With a strong second run, Mikaela Shiffrin took seventh place in the FIS World Cup giant slalom in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia. 

Conditions on the Podkoren course were rough—a venue generally used for men’s World Cups—with the course workers battling heavy snowfall earlier in the week. But Sara Hector of Sweden made it look easy, winning both runs by a total of .96 seconds over Frenchwoman Tessa Worley. It was Hector’s third career win and her second victory in the last 10 days. Marta Bassino of Italy was third with Canadian Valérie Grenier surprising everyone, skiing from bib 25 to fourth place. 

Shiffrin had crushed the two giant slaloms in Courchevel, France just before the holiday break, finishing first and second, but after contracting COVID and quarantining, she was open about feeling off her game after not training. She finished 14th first run and while she put down a much faster second run to move up to seventh place, she knows she has a long way to go.

“Four runs on my GS skis yesterday was not enough to hope or even wish that I could compete with the top women today, who showed very strong and very brave skiing,” said Shiffrin. “Still, I am disappointed to feel today that I was so far away from GS skiing that was just right there not too long ago. I’ll work to get that feeling back but for now, the job is to reset and recover the best I can for tomorrow’s slalom.”

However, the ever-positive Shiffrin looked on the bright side. “It’s really good to be back racing and I’ll take that over watching from my bed in quarantine any day,” said Shiffrin. “Big congrats to the podium, especially Sara Hector. That was incredibly strong skiing.”

With Hector’s win, she leap-frogged over Shiffrin to take the lead in the giant slalom standings. Shiffrin still maintains the lead in the overall World Cup standings, 135 points more than Petra Vlhova of Slovakia, who also had a challenging day, finishing 15th in Kranjska Gora. Sofia Goggia of Italy, who did not qualify for a second run, remains in third place.

Paula Moltzan was 22nd after first run, but crashed hard in second run and did not finish. She is OK. Nicola Rountree-Williams, who was starting in her career-first FIS Ski World Cup giant slalom, did not finish first run and Nina O’Brien did not qualify for second run.  

The women next race slalom in Kranjska Gora—races that moved from Maribor, Slovenia due to a lack of snow—on Sunday.

RESULTS
Women’s giant slalom

STANDINGS
Overall
Slalom

HOW TO WATCH
*All times EST.

Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022
3:30 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Women's Slalom, run 1 - LIVE, Kranjska Gora, SLO, Streaming Ski and Snowboard Live, Streaming Peacock
4:30 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Men's Slalom, run 1 - LIVE, Adelboden, SUI, Streaming Peacock
6:30 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Women's Slalom, run 2 - LIVE, Kranjska Gora, SLO, Broadcast Olympic Channel, Streaming Peacock
7:30 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Men's Slalom, run 2 - LIVE, Adelboden, SUI, Broadcast Olympic Channel, Streaming Peacock

Please note: Streaming services and apps are third-party services and subject to such parties’ terms of use and data privacy. U.S. Ski & Snowboard disclaims any and all liability for use of third-party services and apps.

Tess Johnson claimed her second World Cup podium of the season with a third-place finish Friday at the FIS Moguls World Cup in Tremblant, Canada. Elizabeth Lemley had quite the performance in her first World Cup appearance, finishing fourth.

“I’m feeling really happy, I just had so much fun today, and I’m really proud to land on the podium after a stressful Christmas and only two days of training,” said Johnson from the finish. “I took it one run at a time and just focused my attention toward my queues. I also want to congratulate Liz for such an incredible debut. We were only 0.01 points apart, so in a way I share this success with her. It’s always so fun to ski in a Supers with teammates.”

“This whole season, Tess has a fire going on, with her intensity and her positivity,” said Mogul World Cup Coach Bryon Wilson. “She’s approaching every competition with a very clear objective, and she’s executing. She’s been very consistent.”

Johnson shared the podium with first-place finisher Japan’s Anri Kawamura and France’s Perrine Laffont in second. 

After clearing active snow guns from the course, athletes were treated to a beautiful bluebird day. Johnson reported the course to be in prime condition with consistent pitch, minus a few tactical spots, “the top section and top air exit were big focus points for us,” explained Wilson. “More aggressive skiing on the top section set the tone for the rest of the run.”

The Americans didn’t miss a beat coming off their brief holiday break. Three men and four women qualified for finals. 

Lemley made an impressive statement in her first World Cup competition, going huge in her airs and pushing speed all day. Her super finals run earned her a score of 79.24, just 0.01 points off the podium behind Johnson. Lemley attributes her success to feeling good and having fun in the moment. “ I had a ton of fun today. All of my mental thoughts were really good. I think the course was fabulous and it’s always great to ski a nice course. Everything about [today] was fun, and I just felt really strong.”

“Liz’s performance was outstanding today,” said Wilson. “It’s not every day you have a young woman come into this field and do what she did. It’s a very competitive field out there, but she didn't let it bother her at all. She owned it and belonged. She has a bright future in the sport for sure.”

Olivia Giaccio built upon her momentum from early season and skied strong all day. Her top full to bottom cork Super Finals run earned a score of 77.04 for a sixth-place finish. Avital Carroll also had a solid day, skiing into 12th place in her first World Cup of the season.

Nick Page, Cole McDonald, and Dylan Walczyk all represented the U.S. in finals on the men's side. Page laid down a fierce run, scoring high in his airs and turns, but narrowly missed the super final round by 0.44 with his score of 79.60. Walczyk finished 11th. McDonald skied well through qualifiers and was having a good finals run, but got a little anxious on his bottom air and DNFed, to end the day in 16th. 

Canada’s Mikael Kingsbury won his 69th World Cup on home snow, Sweden’s Walter Wallberg finished second, and Japan’s Ikuma Hiroshima came in third. 

Madison Hogg came in 28th, Jesse Andringa came in 18th, George McQuinn in 29th, and Brad Wilson in 30th.

Friday’s competition represented the first of the last four Olympic qualifying events for American mogul skiers. On top of the added Olympic pressure, athletes are navigating an increasingly isolating experience due to tight COVID protocols. “Although it’s been stressful for everybody in trying to be as careful as we can, we were still able to have a great competition,” said Wilson. “The athletes take that adversity and handle it well. There were lots of smiles [today], and that’s always key for us – to enjoy what we do and put on a good performance.”

“I am just so thankful to Alexis (our team manager) and our staff for getting us here. It was a massive challenge,” added Johnson.

Moguls continues competition tomorrow with another World Cup on the Tremblant course.

RESULTS

Women’s Moguls
Men’s Moguls

HOW TO WATCH

Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022
2:00 p.m. EST FIS Freestyle World Cup Moguls - LIVE, Tremblant, CAN, Streaming Ski and Snowboard Live, Streaming Peacock

Broadcast and streaming are updated on the U.S. Ski & Snowboard website throughout the season.

Streaming services and apps are third-party services and subject to such parties’ terms of use and data privacy. U.S. Ski & Snowboard disclaims any and all liability for use of third-party services and apps.

2021-22 Freestyle World Cup Schedule
2021-22 Freestyle Olympic Schedule

FOLLOW THE U.S. FREESTYLE SKI TEAM
Instagram @usskiteam
Facebook @usskiandsnowboard
TikTok @usskiandsnowboard
Twitter @usskiteam 

Have you ever wanted to see your artwork worn by an Olympian as she goes speeding down a slope for millions of people to see? Now is your chance! 

Artists are invited to submit a photographed image of their artwork in any still medium—pencil, ink, chalk, digital art, oil, or watercolor.

Submissions must be based on the theme "Winter in Jackson Hole" (e.g., skiing, ski racing, wildlife, Town of Jackson, Teton Village).

Artwork must be created on an 8.5x11” or 11x17” piece of paper. If artwork is chosen, the original artwork must be provided to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort for a hi-res scan. If your artwork is digital, the entry must be submitted at 300 dpi. 

Submissions are due by 11:59 p.m. MST on January 15, 2022. 

A Message from Breezy Johnson:
"When I was 13 years old and just getting serious about ski racing I remember avidly following along in the lead-up to the 2010 Olympic Games. Lindsey Vonn was the favorite for gold in five disciplines, Bode was crushing, Julia Mancuso was dazzling. I got serious about ski racing at its height in the US. I remember watching results to see if Alice McKennis would make her first games (she did). But when Lindsey Vonn announced her helmet competition prior to the 2010 games I was enthralled. It was an overlapping point between two major parts of who I was, artistic but also fiercely athletic. I drew helmet after helmet to design the coolest one. I wanted a cool snow leopard for some reason. While ultimately I was not chosen to be on her head I remember thinking that the winner brought so much of what it is to be American to Lindsey at that Games. 

And then she won.

Over the years since I forgot about the helmet a bit, though seeing the footage of that run from over a decade ago still brings it back. But no one ever did a contest, or even unique artwork, since then.

Last season was the first time I had any custom paint on my helmet and I thought back to the contest so many years ago. Were custom paint jobs still allowed? Would it even be possible? Was I cool enough to follow in one of my heroes footsteps and do the same?

While watching the Tokyo games, the lack of fans, friends, and family solidified my resolve. If Americans couldn't come to my Games maybe I could bring a bit of home with me. Maybe I could keep Americans involved in something in perhaps the most foreign Games to have ever taken place?

The logistics would be hard but I immediately thought of Jackson Hole, my home mountain and sponsor as the ideal collaborator. I am American and Jackson embodies so much of what I love about this country. Jackson is home. And so I wanted to partner with them, my home mountain, to do the contest.

I want something that embodies home on this helmet. I want something that allows me to take Jackson, and the whole US, with me. I will be selecting finalists based on what reminds me of home. So think of what pieces of this amazing country, and the amazing place of Jackson Hole, I might want to take with me. Something that reminds me of everyone, and everything, at home supporting me. Though if you want to submit a cool snow leopard you can do that too.

I also thought. What makes America America? And the answer to that is voting, democracy. So once the applications are complete Jackson Hole and I will be selecting a few finalists. And then everyone, artistic or not, old or young, can choose what goes on in my head. I hope you guys are excited because I sure as hell am." 

Grand Prize

• Artwork Placed on Johnson's Olympic Helmet
• A Half-Day of Skiing with Johnson
• A Pair of Skis or Snowboard
• Helmet with Art

Johnson will choose finalists, and a group of judges and the winner will be selected by public voting on Instagram at @jacksonhole and announced in January.

More Details at JacksonHole.com.

Alpine skiing legend Lindsey Vonn is stepping behind the camera to tell the story of her childhood hero and Olympic gold medallist Picabo Street.

The new documentary called PICABO will premiere on Jan. 21 and will be available to stream on Peacock in the United States and Olympics.com in the rest of the world ahead of the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022.

Vonn, now the most decorated female alpine skier of all time, first met Street at age nine at an autograph signing at a ski shop in Minnesota. It was that encounter that sparked her desire to become an Olympian.

“Picabo’s personality and her ability to connect with me as a child was what made me a fan,” says Vonn. “She was authentic and confident, exactly what I wanted to be.”

Now, she’s prepared to ‘finally return the favor,’ with the first career-spanning film chronicling the life of Street, an alpine skiing icon of the 1990s.

Olympic Success, Injuries and Arrest
From Street’s unorthodox childhood upbringing in rural Idaho to her Olympic successes, dramatic recoveries from ill-timed injuries, and her arrest in 2015 due to false allegations, PICABO provides an intimate look at Street’s fascinating life through an emotional interview with Vonn and unprecedented behind-the-scenes footage of Street’s life.
 

“I’m excited for people to learn how Picabo became Picabo. Everyone knows the well-spoken, charismatic downhill skier but no one knows entirely what she went through to get to where she did,” adds Vonn in an Olympics.com exclusive interview. “She broke so many glass ceilings so that women like me could achieve our dreams.”

Then there’s the matter of Vonn’s co-director, Frank Marshall. The veteran Hollywood producer has worked on some of the biggest films in history, including the Indiana Jones, “Back to the Future,” “Jurassic Park”, and Jason Bourne franchises.

“I’ve been a big fan of Peek since I met her in 1996,” says Marshall, who was once a vice president of the U.S. Olympic Committee. “Her desire to give back, her enthusiasm and positive energy to overcome obstacles in life make her a great role model. And who better than Lindsey to tell the story with, sitting there across from her, as someone who can relate and then some. It’s a story of friendship, mentorship, and passing the baton.”

PICABO is part of the Olympic Channel’s signature Five Rings Films collection, a series of incisive and entertaining feature-length documentaries directed by some of the biggest names in film from around the world. Previous titles include “The Nagano Tapes,” “Rulon,” and “The Distance,” released ahead of Tokyo 2020. Five Rings Films is produced exclusively for the International Olympic Committee by executive producers Marshall and Mandalay Sports Media’s Mike Tollin, whose recent credits include “The Last Dance.” Greg Groggel serves as executive producer for the Olympic Channel.

“I hope viewers will see that dreams can come true, no matter where you come from,” adds Marshall. “If you have the right vision, focus, discipline, and dedication, you can overcome even the greatest obstacles, both personal and physical.”

According to Street, the motivation for participating in the film, which she describes as a “life-changing experience,” is more straightforward: her three young boys.

“I would like them to know and understand who their Mom really was!”

Starting Jan. 21, they will.

Story courtesy of Olympics.com.

Eric Loughran led the Americans in Wednesday’s FIS Aerials World Cup in Le Relais, Canada, finishing in seventh place. Park City Ski & Snowboard athlete Derek Krueger earned a career best, making his first World Cup finals to finish ninth. Quinn Dehlinger finished 16th and Karenna Elliott finished 19th. 

“[The day] went pretty well,” reflected Loughran. “Definitely got some good training in here, would have liked to have beat seventh but happy to be in the top 10. Right before I jumped I had a small feeling to step up, but it wasn’t quite enough.”

The jump site was a little flatter, which sent athletes further down the hill. Loughran struggled throughout training to hit his takeoffs, and him and World Cup Aerial Coach Eric Bergoust made a conservative speed choice for his finals Full Double-Full Full. He earned a score of 114.16, missing the super final round by less than four points. In aerial skiing, athletes and coaches have to make calculated decisions for starting positions on the in-run. It is partly a science and partly intuition and years of experience. 

"To finish ninth in finals was a big deal for me," said Krueger. "This season is my first year competing triple backflips as well as being my first full season on the World Cup tour. My results exceeded my expectations going into this competition."

"Today was a great day for me. With good conditions and great training I was able to compete two of my best jumps on snow. Being one of the newer athletes on the triple and World Cup tour, today's competition was a good learning experience for me."

Krueger executed a beautiful Full Full Full and stomped the landing for a score of 109.75. This is his first year competing on the triple. "People sometimes tend to be forward on the triple in their first year," explained Bergoust. "But Derek did a great triple takeoff when it counted. He stuck that landing."

China went 1-2 on the men’s side with Jiaxu Sun and Longxiao Yang, respectively. Switzerland’s Nicolas Gygax came in third. China’s Mengtao Xu earned first for the women, Canada’s Marion Thanualt took second and China’s Fanyu Kong finished third. 

Aerials competes next on home snow at Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah, for the 2022 Intermountain Healthcare Freestyle International Jan. 12. 

RESULTS
Women’s Aerials
Men’s Aerials

U.S. Snowboard Team and U.S. Freeski Team athletes are ready to compete in the final Toyota U.S. Grand Prix of the season at Mammoth Mountain, California. Halfpipe and slopestyle qualifiers and finals for skiing and snowboarding will take place from Jan. 6-8, with the preliminary Olympic team naming celebration following the final event on Saturday night. 

Top U.S. Team athletes who have already achieved criteria for the 2022 Olympic Winter Games will be among those competing. Those athletes include two-time Olympian and 2021 Halfpipe Champion Aaron Blunck, 2018 Olympic Silver medalist Alex Ferreira, and 17-year-old Hanna Faulhaber in Freeski halfpipe. The 2021 FIS slopestyle and overall Crystal Globe winner, Colby Stevenson, achieved slopestyle criteria, along with teammate Mac Forehand.

U.S. Snowboard Team Olympic Gold Medalists Jamie Anderson and Red Gerard, along with Dusty Henricksen, have achieved criteria in slopestyle thus far. Defending Olympic Gold Medalist Chloe Kim and teammate Maddie Mastro have both achieved criteria for Olympic selection, although they will not be competing this weekend. 

With points and podiums on the line, be prepared to see a heavy progression session as the international field of competitors drop into Mammoth’s Unbound halfpipe and slopestyle course. 

Snowboard 

Keep an eye on the U.S. Team vets in the men’s snowboard halfpipe, including three-time Olympic Gold Medalist Shaun White, who is looking to compete in his fifth Olympics. X Games medalist Toby Miller can lean into years of experience and skill in his effort to qualify for Team USA. Young guns Joey Okesson, Lucas Foster and Tessa Maud also have high hopes for their performances this weekend as they look to secure an Olympic team spot.

In slopestyle, the stakes have never been higher. A talented field of competitors is ready to put it all on the line, including Julia Marino and Hailey Langland in the women’s field, Brock Crouch, Chris Corning, Judd Henkes, and many more in the men’s field, all gunning for points and the podium. 

“Mammoth Mountain is once again the perfect host for the riders to battle it out for those final Olympic team spots,” U.S. Snowboard Team Coach Mike Jankowski said ahead of training. “The halfpipe and slopestyle venues are in great shape and we anticipate another epic and suspenseful competition to the very end.”

Snowboard slopestyle qualifiers kick off on Thursday, Jan. 6, with halfpipe qualifiers on Friday, Jan 7. Saturday, Jan. 8, will be a big day for snowboarding, with afternoon slopestyle finals and night pipe finals.  

U.S Snowboard Halfpipe Men’s Starts
Shaun White
Lucas Foster
Chase Blackwell
Toby Miller 
Ryan Wachendorfer  
Jack Coyne
Jason Wolle
Joey Okesson

U.S Snowboard Halfpipe Women’s Starts
Tessa Maud
Alexandria Simsovits

U.S Snowboard Slopestyle Men’s Starts
Red Gerard
Dusty Henricksen
Chris Corning
Brock Crouch
Judd Henkes
Lyon Farrell
Sean Fitzsimons
Kyle Mack
Jake Canter
Luke Winkelmann
Fynn Bullock-Womble

U.S Snowboard Slopestyle Women’s Starts
Jamie Anderson
Hailey Langland
Julia Marino
Courtney Rummel

Competing Snowboard Field:

Men's Snowboard Slopestyle bib assignment
Women's Snowboard Slopestyle bib assignment
Men's Snowboard Halfpipe bib assignment
Women's Snowboard Halfpipe bib assignment

FREESKI

The level of talent on the U.S. Freeski Team is through the roof as the athletes head into their final Grand Prix of the season. It’s going to be an absolute battle to make it into the finals, let alone advance to the podium.

In halfpipe, two-time Olympic Gold Medalist David Wise is one to watch, as he looks to qualify for his third Olympic Games, as well as Olympic Bronze Medalist Brita Sigourney. A packed slate of talented U.S. athletes, including Birk Irving and Lyman Currier will also make a bid for a spot on Team USA.

In slopestyle, Alex Hall, Nick Goepper, Cody LaPlante, Caroline Claire, and Maggie Voisin are among those looking to earn their place on the team. 

“With four events already under the belt this season the team is really firing on all cylinders and looking to keep the momentum going here in Mammoth,” U.S. Freeski Slopestyle Coach, Skogen Sprang, said ahead of training. “This is a pivotal event in the qualifying process and we’re really looking forward to an exciting slopestyle contest.”

The Freeski competition kicks off with halfpipe qualifiers on Thursday, Jan. 6, followed by slopestyle qualifiers and halfpipe finals on Friday, Jan. 7. The weekend concludes with slopestyle finals on Saturday, Jan. 8.

U.S. Freeski Halfpipe Men’s Starts
Aaron Blunck
Birk Irving
David Wise
Alex Ferreira
Lyman Currier
Jaxin Hoerter
Cassidy Jarrell
Hunter Hess
Dylan Ladd
Sammy Schuiling
Tristan Feinberg

U.S. Freeski Halfpipe Women’s Starts
Brita Sigourney
Devin Logan
Hanna Faulhaber
Abigale Hansen
Svea Irving
Annalisa Drew
Riley Jacobs
Jenna “Jay” Riccomini 

U.S. Freeski Slopestyle Men’s Starts
Colby Stevenson
Mac Forehand
Alex Hall
Nick Goepper
Cody LaPlante
Hunter Henderson
Willie Borm
Konnor Ralph
Charlie Gnoza

U.S. Freeski Slopestyle Women’s Starts
Caroline Claire
Maggie Voisin
Marin Hamill
Grace Henderson
Jenna “Jay” Riccomini 
Bella Bacon

Competing Freeski Field:

Men's Freeski Halfpipe bib assignment
Women's Freeski Halfpipe bib assignment
Men's Freeski Slopestyle bib assignment
Women's Freeski Slopestyle bib assignment

HOW TO WATCH
*All times EST.

Friday, Jan. 7, 2022

9:30 p.m. FIS Freeski World Cup Toyota U.S. Grand Prix Halfpipe - LIVE, Mammoth Mountain, CA, Streaming Peacock

Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022

12:30 p.m. FIS Snowboard World Cup Toyota U.S. Grand Prix Slopestyle - LIVE, Mammoth Mountain, CA, Streaming Peacock

4:00 p.m. FIS Freeski World Cup Toyota U.S. Grand Prix Slopestyle - LIVE, Mammoth Mountain, CA, Streaming Peacock

9:30 p.m. FIS Snowboard World Cup Toyota U.S. Grand Prix Halfpipe - LIVE, Mammoth Mountain, CA, Streaming Peacock

Please note: Streaming services and apps are third-party services and subject to such parties’ terms of use and data privacy. U.S. Ski & Snowboard disclaims any and all liability for use of third-party services and apps.

Sophia Laukli and Novie McCabe saved their best for last, finishing fifth and seventh respectively to post career-best World Cup results in the final stage of the FIS Tour de Ski in Val di Fiemme, Italy, Tuesday. 

“It felt pretty good,” McCabe said after finishing the traditional final 3k climb up the Alpe Cermis in Cavalese. “It was tough, obviously, but I’m stoked about it.”

“It was quite a shock,” Laukli said of her fifth-place result. “After yesterday, I was extremely tired, so it was a bit of a 180. I was really looking forward to this race though, and I knew that this was my style of course, so I was really excited.”

Indeed, the Alpe Cermis certainly fits the style for Laukli and McCabe with pitches as steep as 28 percent. The course kicked off with a 2.5k loop before heading out onto the famed Marcialongo trail, which provided a fast respite for the athletes prior to the final climb. Jessie Diggins was fifth coming out of the Marcialongo, with Laukli and McCabe a bit further back in the field of 46 athletes who started the race. 

“I was right with Sophia,” McCabe said as they began the climb, “and I knew that she was going to be in a good position, so I tried to follow her.”

“I tried to stay pretty chill and ski it tactfully well,” Laukli said, “and I was able to start the climb with a lot of energy. Like Novie said. We were pretty far back, up until the climb started, so we were well-rested and able to make some moves on the climb.”

Norway’s Heidi Weng won the race, with Sweden’s Ebba Andersson in second and Delphine Claudel of France in third. Russia’s Natalia Nepryaeva was fourth to secure the overall Tour de Ski victory. The overall win also moved her into atop the World Cup overall standings. Jessie Diggins was 15th Tuesday and finished eighth overall. Alayna Sonnesyn was 36th Tuesday. 

In the men’s 10k freestyle mass start, Norway’s Sjur Roethe took the win, with Russia’s Dennis Spitsov in second and Friedrich Moch of Germany in third. Norway’s 19 KLAEBO Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo took the overall Tour de Ski victory. For the U.S. Zak Ketterson finished 48th in Tuesday’s stage, completing his first six events on the World Cup circuit.

“That was definitely the hardest race I have ever done,” Ketter said of Tuesday’s final stage. “It just kept going and there was not a lot of rest of course because you’re only going uphill. But I’m proud to have finished because it was a long journey just to get here.”

RESULTS
Women’s 10k freestyle
Men’s 10k freestyle

STANDINGS
Women’s Tour de Ski final overall 
Men’s Tour de Ski final overall

In her first race back on the FIS World Cup after coming down with COVID-19 over the holidays, Mikaela Shiffrin put down a blazing second run to take second place in the Zagreb, Croatia night slalom. Paula Moltzan was 11th.

Conditions were tough, with warm weather providing barely enough snow to drill in the gates, and plenty of wind made obvious by the myriad of tree leaves scattered across the hill and a course hold second run to re-install the finish banner that had blown down. There were dozens of DNFs due to the tricky sugary snow, but Petra Vlhova of Slovakia put it all on the line to win the first run by .64 seconds. And she didn’t back off in the second run, taking the win at the Croatian night race for the third year in a row. Shiffrin was half a second behind Vlhova in second place with Katharina Liensberger of Austria finishing third after a big mistake on her second run, 2.11 seconds behind Vlhova.

Shiffrin missed the slalom and giant slalom races in Lienz, Austria just before New Year's due to a bout with COVID-19, but was thrilled to return to one of her favorite venues on the circuit after testing negative. She said she didn't have the ideal preparation due to quarantine, but felt normal and healthy. “I was really happy to be here today,” she said. “I think I had more fun skiing than anybody. After the last weeks, it was like ugh, come on! I just started getting this rhythm going and then totally cut down in the middle of it.”

The two-time Olympic champion and six-time world champion had certainly fallen into a rhythm throughout December, having five podiums in the last six races she entered. Zagreb was also an ideal venue to make her return, having won Zagreb’s Snow Queen Trophy night slalom four times.
 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Mikaela Shiffrin ⛷💨 (@mikaelashiffrin)

While rival Vlhova took her third title on the hill, Shiffrin was pleased with her skiing, all things considered. “I knew it was going to be tough today after 10 days in a room and not being able to do any kind of physical exercise,” she said. “I lost some of this energy to push, but today showed me I didn’t lose too much. It’s something I can get back and I’ll do my best to get that back over the next weeks. It was quite a positive day. I love racing in Zagreb, even if I’m not winning, I just love it here. I really appreciate that I was able to come back for this race.”

Moltzan had a tough second run, dealing with gusts of wind in the start gate as well as the soft course conditions and a fractured wrist, but still scored an excellent 11th place finish—her best finish at the venue.

With her second-place finish, Shiffrin still leads the overall World Cup standings by 115 points over Vlhova, who overtook speed-specialist Sofia Goggia with her win. Vlhova continued to build on her overall slalom standings with 480 points to Shiffrin’s 340.

Katie Hensien just missed the flip, finishing 31st run in her first run by nine-hundredths of a second, so did not qualify for a second run. Lila Lapanja and Zoe Zimmerman also did not qualify for a second run and Nicola Rountree-Williams—who was racing in her career-first World Cup—did not finish first run.

The men race their night slalom in Zagreb on Wednesday. The women head to Kranjska Gora, Slovenia for a slalom and giant slalom.

RESULTS
Women's slalom

STANDINGS
Overall
Slalom

HOW TO WATCH
*All times EST.

Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022
9:30 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Men's Slalom, run 1 – LIVE, Zagreb, CRO, Streaming Ski and Snowboard Live, Streaming Peacock
12:30 p.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Men's Slalom, run 2 – LIVE, Zagreb, CRO, Streaming Ski and Snowboard Live, Streaming Peacock

Please note: Streaming services and apps are third-party services and subject to such parties’ terms of use and data privacy. U.S. Ski & Snowboard disclaims any and all liability for use of third-party services and apps.

After missing both the slalom and giant slalom races in Lienz, Austria due to a bout with COVID-19, two-time Olympic champion and six-time world champion Mikaela Shiffrin has tested negative and is set to return to the FIS Ski World Cup stage on Tuesday, Jan. 4, to compete in Zagreb's famous 'Snow Queen Trophy' night slalom. Shiffrin has been crowned 'Snow Queen' at the venue on four occasions and will look to make a strong comeback from her fourth-place finish in 2020 as she battles for the World Cup slalom title. Currently, she trails rival Petra Vlhova of Slovakia by 120 points in the slalom standings. Still, she has maintained the lead in the race for the Overall Crystal Globe over Italy's Sofia Goggia.
 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Mikaela Shiffrin ⛷💨 (@mikaelashiffrin)

Zagreb's night slalom could be a big night for Shiffrin in more ways than one. Her fifth-consecutive slalom win in Killington, Vermont, put her neck and neck with the legendary Ingemar Stenmark for most World Cup wins in a single discipline (46). A win in Zagreb would push her past the outstanding record, marking her 47th slalom win in her career, further establishing her dominance in the discipline.

Shiffrin won't be the only U.S. athlete making their first appearance of 2022 in Zagreb. She'll be joined by a crew of fresh faces and World Cup mainstays alike. Paula Moltzan, Katie Hensien, Zoe Zimmermann, Nicola Rountree-Williams, and Lila Lapanja are set to start in the Zagreb night slalom. Tuesday's appearance will be Rountree-Williams' career-first World Cup start. 

START LIST
Women's slalom

STANDINGS
Overall
Slalom

HOW TO WATCH
All times EST.

Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022
6:30 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Women's Slalom, run 1 – LIVE, Zagreb, CRO, Streaming Ski and Snowboard Live, Streaming Peacock
10:00 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Women's Slalom, run 2 – LIVE, Zagreb, CRO, Streaming Ski and Snowboard Live, Streaming Peacock

Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022
9:30 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Men's Slalom, run 1 – LIVE, Zagreb, CRO, Streaming Ski and Snowboard Live, Streaming Peacock
12:30 p.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Men's Slalom, run 2 – LIVE, Zagreb, CRO, Streaming Ski and Snowboard Live, Streaming Peacock

Sport-specific broadcast and streaming schedules are available below:

• Alpine
• Cross Country
• Freeski
• Freestyle
• Ski Jumping
• Nordic Combined
• Snowboard

Broadcast and streaming schedules are updated daily basis throughout the season.

**Please note: Streaming services and apps are third-party services and subject to such parties’ terms of use and data privacy. U.S. Ski & Snowboard disclaims any liability for using third-party services and apps.

On Monday, the remaining Davis U.S. Cross Country Team athletes dug deep into the pain cave to fight for another day at the FIS Tour de Ski on a world-class course in Val di Fiemme, Italy. 

Jessie Diggins, rebounding from her unfortunate race in Oberstdorf, Germany, Saturday, led the way, finishing 13th in the women’s 10k classic mass start. “I went as hard as I could and really dug deep,” Diggins said. “I gave it what I had today, and I am proud of that.”

After the penultimate stage, Russia’s Natalia Nepryaeva won her second-straight stage to maintain her overall Tour de Ski lead. Norway’s Heidi Weng was second, followed by Sweden’s Krista Parmakoski in third. Katharine Ogden just missed scoring World Cup points, finishing 31st, while Novie McCabe was 36th; Sophia Laukli was 39th, and Alayna Sonnesyn was 51st.

Diggins dropped to sixth overall in the Tour de Ski standings, 1:42 back. However, she moved into second in the overall FIS World Cup standings, just five points behind Sweden’s Frida Karlsson, who took Diggins out in Saturday’s Stage 4 classic sprint. Karlsson did not start Monday’s Stage 5.

In the 15k men’s classic mass start, Norway’s Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo skied away from the field once again to win his fourth TdS stage. Finland’s Iivo Niskanen was second, followed by Russia’s Alexey Chervotkin in third. Gus Schumacher was 50th, and Zak Ketterson, competing in his first Tour and fifth World Cup race, was 59th.

“This is my first Tour, and probably the first time I have ever done this many races in so few days, so you kind of go into the race just seeing what would happen, and today was pretty tough,” Ketterson said. “But it’s just the nature of skiing that you have to look toward the next stage. We have another race tomorrow, and it’s a new chance.”

With five races in the past seven days and more than 8 hours of travel between venues, the athletes are brushing off fatigue to put their best ski forward. “I felt tired, for sure,” said McCabe, who is competing in her first Tour de Ski. “Not my best, but I’m proud of pushing the whole way because it was not easy.”

“Definitely feeling the multiple races in me,” said Laukli, who is also competing in her first Tour de Ski. “I’ve had better days, and I’ve had worse days.”

Tuesday’s Stage 6 finalé climbs the final three kilometers up the lower slopes of the Alpe Cermis in Cavalese. The stage offers one last opportunity for the athletes to move up in the overall standings.

“I have been looking forward to this race for a long time,” Laukli said. “I’m going into it very tired, but I’m still pretty stoked to do it.”

RESULTS
Women’s 10k classic mass start
Men’s 15k classic mass start

STANDINGS
Women’s Tour de Ski Overall
Men’s Tour de Ski Overall
Women’s World Cup overall
Men’s World Cup overall
Women’s World Cup distance
Men’s World Cup distance

HOW TO WATCH
All Times EST

Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022
5:30 a.m. FIS Cross Country World Cup Women's 10km Mass Start - LIVE, Val di Fiemme, ITA, Streaming Ski and Snowboard Live, Streaming Peacock
9:25 a.m. FIS Cross Country World Cup Men's 10km Mass Start - LIVE, Val di Fiemme, ITA, Streaming Ski and Snowboard Live, Streaming Peacock