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Moltzan Podiums in Kronplatz

By Courtney Harkins
January, 21 2025
paula
Paula Moltzan celebrates her first career podium in Kronplatz, Italy. (Getty Images)

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

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Liv Moritz headshot image
Liv Moritz
Liv Moritz started skiing at three years-old cultivating her love for ski racing out of Vail, Colorado. Moritz had a tremendous 2022-23 season landing in third place in super-G at the U.S.
Elisabeth Bocock headshot image
Elisabeth Bocock
Elisabeth Bocock began skiing at Snowbird where she cultivated a love for the sport free skiing the mountains with her coaches. For Bocock, Development team coach Foreste Peterson is the most influential person in her career.
Mary Bocock headshot image
Mary Bocock
Mary Bocock hails from Rowmark Ski Academy at Rowland Hall, where she was not only awarded skier of the year after her first and second-year FIS and a part of the state championship team for soccer her freshman and junior year but she was also a part of the Headmasters Committee her f
AJ Hurt headshot image
AJ Hurt
AJ Hurt's passion for skiing and ski racing began at a very early age. Growing up in North Lake Tahoe, Palisades Tahoe was her winter playground. At four years old, she entered the Team Palisades Tahoe and fell in love with the sport.
Katie Hensien headshot image
Katie Hensien
Katie Hensien is a strong up and coming tech skier on the Stifel U.S. Alpine Ski Team.
Nina O’Brien headshot image
Nina O’Brien
Nina O’Brien started skiing out of Palisades Tahoe where she participated on the Mighty Mite program. O’Brien began her racing career on the West Coast with Team Palisades before moving back East to attend Burke Mountain Academy.
Paula Moltzan headshot image
Paula Moltzan
Paula Moltzan is a Minnesota girl hailing from Buck Hill Ski Racing Club and Ski and Snowboard Club Vail. A slalom and giant slalom specialist, Moltzan became the first woman to win a slalom gold at Junior World Championships.