Moltzan, O’Brien Top 10 in Sestriere Giant Slalom

On Friday’s first giant slalom of two, Stifel U.S. Ski Team members Paula Moltzan and Nina O’Brien landed sixth and eighth. AJ Hurt was not far behind in 12th. 

“I'm actually really happy with today's race,” said Moltzan. “The skiing is there and without the mistakes it'll be even better.”

It was a beautiful sunny day at the Italian resort for what would be the make-up giant slalom race from the previously canceled Mont Tremblant giant slalom series. There was an air of calmness around as the athletes returned to the regular World Cup schedule following a very busy World Championships event just one week earlier. The U.S. team was eager to get back to racing with quite a full start list. 

On the first run Moltzan started with bib one - her first time in the top seven seed and first time starting bib one. She took full advantage of the clean course and came out in third place on the first run. O’Brien and Hurt also skied strongly to place eighth and 11th on run one. 

“It is so cool to run with bin one, why can't I run bib one all the time? The snow is so awesome,” said Moltzan. 

It was notably the first giant slalom race back for Mikaela Shiffrin who had been sidelined the past few months due to a brutal injury she sustained in Killington. Shiffrin skied with courage knowing that each race back is a stepping stone to the next great result of her storied career. 

“The last days of training were pretty good but in the end, racing is different than training so it’s really positive to have this race,” said Shiffrin. “ It's kind of like the next step in the training.” “It's really nice to have Mikaela back on the start list with us. I know it wasn't her best day, but we're all super happy to have her with this again,” said O’Brien. 

On the second run, all of the women put it on the line. First up was youngster Elisabeth Bocock. Her second time getting a second run in the World Cup and she was pushing hard. Unfortunately she leaned in and did not finish the second run. Katie Hensien had a strong second run and was able to move up to 21st place. Then came Hurt and O’Brien. Both skiers pushed to the finish line. They would end up in eighth and 12th. 

“I feel really solid,” said O’Brien.  “There were some mistakes here and there on both runs, but overall I feel like I skied two pretty strong runs and it’s nice to be back in the top 10.” 

Finally it was time for Moltzan. At every interval in the green and only building her lead. Moltzan was on fire up until the final flats section where she made a large mistake losing all speed. She would end up in sixth place. Despite mistakes here and there the women’s team continues to show their dominance with five in the top 30 and six qualifying to the second run. 

“I'm so bummed for Elizabeth, because I know she's ripping, but I think it just shows what we're capable of,” said O’Brien. 

The winner of the race of Italian force Federica Brignone, in second was New Zealand’s Alice Robinson and in third Norwegian Thea Louise Stjernesund. 

The women feel fired up and will take this race as a stepping stone to the giant slalom race on Saturday. 

RESULTS 
women's giant slalom 

HOW TO WATCH 
5:00 a.m. - women’s giant slalom, run one - skiandsnowboard.live
8:00 a.m. - women’s giant slalom, run two - skiandsnowboard.live