Shiffrin Third, Hurt Ninth, Moltzan 15th in Tremblant
Stifel U.S. Alpine Ski Team Mikaela Shiffrin notched her 41st career World Cup giant slalom podium Sunday, Dec. 3, in the Tremblant giant slalom with a third place finish. Teammate AJ Hurt scored a ninth place finish, her first top ten and career best World Cup result and to round out the tremendous day for the Stifel U.S. Ski Team, Paula Moltzan landed within the top-20 in 15th. Shiffrin's 41st podium now ties her with U.S. legend Ted Ligety for the most World Cup giant slalom podiums.
In Tremblant, in front of a huge Canadian crowd, the conditions were challenging for the skiers with heavy snow accumulating and a variable surface underneath. Despite the conditions, Shiffrin came out of the start gate blazing, with the second fastest run on the first run, a mere 0.05 seconds behind the first run leader Petra Vhlova. Hurt ran bib 37 and ripped down the track, crossing the finish in the 17th position; Moltzan skied into 25th.
On the second run, the snow started to come in making the conditions more of a challenge for all athletes. Moltzan ran first for the U.S. and skied strong and aggressive - she moved up ten spots to 15th place.
“First run was a disappointment but the second run felt a lot better and the course set was better,” said Moltzan, post race. “It's nice to wrap up a good two weeks in North America!”
Hurt was next for the team and she was fast racing into the top position. Hurt sat in the hot seat after her second run, taking it all in. At the end of the day, she not only landed a career best result but a top ten in a stacked World Cup giant slalom.
“I have been feeling good training waiting to put together two runs in a race,” said Hurt. “The confidence from Killington helped and I knew I could do it.”
With the snow and wind picking up and quickly dampening the visibility, the last three races were ready. Out of the gate, Shiffrin skied strong and at the bottom, moved one spot back to a podium placement, crossing the line in third. The Italian giant slalom force Federica Brignone took her second win of the weekend with Swiss skier Lara Gut ended the weekend in second.
The women will now head back to Europe with a speed series in St. Moritz, Switzerland, Dec. 8-10.
RESULTS
Giant slalom
