On a wet, rainy and snowy day in Finland, Stifel U.S. Ski Team athlete and the greatest alpine skier of all-time, Mikaela Shiffrin notched her 98th World Cup win at the Levi World Cup. Teammate Paula Moltzan was not too far off the mark in eighth place.

“It is a great start to the slalom season,” said Shiffrin, “I had two really strong runs so I am happy to fight on the second run in tough conditions!”

In what can only be described as the opposite weather from the frigid temperatures the year prior, the world’s best slalom skiers took to the Levi slope ready to showcase their skills in the first slalom event of the season. 

The tech women skied in top form on the traditionally icy course, with Shiffrin quickly taking a dominant lead on run one. Then, it was Moltzan’s turn – she skied a strong run, putting herself into fifth place on the first run. 

The weather then continued to have a mind of its own, raining one moment to snowing giant chunky snowflakes the next. But this did not seem to phase the world’s best as they prepared for the second run. 

It was a straightforward course set with some slick turns on the pitch that some women were having trouble with. But if you knifed the top pitch you were in for a successful day. Moltzan, running 26th on the second run, nailed the top section but quickly ran into trouble on the pitch. Moltzan, who is also known for her miraculous saves, made it down with a few notable mistakes to land in eighth place for the day. A result she was very pleased with. 

“I am very excited because I have never in my career had a successful race in Levi so to end up in the top 10 for me feels like a very big step forward,” said Moltzan. 

In the final minutes of the race, the competition was heating up after Katharina Liensberger of Austria skied a flawless run and positioning herself at the top of the standings. Shiffrin knew what to do. With reindeer on the line, she skied a clean and fierce run to ultimately win the race, her 98th World Cup and eighth reindeer. 

“I am racing almost every weekend from here on out until the end of the season so it's going to be a big push now and I was a little bit off on my mentality in Sölden so it was really important to start off strong here in slalom.” 

The podium was completed with Shiffrin on the top spot, Liensberger second and Lena Duerr of Germany in third.

“I don’t know what I will name the reindeer yet – I am going to wait and confirm with the team on ideas and see what everyone says,” said Shiffirn when asked what she will name the eighth reindeer to her herd. 

Katie Hensien and Nina O’Brien also raced the first run but did not finish, they are okay and ready for the next races. Independent U.S.  skier Kendahl Roufa also raced her first World Cup start Saturday and while she did not qualify for a second run she was very happy to experience the event. 

“I feel really great, very excited and just happy I got through the finish,” said Roufa. 

Overall, the women’s alpine team is feeling positive with the combination of the spirit of Christmas, the magic of the Levi reindeer and Santa in the finish. The women will now take this momentum and race slalom again the following weekend in Gurgl, Austria. A brand new venue for the women racers. 

On Sunday Nov. 16, the men will take on the Levi track for their first slalom World Cup of the season. 

RESULTS
Women's slalom

HOW TO WATCH 
4:00 a.m. ET - men's slalom, run 1, Levi, Finland - skiandsnowboard.live (live)
7:00 a.m. ET - men's slalom, run 2, Levi, Finland - skiandsnowboard.live (live)

Park City, UT (Nov. 14, 2024) – U.S. Ski & Snowboard is excited to announce that alpine great Lindsey Vonn will rejoin the Stifel U.S. Ski Team.

Vonn’s decision to try and return to ski racing comes after careful consideration following successful knee surgery earlier this year. She has been able to get back to training and test her knee over the past couple of months and will be continuing her progression with the Stifel U.S. Ski Team in Colorado and beyond, representing a new exciting chapter in her already storied career.

“Getting back to skiing without pain has been an incredible journey,” said Vonn. “I am looking forward to being back with the Stifel U.S. Ski Team and to continue to share my knowledge of the sport with these incredible women.”

Vonn’s return comes off the back of a strong season for the women’s Stifel U.S. Ski Team. Her presence will bring an extra layer of experience to the already successful alpine program. 

“Lindsey has made an indelible mark on alpine skiing and our organization throughout her career. We’re delighted to welcome her back,” said President and CEO of U.S. Ski & Snowboard Sophie Goldschmidt. “Her dedication and passion towards alpine skiing is inspiring and we’re excited to have her back on snow and see where she can go from here.”

Vonn recorded her first World Cup victory in 2004 and continued on to win three Olympic medals, 20 World Cup titles (including four overall Crystal Globes), eight World Championship medals, 137 World Cup podiums and 82 World Cup victories. However, she suffered multiple injuries during her career and despite her ability to persevere and come back from those injuries, it eventually was the reason for her retirement after 18 seasons on the World Cup tour. Following a partial knee replacement surgery in April, she feels stronger than ever.

Vonn also continues to work with her personal foundation, the Lindsey Vonn Foundation, which supports underserved girls through scholarships and empowerment programs, and is still a mentor to current Stifel U.S. Ski Team athletes. She hopes she can continue to inspire the next generation of women in sports.

“Lindsey is someone who has really been there for me throughout my time on the World Cup circuit,” said Stifel U.S. Ski Team athlete Bella Wright. “I never got the opportunity to be Lindsey’s teammate in the past, so the opportunity to ski alongside her is extremely exciting! I can’t wait to see what the U.S. women can do this season.” 

###

Assets:
Video assets are available for media here. Photos are available for media here.
Credit: Stifel U.S. Ski Team 

For more information:
Courtney Harkins
Director of Marketing & Communications, U.S. Ski & Snowboard
courtney.harkins@usskiandsnowboard.org 

For Lindsey Vonn Media Inquiries: 
Liz Logan, LLogan@fullpic.com

Press release courtesy of Tony Harrison & Soldier Mountain

Park City, UT & Fairfield, ID (Nov. 13, 2024) — The Audi FIS Ski World Cup Finals at Sun Valley Resort in March isn’t the only event drawing members of U.S. Ski & Snowboard to Idaho this winter. Nearby Soldier Mountain just signed an agreement with the slopestyle teams for the Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team and the Stifel U.S. Freeski Team to host the inaugural annual training camps in December and late March.

The Southern Idaho ski area, best known as the resort actor Bruce Willis used to own, will build a training facility for the slopestyle teams to train on as part of the Soldier Mountain Snow Training Center, which serves competitive athletes throughout the Western U.S. Designed by world-renowned terrain park builder Charles Beckinsale, the site will support the slopestyle teams’ needs for large-scale jumps, which are part of competition but not widely available to train on. Beckinsale will personally construct the training facility on the run Canyon underneath the High Trail Express Lift (Chair 1).

The three-year partnership has allowed Soldier Mountain to enhance its snowmaking system, with the resort recently acquiring new state-of-the-art TechnoAlpin TR10 snow guns. The move doubles Soldier Mountain’s snowmaking capacity and will ensure skiers and riders enjoy full top-to-bottom coverage on the runs North Ridge and Canyon.

“This is a huge win for a small, independent ski resort like Soldier Mountain,” GM David Alden said. “One of the things that makes Soldier Mountain so attractive is that we’re small enough to be nimble and eager to try new things. And U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s financial and philosophical commitment to a small ski area like Soldier Mountain will ensure we offer a sustainable domestic training venue for the world’s best snowsports athletes for many years to come.”

Leadership at U.S. Ski & Snowboard concur.

Teaming up with a small mountain complements U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s affiliation with the Indy Pass, with Soldier Mountain one of seven Idaho Indy Pass partners. And the resort’s proximity to Utah — Soldier Mountain is less than 5 hours by car from U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s headquarters in Park City — eases logistics and is a good fit with the team’s Easy Green environmental initiative by reducing the carbon footprint of its training.

Soldier Mountain has presented us with a unique opportunity to build world-class jumps in the USA at a time of year that will give our Slopestyle teams a huge advantage going into the competition season,” Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team Sport Director Rick Bower said.

Stifel U.S. Freeski Team Sport Director Skogen Sprang agreed, adding the teams are “excited to explore a new location that is so passionate about freeskiing and snowboarding and are looking forward to seeing what kind of magic Soldier Mountain can make up there.”

Alden is super stoked about the impact the new training facility will have on rising stars on the snowboard and freeski scene.

“U.S. Ski & Snowboard is dedicated to creating training opportunities at the grassroots level,” Alden said. “Bringing a training venue of this magnitude to the western region gives up-and-coming snowboarders and freeskiers who are looking to compete at a higher level but can’t afford to travel far to train an unprecedented opportunity to hone their big-air skills. It’s like the major leagues building a new stadium for the minor leagues because they realize they need to nurture the next generation of pros.”

For more information, please contact:

David Alden, 208.541.8738, david@soldiermountain.com

Courtney Harkins, 978.314.1019, courtney.harkins@usskiandsnowboard.org

Tony Harrison, 208.880.9814, tony@COMMposition.biz

###

ABOUT U.S. SKI & SNOWBOARD
U.S. Ski & Snowboard is the Olympic and Paralympic National Governing Body of ski and snowboard sports in the USA, based in Park City, Utah. Started in 1905, the organization now represents nearly 240 elite skiers and snowboarders competing on 10 teams: alpine, cross country, freestyle moguls, freestyle aerials, snowboard, freeski, Nordic combined, ski jumping, Para alpine and Para snowboard. In addition to the elite teams, U.S. Ski & Snowboard also provides leadership and direction for tens of thousands of young skiers and snowboarders across the USA, encouraging and supporting them in achieving excellence. By empowering national teams, clubs, coaches, parents, officials, volunteers and fans, U.S. Ski & Snowboard is committed to the progression of its sports, athlete success and the value of team. Visit usskiandsnowboard.org for more information.

ABOUT SOLDIER MOUNTAIN
Established in 1947, Soldier Mountain is a family friendly mountain resort located near Fairfield, Idaho, at 1043 N. Soldier Creek Rd. in the Soldier Mountains of the Sawtooth National Forest. It is about two hours from Boise, 80 minutes from Sun Valley, and 90 minutes from Twin Falls. The resort offers skiing and snowboarding on 35 named trails and a terrain park on the frontside comprising 1,150 lift-served skiable acres and 2,000 acres of snowcat-accessible backcountry. Soldier Mountain has two chairlifts reaching an altitude of up to 7,177 ft., a magic carpet, and a tubing hill. In the summer it offers five mountain biking trails, a skills park, and a nine-hole disc golf course. Its lodge restaurant serves homemade fare while The Fox Den Pub provides guests with a cozy spot to hang out after a great day on the mountain. Camping spots are available at the end of the resort’s parking lot at Pioneer Campground and along the road beyond, and motel lodging and vacation rentals are available in Fairfield about 10 miles away. As an Indy Pass partner, Soldier Mountain also offers season passholders discounted Indy Passes as an add-on. Visit soldiermountain.com for more details.

Stifel U.S. Freeski Team member Matt Labaugh is on the rise this season. The Rye, NY native ended the 2023-24 season sitting 14th in the world. Labaugh finished last season with three top twelve finishes (out of the five events in the season) and his career-best fifth place finish at Mammoth Mountain for the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix. We chatted with Matt to discuss his passion for halfpipe skiing and what inspires him.

Q: What initially drew you to halfpipe skiing?

Matt Labaugh: I grew up skiing slopestyle on the East Coast before moving to Vail, where everyone skied both slope and halfpipe. I started halfpipe as well, so I could be like everybody else and wanted to prove I could do it too. I really fell in love with the process of working through tricks in the pipe, and here we are years later.

Q: What are your biggest goals around halfpipe skiing? What about beyond skiing?

ML: The Olympics have always been my number one goal. After that, I want to make the X Games, compete under those lights, and find sponsors I really connect with. Outside of skiing, I want to make sure I graduate from college and one day I would really like to own a home.

Q: What is one thing that you’re most proud of in your career so far?

ML: One of my proudest moments was during the FIS Freeski Junior World Championships in Leysin, France, in 2022. I took home second in both halfpipe and slopestyle, which felt huge. I also walked away with a fifth in big air. Since Junior Worlds, I’ve been competing mainly on the World Cup circuit, which is serious competition. Last season, I feel like things really clicked for me, and I am proud of the drive I found to work hard and push myself, even on tough days.

Q: Are there any moments that you’ve experienced in your career that didn’t seem real?

ML: I was on the alternate list for the 2022 Beijing Olympics and that felt pretty crazy. I never thought that would happen. Also every single time a brand sends me skis...that never gets old.

Q: Who were the athletes that you looked up to when you were younger, or who are they now?

When I was younger, I always looked up to Tom Wallisch and Bobby Brown. One year, Smith sent me Bobby Brown’s pro model goggles. I was riding Breckenridge one day, and both of them were there. I was the weird little kid following them. I finally got on the lift with them, and Bobby was like, “Oh, sick goggles,” and it made my whole year. These days, Alex Hall is definitely someone I look up to; he has such a great perspective on skiing and building runs in general. Outside of skiing, I have always admired Tiger Woods and his grit. 

Follow Matt on Instagram here

HOVERAir X1 PRO and PROMAX to capture extreme winter sports performances in stunning 8K and 4K video

PARK CITY, Utah (November 1, 2024) – Today, HOVERAir and U.S. Ski & Snowboard are proud to announce their collaboration for the 2024-25 season as the X1 PRO and PROMAX flying cameras become available for direct to sales. This exciting partnership will provide athletes and fans with unprecedented aerial perspectives of elite snowboarders and freeskiers, thanks to the HOVERAir X1 PRO and PROMAX. The HOVERAir brand is now designated as the official flying camera of U.S. Ski & Snowboard for the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix at Copper Mountain, Colorado, December 18-21, 2024.

The Toyota U.S. Grand Prix at Copper Mountain, part of the longest-running elite-level competition in the United States, serves as a key stop on the FIS Freeski and Snowboard World Cup tour. World-class athletes will compete for podiums in the resort’s 22-foot pro halfpipe. HOVERAir will be an official partner of the event and will have an on-site activation for fans to see and experience their products.

Zero Zero Robotics’ HOVERAir X1 PRO and X1 PROMAX are the ultimate flying cameras for capturing high-adrenaline winter sports. Designed for extreme environments, both models feature hands-free, AI-powered filming, enabling athletes to focus on their performance while recording stunning footage in 8K and 4K resolution. With their rugged design and OmniTerrain capabilities, these cameras can fly effortlessly over snow, water, and steep cliffs, making them ideal for skiers and snowboarders tackling the toughest courses. The cameras also offer advanced tracking and collision detection, ensuring precise shots at speeds of up to 26 mph, even in the most challenging conditions.

“We are beyond excited to partner with U.S. Ski & Snowboard and their incredible athletes at the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix," said MQ Wang, Founder and CEO of Zero Zero Robotics. "Winter sports push the limits of speed, precision, and agility—values we’ve built into the HOVERAir X1 PRO and PROMAX. As the official flying cameras of U.S. Ski & Snowboard, we can't wait to help athletes capture their performances from stunning new perspectives, bringing their moments of brilliance to life in breathtaking detail.”

The HOVERAir X1 PRO and PROMAX flying cameras are now available worldwide at hoverair.com for USD $499 and $699, respectively.

"We’re thrilled to partner with HOVERAir around the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix, and use its innovative solutions to elevate the fan experience and athlete performance,” said U.S. Ski & Snowboard Chief Revenue and Philanthropy Officer Trisha Worthington. “U.S. Ski & Snowboard is committed to staying at the forefront of technology, and this partnership allows us to do just that while showcasing some of the world’s most exciting competitions."

About U.S. Ski & Snowboard
U.S. Ski & Snowboard is the Olympic and Paralympic National Governing Body of ski and snowboard sports in the USA, based in Park City, Utah. Started in 1905, the organization now represents nearly 240 elite skiers and snowboarders competing on 10 teams: alpine, cross country, freestyle moguls, freestyle aerials, snowboard, freeski, nordic combined, ski jumping, Para alpine and Para snowboard. In addition to the elite teams, U.S. Ski & Snowboard also provides leadership and direction for tens of thousands of young skiers and snowboarders across the USA, encouraging and supporting them in achieving excellence. By empowering national teams, clubs, coaches, parents, officials, volunteers and fans, U.S. Ski & Snowboard is committed to the progression of its sports, athlete success and the value of team. For more information, visit www.usskiandsnowboard.org.

U.S. Ski & Snowboard Media Contact
Courtney Harkins, Director of Marketing & Communications, courtney.harkins@usskiandsnowboard.org

About Zero Zero Robotics
Zero Zero Robotics was co-founded in 2014 by Stanford PhDs MQ Wang and Tony Zhang, specializing in embedded AI technology for intelligent devices. Known for its innovative machine vision and high-precision control systems, ZeroZero has team members who are dreamers, engineers, inventors, and builders hailing from top universities and research institutions around the world. Zero Zero Robotics holds more than 140 core patents and has pioneered technologies like fully enclosed portable propeller designs and bi-copter designs, cementing its place as a leader in intelligent device development.

HOVERAir Media Contact
Zero Zero Robotics PR Team
pr@hoverair.com

Zach Williams of Madera, CA, is a newcomer to the Para alpine scene, skiing for the first time just six years ago. Williams is the newest member of the U.S. Para Alpine Ski Team following an impressive 2023-24 season, during which he became the U.S. super-G champion. He found himself on the podium eight additional times last season, cementing himself as a name to remember on the circuit. 

We sat down to ask him about his background, most recent successes, and goals for the coming seasons. 

Q: What initially drew you to skiing?

Zach Williams: I saw an announcement for an adaptive ski event called “Ski-Able” at the Arizona Snowbowl in Flagstaff, AZ.  I was curious to try out a new sport, and now we’re here.  

Q: When you were younger, getting into the sport, what were your goals?

ZW: I skied for the first time in my life at age 39. I was immediately hooked. Surfing has come close throughout my life, but nothing has ever let me move my body with the kind of freedom, speed, and control that skiing does. It wasn’t long before I started asking my adaptive instructors if the Paralympics were possible for me. They told me it would take a lot of work, but it was possible. 

Q: What is one thing that you’re most proud of in your career so far?/what is your biggest accomplishment so far?

ZW: I left a career as a Prosthetist/Orthotist and sold my home in California to train full-time to make the U.S. Para Alpine Ski Team. That dream came true a few month ago when I got the call from coach Ryan Pearl inviting me onto the team. 

Q: What is your ultimate goal?

ZW: To be “the best skier on the mountain.” I want to see how far I can develop my abilities and ski against the best athletes in the world on the World Cup and the Paralympics.  

Q: Are there any moments that you’ve experienced in your career that didn’t seem real?

ZW: Becoming the super-G National Champion last season was a real surprise. GS is my favorite event, and I’m newer to the speed disciplines, but it all came together for me in that race.  

Q: Who were the athletes that you looked up to when you were younger, or who are they now?

ZW: I’m inspired by the other U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team athletes. Seeing them day after day, week after week, working hard at the USANA Center of Excellence Powered by iFit to make gains and prepare for the upcoming season.  Their commitment to “the grind” helps motivate me to keep pushing. I’m also a big fan of Formula 1. I love the mindset of the drivers and teams looking for every little thing they can do to shave tenths and thousandths off a lap time in the pursuit of speed. I’m pulling for Williams Racing to work their way back to their former glory days.

Follow Zach on social media. 

The Viessmann FIS Ski Jumping 2024-25 World Cup season is officially set, with the highly anticipated Lake Placid World Cup returning to the U.S. on Feb. 6-9, 2025. 

Lake Placid, NY will host a World Cup event for the third consecutive year and will include the women’s event in the U.S. for the first time in history. The World Cup will showcase the world's top athletes on Lake Placid’s legendary Olympic jumps.

All three days of jumping will be held on the large hill, an HS128. The women's qualification will begin on Thursday. They will have one round to qualify, and the top 40 athletes will move on to the competition on Friday. 

On Saturday, the men will have their first individual event, starting with qualification, from which the top 50 will move directly into the competition. Afterward, the women will take the stage for their second and final individual event in the same format as a qualification round that leads right into the competition rounds. The day will culminate with the mixed team event, where two male and two women jumpers from each nation will compete against the other nations. 

The men will return to the ski jump for their last individual event on Sunday, the final day of the Lake Placid World Cup. Athletes must requalify, and the top 50 will advance to the competition later that day. 

“We’re delighted to welcome ski jumping back to ‘home turf’ for the Lake Placid World Cup for what promises to be a groundbreaking event,” said Anders Johnson, USA Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined Sports Director. “With both men’s and women’s competitions included this year, we expect an exciting few days of competitions that will inspire fans and future generations of jumpers.”

More on how to tune into our events can be found HERE. 

New York, New York (Oct. 28, 2024) — U.S. Ski & Snowboard hosted its 58th Gold Medal Gala in New York City on Oct. 26, 2024 with athletes, supporters, partners and donors kicking off the 2024-25 season by raising a record-breaking $2.35 million for the U.S Ski & Snowboard Team. The year’s theme was “reflection,” which paid homage to the journey to the top and reflecting on what it took to get there. It was the largest audience in Gala history. 

A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Transcendence Award to Toyota U.S. Para Snowboard Team athlete Brenna Huckaby, a three-time Paralympic gold medalist, five-time world champion and winningest Para snowboarder of all time. Known for her record-resetting achievements and advocacy, Huckaby has transcended her sport. Receiving the award in front of her teammates, donors, supporters and others, Huckaby expressed gratitude for the community that helped her reach these heights. 

"Thank you for seeing me," said Huckaby on stage. "Thank you to everyone in this room who has made so much of this possible and to the teams behind the Team. We don’t do this alone. Thank you for recognizing me as a person beyond the title of an athlete. When I think about what transcendence means to me, I keep coming back to this question of what other choice did I have? I knew I needed to be more than an athlete. Many years later, I’m a wife, I have two daughters, I am a disability inclusion advocate, an occasional model… but what i've learned through all of this is that I’m successful because my definition of success isn’t defined by what medals I’ve won, or what accolades I’ve achieved - my definition of success is the person I’ve become and the impact I can have on this world."

Another memorable moment was an engaging conversation hosted by Olympic moguls gold medalist Jonny Moseley, featuring Olympic champion freeskier Alex Hall. Together, they discussed the exciting future of the sport and the creative, boundary-pushing energy that fuels the next generation of athletes. They also spoke about the partnership between U.S. Ski & Snowboard and X Games and what it means for the future of competition freeskiing and snowboarding. Hall is an 11-time X Games medalist and is the only skier in history to win an X Games medal in each discipline. 

Throughout the evening, the Gala raised $2.35 million through table purchases, a silent auction, and a lively live auction and paddle raise hosted by auctioneer Harry Santa-Olalla. U.S. Ski & Snowboard is a nonprofit that receives no government funding and donations like this directly support its 240 athletes across 10 sports. 

“We are endlessly grateful to this community of supporters who make it possible for our athletes to transcend boundaries,” said Sophie Goldschmidt, President and CEO of U.S. Ski & Snowboard. “Seeing the success and dedication of these extraordinary athletes reminds us why we do what we do. Together, we’re ensuring they can continue reaching new heights, and events like this remind us that we're all on the same team.”

Amongst the sun, a loud Austrian fanbase and long-awaited comebacks from the men’s tour, Stifel U.S. Alpine Ski Team athletes River Radamus landed in 11th place and Tommy Ford 21st on day two of the first FIS World Cup of the season. 

It was a picture-perfect day in Sölden for the men’s giant slalom on Sunday in the heart of Austrian ski racing fandom. The race started out with a major shock. The reigning giant slalom, super-G and overall FIS Crystal Globe winner, Swiss skier Marco Odermatt, fell with bib one on the first run, which opened the door for any racer to grab the first win of the season. 

Radamus skied strong with a minor mistake to land in the top 10 first run, and teammate Tommy Ford was not far off the mark in the top 20. But the main focus was on bib 34, the return of Austrian great-turned-Netherlands athlete Marcel Hirscher returning to the sport after 2,051 days. He made it into the top 30. The other significant return was that of Norwegian-turned-Brazil skier Lucas Braathen, who landed in the top 20 and was poised for a clean run two after his first run. 

“I think it's really good for the sport that they are back. Braathen hasn't missed a step and will prove to be a challenger all season long. It’s only good for the sport,” said Radamus.  

On the second run, Ford skied clean to finish his day in 21st place. Radamus, holding back a smidge, found himself in 11th at the end of the day.

“I am a bit mixed today; the conditions are difficult at this time of year. I am still figuring out how to ski this snow fast,” said Radamus. “I felt good about the execution overall, but in the second run, I tried to push and had a few mistakes. However, I do feel really good about my skiing right now, and I know it will connect.”

The excitement continued for Brazil’s Braathen, who knifed his second run to land just off the podium in fourth. But it was arguably the best day for Norway, with three athletes sweeping the podium. The victory ultimately went to Norway's Alexander Steen Olsen, second place to Henrik Kristoffersen, and third to Atle Lie Mcgrath.

Fellow Stifel U.S. Ski Team athletes Isaiah Nelson, Bridger Gile and Cooper Puckett and Global Racing skier Patrick Kenney also raced but did not make a second run. Gile did not finish but is okay. Notably, it was Puckett’s first World Cup start as well, a position he learned he landed a mere 24 hours before go time. 

“It was an OK day. I got a little bit low on my run but in terms of the experience it was awesome,” said Puckett. “I think I have been really close to starting World Cups for three years now and it felt natural being here. I want to keep going and giving myself opportunities.”

The U.S. men’s team now prepares for the first slalom race in Levi, Finland Nov. 17 and the next giant slalom will be back on home turf at the Stifel Birds of Prey presented by United Airlines on Dec. 8 in Beaver Creek, CO.

RESULTS
Men's giant slalom

In the opening FIS Ski Alpine World Cup in Sölden, Austria, the Stifel U.S. Ski Team's alpine women came to play, throwing four women into the top 11 - a feat that has not been achieved in U.S. women's history since four women were in the top ten on March 17, 1985. The result sheet led with Katie Hensien just shy of a podium in fourth, Mikaela Shiffrin fifth, Nina O’Brien seventh and Paula Moltzan 11th. 

The excitement was in the air from the first run as all five starters put their best foot forward in the race. Mikaela Shiffrin, the winningest alpine skier of all time with 97 World Cup wins under her belt, set the pace, running first and staying there the remainder of the run. Teammate Paula Moltzan also skied well, with a minor mistake to land in the top 10 after the first run. The women could not be stopped as the long-anticipated return of Nina O’Brien and Katie Hensien skied into 17th and 21st position, an excellent place going into the second run. Keely Cashman made her return to the tech venue but did not finish first run. 

“I felt solid in my skiing. I am ok with it, but the first run is always tough to see what's happening, so for the second run, I need to be on top of it,” said Shiffrin. “I felt really good with my skiing technically.” 

The conditions were a bit warmer, with light rain and wind up on top of the track. The snow was softer than a typical World Cup course, making it a great opportunity to stand on the ski with confidence. Running toward the beginning of the second run, O’Brien and Hensien made a statement. First, O’Brien knifed a high-speed run to take the lead. Hensien followed suit with an aggressive show to win the second run. With conditions deteriorating and the light coming in and out, Shiffrin skied well on the bumpy second run track to land fifth, with Moltzan closing out the historic day for the women in 11th. 

Skier after skier came down and could not hold a candle to Hensien or O’Brien. The duo moved up over ten spots from run one. Hensien was a mere .03 seconds out of a podium finish and O’Brien had a career-best seventh-place finish, 

“First race back, first time ever racing on this hill. I couldn't have asked for a better day,” beamed Hensien in the finish.  “It's really good to be able to trust my body again. I trusted my skiing today and went for it and I am so happy."

The joy and smiles from the U.S. team were palpable as Hensien and O’Brien were greeted in the best way back to the World Cup and proving that their hard work, dedication and perseverance in coming back from injury had paid off. Not only were they congratulated by their team, but countless international competitors made their way to the duo to hug them and share in the happiness of the incredible comeback race. 

“I am running on adrenaline but I am so happy to be here. I felt really free in the start gate and that's all I needed for today,” said O’Brien. “I could tell that my skiing was coming along in training, but you never know where you stack up when you get here, so I am proud of it, and I am happy.”

O’Brien suffered a leg injury in the Beijing Olympics on her second giant slalom in 2022, rehabbing for the 2022-23 season. She fractured her leg again while training last summer, missing the 2023-24 season. To come back this strong after two years of work is a moment she won’t forget. 

“It means everything to me. Katie and I both missed last season and we were really there for each other in the rehab so this is amazing.”

The top phrases of the day started with “How did this happen?” to a positive “We are back, and we belong” from Hensien and O’Brien. Announcers in the Sölden stadium applauded the American women, claiming that the team “is on fire.” 

“My teammates were incredible today, so overall, it was a really strong day for the North Americans. I am excited to watch their runs!” said Shiffrin. 

After a fiery start to the season, the women feel confident and ready to attack the next World Cup race in Levi, Finland on Nov. 16 for a slalom. The Stifel U.S. Ski Team men's alpine athletes will get their chance on the same track tomorrow. Watch LIVE and on-demand on Peacock. 

RESULTS
Giant Slalom

HOW TO WATCH
5:00 a.m. ET - men's giant slalom, run 1, Sölden, Austria - Peacock (live)
8:00 a.m. ET - men's giant slalom, run 2, Sölden, Austria - Peacock (live)