Moltzan Matches Career Best in Semmering, O'Brien Top 15

Paula Moltzan skied to match her career best on Saturday, Dec. 28, in Semmering, Austria, finishing fifth in the giant slalom.

Moltzan, who has been itching for her first World Cup giant slalom podium, finished fourth first run, just 0.56 seconds off of leader Federica Brignone after making a huge save at the last gate to save her from a potential DNF. In the end, she missed the podium by just two hundredths. Italy's Brignone clung to her lead and finished the day in first, followed by Sweden's Sara Hector in second and New Zealand's Alice Robinson in third. 

Moltzan's result is even more impressive, considering the dislocated shoulder contracted after a hard crash in the Killington slalom. The pain has not entirely ceased, but she is pushing forward despite it all. 

"I'm proud to have put down two clean, consistent runs, both times I pushed out of the start," commented Moltzan. "I'm very happy with my result overall and look forward to carrying the momentum into tomorrow on another great surface."

Nina O'Brien also fought her way out of a tenuous position, headed into the final gate of the second run, but held on to some speed and moved up the ranks from the first to second run from 17th to 15th.

AJ Hurt earned her first World Cup points of the season after taking a break from competition to tend to shoulder issues. She finished 27th, a step up from her last performance in Semmering in 2018 when she claimed she didn't even ski past the first split. Hurt's return to the World Cup was a success despite a few frustrating mistakes. She earned her first points of the season and positively impacted the overall team energy. 

"It was really nice for the team to have AJ back," said O'Brien. "We really missed her, and I'm proud of her for getting into the points her first race back; I know she has a lot more in her."

Katie Hensien also ended the day in the points, finishing 28th overall and hanging on to a strong position in the giant slalom standings. Thus far, Hensien ranks 11th in the giant slalom season standings. Moltzan ranks sixth, and O'Brien ninth.

Sisters Elisabeth and Mary Bocock also competed in Saturday's giant slalom in Semmering, both for the first time in their careers. Unfortunately, neither made the second run, but they were excited to get more World Cup start experience. 

Moltzan, O'Brien, Hurt and Hensien will compete in the fourth World Cup slalom of the season on Sunday, Dec. 29.

RESULTS
Women's giant slalom

HOW TO WATCH
4:30 a.m. ET - women's giant slalom, run 1, Semmering, Austria - live/on-demand on Peacock TV
7:30 a.m. ET - women's giant slalom, run 2, Semmering, Austria - live/on-demand on Peacock TV