U.S. women gave it their all for the second race on the Garmisch track. 

Lauren Macuga, wearing bib nine, was the first American to take on the course, laying down a steady run. Following her was California native Cashman, who faced not just the challenging terrain but also some mental barriers from a crash a couple of years ago on the same course, which resulted in a season-ending injury. Since then, the track has been a mental hurdle for the speed athlete. 

"Yesterday was a really hard day. Just being in Garmisch and seeing a lot of crashes... it was hard," said Cashman. "This is also where I crashed four year ago, and I know that's a long time to get over it, but this is not something you can get over quickly. So yesterday was tough but today I started with a new mindset.

And to have my personal best in a place like Garmisch... that's really good!" 

But today was different. Now, with a solid result under her belt, Cashman is ready to keep this momentum going. 

"Confidence is huge and every race," she added. "I've been trying to chip away at the points and move up in the start list and so to do this today, it's huge for my confidence going into World Champs." 

With her parents waving the American flag in the finish area, Cashman attacked the course with confidence and composure. She carried speed through the top section, precisely hitting every line and staying in the green, or close to, on the timing splits. Building momentum with each gate, Cashman crossed the finish line in sixth place—a top 10 on the World Cup and a career-best result. 

As she crossed the line, Cashman threw her hands in the air. Her teammates cheered her on in the finish area and her parents were just feet away in the crowd. The run wasn’t just a personal victory but a powerful statement about perseverance and overcoming mental barriers.

Next was Vonn. Vonn, who has won on this track five times in the downhill, was ready for the super-G. So far this season, Vonn has put together strong races, considering her taking years away from the sport. She was back in the top 15, securing 13th place. Teammate Macuga was in 12th, stringing together another strong race and continuing to set the pace for her strong 2024-25 World Cup season. Breezy Johnson also punched it into the points, taking 20th place.

The day was ultimately won by Lara Gut-Behrami of Switzerland, with Kajsa Lie of Norway in second and Federica Brignone in third. Outside of the top 30, Jackie Wiles finished 32nd, Tricia Mangan 34th and Haley Cutler 38th. 

Now, the team will rest and reset before the World Championships in Saalbach, Austria. 

The Stifel U.S. Ski Team speed men posted three in the top 30 on the infamous downhill day. The team was led by Ryan Cochran-Siegle in 19th, Jared Goldberg in 25th and Bryce Bennett in 29th. 

“Not what I was looking for today. There was an unfortunate mistake, and it's tough; I tried everything I could to reset and refocus, but once you blow the top, you are skiing unfocused,” said Bennett. “I really felt like I figured out some stuff with equipment but it's all good we are skiing well. It's just building momentum to finish off strong and head to World Champs in a good place.”  

The sold-out downhill day brought out 40-thousand loud Austrian fans for what ended up being a picture-perfect downhill day with the sun shining and warm spring-like conditions. The day began with red bull skydivers flying overhead into the packed finish. Then there were cameos by famous Europeans including the famous Austrian Arnold Schwarzenegger, a consistent viewer of the Hahnenkamm. Finally it is race time. 

The race had its viewers on the edge of their seats. But ultimately it was a day for our friends up North (Canada). Cameron Alexander first threw down an incredible run going into second but it was ultimately his teammate James Crawford who absolutely annihilated the course claiming the win and earning the green light. In second place it was Swiss skier Alexis Monney. 

Our U.S. men did not have the day they were hoping with strong skiing but a few too many mistakes to make big moves. Bryce Bennett was locked in but had a major mistake that cost him. Bennett did his best to make up time - shown in his splits after the mistake - but ultimately ended up just inside the top 30. Cochran-Siegle skied solidly but was not able to find that Kitzbühel magic. Finally Jared Goldberg landed in 25th. 

“I got a bit low at the top which was not the way I wanted to start my run - I was trying to fight all the way down and find good energy,” said Cochran-Siegle. 

GettyImages-2195079835Despite not posting the results they wanted Saturday the men are still feeling confident heading into Garmisch and then World Championships early February. 

RESULTS
men's downhill

On the first day of racing in Garmisch, Germany, the Stifel U.S. Ski Team, women’s alpine speed team, had quite a day, led by Breezy Johnson in fourth place, just .06 seconds off the podium. Johnson was joined by Lauren Macuga and Jackie Wiles in the top 11, with Macuga in sixth and Wiles in 11th. 

Garmisch, known for its low altitude, steep, dark, and icy course, welcomed back the fastest women in the world. With American fans and flags taking over the finish area, the American spirit was present for the 49 athletes on the start list. 

Off the start, Wiles ran bib one. Down the course, she put together a strong run and had her chance to sit in the leader's chair. Then came the Italians, led by Sofia Goggia and Federica Brignone. Macuga, Johnson, Allison Mollin (A-Mo), Keely Cashman, Lindsey Vonn, Bella Wright and Tricia Mangan were up next for the U.S. 

Down the course, it was anyone’s game. When it was Johnson’s turn, all eyes were on her. “This is one of my favorite courses,” said Johnson before the race. She’s been racing for over 10 years at the venue and today was another race to add to her resume. 

Johnson was putting together a strong race and was in the green most of the way down the course. The crowd was getting wild; her teammates held their breath as she crossed the line - .25 off from the lead, securing a top-five and fourth, her best result of the season. 

"I feel good! I had a plan and I executed it well. I was able to execute the main things and next time, the small things will come. Honestly, to be that close to the leaders and the podium is great and i'm excited for that. My goals for tomorrow is to stay excited and get a really good start!" 

Next was Macuga. Coming off her career-first win in St. Anton just a weekend ago, Macuga has become a crowd favorite. Only .38 seconds off from first, it was another solid day for the Park City, Utah native. Dawning her red, white and blue outfit in the finish, “Cougs” was all smiles, knowing she just secured another career top-10 and is going into her premier event tomorrow, the super-G. 

To round out the top 11 was Jackie Wiles. Wiles, whose best result of the season this year was outside the top 30, made a statement today in Garmisch. Running bib one is not easy - you’re setting the tone for the day for all the other athletes. Yet, she strung together a run she was proud of and ended the day in 11th place, her top result of the season. 

Vonn, Mangan and Wright did not finish their runs but are okay and focused on getting back out there. The ultimate winners of the day were given to the Italians, with Brignone and Goggia going head-to-head for first and second place. With only. 01 seconds between the two (the smallest margin possible in the sport), Brignone came out on top, with Goggia in second and Switzerland’s Corinne Suter in third. U.S. athletes, including Mollin, were 33rd, just out of the points, Cutler 35th, and Cashman 39th. 

The women are back at it tomorrow, with the super-G to wrap up a week in Garmisch. Watch LIVE and on-demand on skiandsnowboard.live at 5:00 a.m. ET. 

RESULTS
Women

On Friday’s super-G in Kitzbühel, Austria, Stifel U.S. Ski Team athlete Bryce Bennett led the way in 19th place. It was his best super-G result at this venue. Jared Goldberg was 22nd and Wiley Maple rounded out the points for the U.S. in 29th. 

“I have been skiing good super-G and it was alright, but it was more about trying to figure out the edges,” said Bennett. “It was almost like another training run for me. I’ve been struggling with ice and we tried a new solution today. We are really close and I feel confident to be dialed in for tomorrow.”

After rain overnight in the valley, the surface firmed up nicely for the top of the race. However the sun came in and out throughout the race day, making for a crash-ridden day. The first bib did not finish, which meant Ryan Cochran-Siegle, running bib 2, was the first man to make it down the course. Cochran-Siegle skied a bit conservatively, coupled with a costly mistake which left him out of the top 30. 

With multiple crashes and helicopter evacuations causing course holds throughout the day, it was a long race. The French team was particularly victimized, with former World Cup overall champion Alexis Pinturault suffering a fracture, bone bruise and knee injury. Almost all of the Stifel U.S. Ski Team men were stuck in the start gate for a while while the course was fixed. 

“I felt like I pushed through a lot of boundaries mentally with Pinturault being helicoptered away right before I went,” said Goldberg. “I watched a lot of guys go before me lose skis so I knew from inspection that it was going to be pretty gnarly and I was hoping that I would be able to step on the ski and just plow through that stuff.” 

Goldberg's strong performance in 22nd place will give him confidence into Saturday's downhill, a race where he had his best downhill result two years prior.

But the day belonged to Bennett, who stole the show for the U.S., popping in one of his best super-G results and the best super-G finish at Kitzbühel.

The winner of the race was none other than Swiss skier Marco Odermatt for his first win at the venue. In second was Austrian Raphael Haaser and Swiss skier Stefan Rogentin was third. Cochran-Siegle, River Radamus and Kyle Negomir also raced and landed in 32nd, 34th and 39th. Sam Morse did not finish but is OK.

It was clear however that the true Hahnenkamm day is on Saturday for the downhill. The downhill has already sold out of tickets and will surely bring in the lively and electric atmosphere that makes the race iconic. 

“I’ve been enjoying the classic World Cup downhill schedule so you can put all of your eggs in one basket and focus," said Bennett. "Connecting all the sections here top to bottom and carrying speed onto the road is so important. The easy things are key here.”

The race will be live and on-demand on Peacock, and on tape delay on NBC.

RESULTS
Men's super-G

HOW TO WATCH

Saturday, Jan. 25
5:30 a.m. ET - men’s downhill, Kitzbühel, AUT - LIVE on Peacock 
12:30 p.m. ET - men’s downhill, Kitzbühel, AUT - TAPE DELAY on NBC

Paula Moltzan skied to her first career giant slalom podium in Kronplatz, Italy, taking third place. The Stifel U.S. Ski Team women followed her up with stellar results: Nina O’Brien in 10th place, AJ Hurt in 13th and Katie Hensien 21st.

"I am not sure how it's possible but I told myself second run that I wanted to ski strong and I gave it my all," said Moltzan. "I made some mistakes but recovered well and I am so happy." 

It was a bright and sunny day in the Dolomites, with just one day of giant slalom for the women. Moltzan punched it into 10th place in a solid first run amongst a packed field of talent, but she knew she still had a chance for a top result. She then threw down a blazing second run to turn in the second fastest second run of the day to sit in podium position.

Though Moltzan had a podium-potential run, Federica Brignone of Italy and Sara Hector of Sweden sat in first and second after first run—an expected outcome by the two giant slalom powerhouses. But New Zealand’s Alice Robinson, who was sitting in fifth place after first run, delivered an outstanding second run to move from fifth place to first by more than a half second. With bated breath, the crowd watched both Hector and Brignone, running second to last and last, DNF in front of the crowd—propelling Robinson to first, Lara Gut-Behrami of Switzerland to second and Moltzan to third.

Making the podium even sweeter, Moltzan’s family was in the crowd in Kronplatz, waving flags and cheering while wearing USA-branded hockey jerseys.

"My family is here and so it is so special. I think it is a great place to build off for World Championships," said Moltzan. "I think sitting in 10th after first run it is a tough place to move up from so when I had the green light at the end I am very proud of the skiing I did today." 

This achievement adds to Moltzan’s previous World Cup podiums in both parallel and slalom. Her best GS finishes prior were two fifth places at the Stifel Killington Cup and in Semmering, Austria earlier this season. With this result, she also moves into the top seven in the GS rankings, positioning herself as a strong medal contender for the upcoming World Championships in Saalbach, Austria.

The Stifel U.S. Ski Team was proud of another strong overall showing: It was O’Brien’s third top 10 this season; Hurt continued to show her power with another top 15; and Hensien has been fast and consistent throughout her comeback season, scoring points in every GS she’s started this season.

"I am happy with another top 10 and another solid giant slalom result. I was totally shocked when I came into the green second run because I had some huge mistakes so I am happy and I think it is an amazing day for our team," said O'Brien. 

Elisabeth Bocock, Mary Bocock and Liv Moritz did not make a second run. Mary Bocock was skiing fast and did not finish. It was 20-year-old Moritz’s first World Cup start of her young career.

"I was probably the most nervous I've ever been," said Moritz. "My legs were a bit numb in the start but it was fun and an awesome experience." 

The women’s World Cup season continues this weekend with downhill and super-G events in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. The tech team will race again in Courchevel next Thursday before the World Champs begin.

RESULTS
Women’s giant slalom

On Sunday’s slalom in Wengen, Switzerland Stifel U.S. Ski Team athlete Ben Ritchie posted another strong finish in 18th. 

“I was really happy with my first run, thought I skied very solid and fast from my bib,” said Ritchie

Ritchie has scored slalom points this season in almost all of the World Cups building on his slalom career. He started the season with bib 46 and now has found himself currently sitting 19th in the slalom World Cup rankings. A big improvement for the slalom specialist.

It was tough conditions in Wengen for the slalom skiers but Ritchie prevailed on first run. He shot up to eighth place from bib 28 - a jump no one else made in the field. By the second run, however, the conditions became more challenging. It was difficult for the top group to keep their groove. Ritchie was in a top ten position - something he had not yet experienced on run one, so nerves ran high. Despite the added pressure, Ritchie was able to make it down solidify and claim 18th place. 

“Second run I was feeling great I just skied the bottom too safely and in a tight race like today that ended up moving me back quite a bit,” said Ricthie. “Overall it’s still a step in the right direction for me. I started the season at bib 46 and now I’m making my way into the top 30.”

Stifel U.S. Ski Team members Jett Seymour, River Radamus and Luke Winters also raced but did not make a second run. The race was a Norwegian sweep with Atle Lie Mcgrath in first, Timon Haugan in second and Henrik Kristoffersen in third. 

The slalom men will race at the famed Kitzbuhel track again in a week. 

RESULTS
men's slalom

On Sunday’s super-G in Cortina, Italy, Stifel U.S. Ski Team athlete Lauren Macuga paved the way for the team with a 13th place finish. Teammates Keely Cashman, Tricia Mangan and Breezy Johnson also landed in the points in 23rd, 24th and 25th. 

“I feel like it was some great skiing,” said Macuga. “There were a few too many mistakes but I am happy I was able to get another shot on this hill. Today the conditions were fantastic. The snow is so amazing and it was such a fair race.” 

The weather was a touch warmer with the sun in and out, making the light more of a challenge for the super-G racers. The Cortina surface was still solid underfoot, which created the possibility for any racer to punch it in there amongst the top women. Coming off her win in St. Anton the week earlier, Macuga held her composure with a new amount of pressure on her shoulders. While there were a few mistakes down the middle of the course, she still managed to carry speed and go into the top 15. 

Lindsey Vonn was next for the women and was on fire right out of the gate. With splits on par with a top-five or podium result, Vonn leaned in and fell. However, she is OK and skied through the finish smiling and waving to the fans. Vonn plans to keep the momentum going into Garmisch next weekend. 

Wearing higher bib numbers, Cashman, Mangan and Johnson all came down flying and punched it into the points. 

“I feel good about today. Every race I have been focused on chipping away at the points and it seems like a really good step forward,” said Cashman. “It has been so fun watching Lauren have so much success we have a great team culture and it's awesome.” 

Johnson notably went from bib 51 to 25th place to earn the Stifel Bibbo Award for her great race - on her 29th birthday no less. 

Now the women will make their way to Garmisch, Germany for the next World Cup speed series before the World Championships early February. The giant slalom women race in Kronplatz, Italy on Tuesday.

RESULTS
Women's super-G