Moltzan Wins National Giant Slalom Title
On Tuesday’s giant slalom U.S. Alpine Championships race, Paula Moltzan skied away with the win.
“This Is my first ever national giant slalom title so it’s fun and I am happy to be here,” said Moltzan. “It is a nice feeling to be done I am ready for the summer and it’s so nice to be here in Sun Valley. I think they did the best they could with the conditions and recent snow here, so it has overall been a good few races.”
The 2023 Toyota U.S. Alpine Championships presented by Stifel giant slalom race was met with clear blue skies, sunshine, and fast skiers that charged down the course. The courses were difficult, with shorter distance between the gates, making for a technical race.
“It was super tight and turny and got bumpy so I think we are all pretty tired, it was a battle the whole way down,” said second place finisher, Tricia Mangan.
After run one the NorAm Overall winner, Mary Bocock, was sitting in first place by just under half a second. Moltzan in second, and Lauren Macuga in third. But, come run two, the top three got shook up. Mangan secured a very fast second run bumping her all the way to second place in the race, and Australian and NCAA racer for the University of Utah, Katie Parker, took third place.
“This is my first giant slalom finish of the year so it is awesome to do it here,” said Mangan.
U.S. nationals has one more day in Sun Valley, it will end on Wednesday with the men’s giant slalom.
RESULTS
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. In 2017 Moltzan joined the University of Vermont’s Alpine Ski Team where she had tremendous success. Moltzan became the fifth UVM female to win the NCAA slalom title and first freshman to do so since 1986.