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Shiffrin Hikes in Lenzerheide

By Courtney Harkins
January, 28 2018
Mikaela Shiffrin
Mikaela Shiffrin races the Lenzerheide slalom. (Getty Images/Agence Zoom-Alain Grosclaude)

It looked like Mikaela Shiffrin (Eagle-Vail, Colo.) was going to take her seventh FIS World Cup slalom win of the season in Lenzerheide, Switzerland, but made a mistake just before the finish and had to hike.

Shiffrin, who would have clinched the slalom World Cup crystal globe with a win or a second-place finish, led after first run by over six-tenths of a second. She built on the lead throughout her second run to over a second, but with the finish line in sight, Shiffrin made a mistake and couldn’t keep her line. She finished 27th.

Petra Vlhova of Slovakia won the race, with Frida Hansdotter of Sweden in second and Wendy Holdener of Switzerland in third. Resi Stiegler (Jackson, Wyo.) was the only other American in the second run, and finished 18th.

Shiffrin now takes a well-deserved break before the PyeongChang Olympics. Stiegler will race the Stockholm city event on Tuesday.

RESULTS
Women's slalom

USA Women: Two for Two in Seefeld

By Tom Kelly
January, 28 2018
Jessie Diggins
This is how you win a World Cup. Jessie Diggins beats World Cup leader Heidi Weng to make it a two-for-two victory weekend for the U.S. Ski Team. (Getty Images/AFP-Barbara Gindl)

Jessie Diggins (Afton, Minn.) skied a brilliant race on fast skis to give the USA a victory sweep of the weekend following Sophie Caldwell's (Peru, Vt.) win in Saturday's freestyle sprint. The 10k freestyle mass start was a test event for the 2019 World Chanpionships in Seefeld, Austria. It was Diggins' first win of the season and set the stage for the team to head to PyeongChang next week for the Olympic Winter Games.

Three U.S. women cracked the top 14 with Sadie Bjornsen (Winthrop, Wash.) eighth and Kikkan Randall (Anchorage) 14th.

The U.S. men had one of their strongest days in recent history in distance racing. Erik Bjornsen (Winthrop, Wash.) was ninth in the men's 15k freestyle mass start with Simi Hamilton (Aspen, Colo.) 12th - both career bests and just seconds behind winner Dario Cologna of Switzerland.

Diggins had sat out Saturday's sprint to pace herself going into the Olympics. She came to the start line fresh and energized, engaging in the race from the start. She played a cat and mouse game with Weng and Norway's Ingvild Flugstad Østberg, mainly back in third to fifth. As they lapped back into the stadium on a long downhill, Diggins let her Salomon skis run and saw quickly she was much faster than the field. Coming into a sharp right corner, she ducked down inside Weng and Østberg to sneak into the lead. She held that spot, dropping back again for a period before making her move on a hill with about a kilometer to go. As the leaders hit the climb, Diggins attacked building a gap and widening it on the subsequent downhill. Raghild Haga then moved into the picture, joining Diggins and Weng in a finish sprint. But it was all Diggins as she took her fifth career World Cup win and first above 5k.

"What a fun race," she said. "Such a cool feeling, having the energy after sitting out Saturday’s race to then make a decisive move on that final brutal uphill. It was a hard course on which to break up the pack. So I stayed near the front and out of trouble, taking my turn to pull but also saving some energy knowing that it would likely come down to the last few kilometers like the men’s race did. I was confident in my skis and how I was cornering the big downhill, so I just put my head down and went for it."

Diggins won in similar style as Cologna had just a few hours earlier, admitting to watching the men and learning his strategy. But one of the keys were her skis. 

"I just had awesome skis today, and our techs did such a good job," she said. "We had some absolutely killer cheering out there as the men’s downhill team came out in full force. I can’t believe how awesome it was to hear them yelling on the side of the trail."

Sadie Bjornsen admitted that her brother Erik's performance in the morning gave her a boost. "I got my brother by one spot, which is a daily competition for the two of us," she laughed. "He set the bar high this morning. I am just so excited to see how well he did, and Simi as well. Those two have a bright future for the team sprint, I can't even wait to watch!"

Her eighth place finish was a career best in a 10k freestyle. "It was an exciting, and super fun final race before the Olympic Games," she said. "It was hot from the start on a really fun course here in Seefeld. I think the nature of the course kind of held the pack together a bit more, which always makes for a fun race. I felt really good out there, and was super happy with the day."

The men's race was pivotal for the USA.

"it was an incredible day," said Hamilton. "I’ve been wanting to do that for a while and today a whole lot of things just clicked. My fitness is great right now and it gives me so much confidence leading into Korea."

The rare mass start format provided an opportunity for new strategies and the course played to the U.S. strengths.

"I focused on skiing a smart race, staying relaxed on the climbs, and picking people off where I could," said Hamilton. "I think the downhills really played into my strengths, and my skis were absolute rockets. I was able to get past a few people on each long downhill on each lap, so moving up through the pack worked really well today."

Hamilton echoed the importance of the event for the team, with three in the points including Scott Patterson (Anchorage) finishing 27th.

"I’m so, so psyched for Scott and Erik today too - specially Erik with his first ever top 10 - and he earned that one today," said Hamilton. "And to have Scott in the points gives our whole men’s team a really good energy heading into Korea." 

Spirits were high across the U.S. Ski Team after its final race before PyeongChang. "It will be great to have two more weeks to rest, recover and come in sharp for these exciting races to come," said Sadie Bjornsen. "I am so excited to see our team on fire right now too. The vibe is great, the spirit is high, and we are so excited to take on the world in a few weeks here! Win or lose, I think this team is going to do something great! Now, let the games begin."

Diggins remained third in the FIS World Cup overall standings with Bjornsen seventh.

The team will train in Europe before heading to PyeongChang next week.

RESULTS
Men's 15k Freestyle Mass Start
Women's 10k Freestyle Mass Start 

Sprint Win for Sophie Caldwell

By Tom Kelly
January, 27 2018
Sophie Caldwell
Laurien Van Der Graaff of Switzerland and Sophie Caldwell celebrate after the Ladies FIS Cross Country Sprint World Cup on in Seefeld, Austria. (Getty Images/AFP - Barbara Gindl)

In an aggressive head-to-head battle, Sophie Caldwell (Peru, Vt.) put down some powerful skiing over three heats to tie for the win in the 2019 World Championship test event freestyle sprint in Seefeld, Austria. Sadie Bjornsen (Winthrop, Wash.) joined her in the finals, finishing sixth. Swiss Laurien van der Graaf joined Caldwell for the win.

Simi Hamilton (Aspen, Colo.) was ninth to lead the U.S. men as Norway’s Johannes Høsflot Klæbo continued his domination.

“I was not expecting to take the win and didn’t realize I had tied for first until 20 minutes after the race had ended,” said Caldwell. “Any day in the final is a good day, any day on the podium is a good day, so of course I’m thrilled with a win.”

The short 1.1k flat course provided some intense skating action with Caldwell and Bjornsen in it across each heat. Caldwell found herself up against Norway's powerhouse skier Maiken Kaspersen Falla in every heat, taking down the Norwegian star in both the semifinals and finals.

“Maiken and I both chose the first heat, which I was pretty psyched with because I really enjoy skiing with her and I knew they would be fast heats,” said Caldwell. “She likes to lead and she’s a very clean skier, so my strategy was to follow her and have a strong finish. I got off to a slow start in my quarter final, but I was able to take the top corner well and move into second.”

Caldwell, who qualified fourth, was just .08 off Falla's pace in the opening heat - the fastest of the opening round by over two seconds. Bjornsen took a half second win in her heat.

Caldwell and Falla battled the entire way in the first semifinal heat with the American taking the win. Bjornsen was second with the pair advancing into the finals.

“After that opening heat I tried to have stronger starts to put myself into a good position,” she said. “I was feeling good all day and knew this was a course that suited my strengths, so I thought if I skied it well in the final I might have a shot at the podium.”  

Falla set a torrid pace in the title round, but Caldwell never left her tails. In a field sprint to the finish, Caldwell powered by Falla while van der Graaf came charging up the other side to grab a tie with Caldwell in a photo finish that could not be separated.

It was Caldwell's fifth career individual podium and second sprint win - one each in classic and sprint. For Bjornsen, it was her first appearance in a skate sprint final.

“It was extra special to be in the final with Sadie,” said Caldwell. “She is skiing so well in every discipline right now.”

Bjornsen clearly showed she was back to form after several weeks of recovery from the Tour de Ski.

“It was an incredible day out there today on the World Championship course for next year,” said Bjornsen. “It is fun to have our final preparation for the Olympics on our World Champs course for next year! I finally had some of my first good feelings since the Tour de Ski today, and had a ton of fun with it.”

Bjornsen had a strong qualifier and set a goal of getting out of quarter finals for the first time in two years in a skate sprint 

“The quarter finals went really well and my legs were feeling really good and strong,” she said. “In the semi's, I again felt good, but could feel some fatigue coming in for the final climb. I tried to recover as fast as I could, and stay positive for the finals to try to fight for a podium alongside Sophie.”

While the field was tightly packed in the final, Bjornsen just didn’t have the power on the final climb and finished sixth - a career best skate sprint.

The one-two punch of Caldwell and Bjornsen showed, once again, the depth of the women’s team going into the Olympics.

“Big huge congrats to Sophie for the win today,” said Bjornsen. “She is an inspiration, and one speedy teammate to look up to.”

Bjornsen’s appearance in a sprint final added yet another name to mix as a contender for the upcoming two-person freestyle team sprint in PyeongChang along with Diggins and Caldwell.

Seefeld is the site of the 2019 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships. The sprint will be freestyle next year in Seefeld, with classic on tap at the upcoming Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang. The short, flat sprint course is expected to be enhanced for the World Championships.

Bjornsen remained seventh in the FIS World Cup overall rankings, while Jessie Diggins (Afton, Minn.), who sat out the race, stayed in third. Diggins had planned to skip the freestyle sprint to pace herself going into PyeongChang. She is expected to compete in Sunday’s 10k freestyle mass start. The men will run 15k.

RESULTS
Women's sprint
Men's sprint

Shiffrin Seventh In Lenzerheide Giant Slalom

By U.S. Ski & Snowboard
January, 27 2018
Mikaela Shiffrin finished seventh in Saturday’s FIS Ski World Cup giant slalom in Lenzerheide, Switzerland. (Getty Images/Agence Zoom - Alain Grosclaude)
Mikaela Shiffrin finished seventh in Saturday’s FIS Ski World Cup giant slalom in Lenzerheide, Switzerland. (Getty Images/Agence Zoom - Alain Grosclaude)

Mikaela Shiffrin (Eagle-Vail, Colo.) finished seventh in the final FIS Ski World Cup giant slalom before the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in Lenzerheide, Switzerland Saturday.

Tessa Worley of France won, with Germany’s Viktoria Rebensburg was second, and Slovenia’s Meta Hrovat picking up her first World Cup podium in third.

Shiffrin continues to lead the overall World Cup standings with 1,513 total points. Rebensburg is second with 714 points and Switzerland’s Wendy Holdener is third with 702 points. Shiffrin also leads the overall World Cup slalom standings.

Up next, the women compete in the final slalom event prior to the 2018 Olympic Winter Games Sunday in Lenzerheide, followed by a city event in Stockholm on Tuesday.

Bennett Top American in Garmisch Downhill

Bryce Bennett (Squaw Valley, Calif.) led the American Downhillers in 16th on the Kandahar track in Saturday’s FIS Ski World Cup downhill in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. Tommy Biesemeyer (Keene, N.Y.) was 29th.

“Last week in Kitzbuehel I was pretty focused on the result,” Bennett said. “Today I had a good plan of what I wanted to ski, and a plan on how I was going to execute that technically, and that’s all I focused on and it was pretty solid.”

Swiss Beat Fuez took the win as Austria’s Vincent Kriechmayr was second, followed by Italy’s Dominik Paris in third.

Up next, Ted Ligety (Park City, Utah) will lead the U.S. men in giant slalom Sunday in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

RESULTS
Women’s giant slalom
Men’s Downhill

HOW TO WATCH
All times EST
*schedules subject to change

Jan. 28
3:30 a.m. – Women’s slalom, run 1; Lenzerheide – olympicchannel.com
4:30 a.m. – Men’s giant slalom, run 1; Garmisch-Partenkirchen – olympicchannel.com
6:00 a.m. – Women’s slalom, run 2; Lenzerheide – NBCSN
7:30 a.m. – Men’s giant slalom, run 2; Garmisch-Partenkirchen – NBCSN

Vonn Fourth, Mangan 19th in Alpine Combined

By U.S. Ski & Snowboard
January, 26 2018
Vonn-Lenzerheide2-1-25-18
Lindsey Vonn finished fourth in Friday’s FIS Ski World Cup alpine combined in Lenzerheide. (Getty Images/AFP – Ruben Sprich)

Lindsey Vonn (Vail, Colo.) just missed the podium, finishing fourth in Friday’s FIS Ski World Cup alpine combined in Lenzerheide, Switzerland.

Wendy Holdener of Switzerland took the victory, followed by Italy’s Marta Bassino in second and Slovenia’s Ana Bucik in third.

Vonn won the first-run super-G and finished 18th in the second-run slalom. Tricia Mangan (Buffalo, N.Y.) finished 18th in the super-G, and 14th in the slalom to finish 19th overall, a career-best World Cup result for the 20-year-old.

“I think I skied pretty well,” Vonn said. “It’s good to get another run of super-G before the Olympics, and also for the slalom portion, its good for me to get some practice as well.”

Vonn spent the past few days testing equipment and training super-G and giant slalom in Folgaria, Italy with Andrew Weibrecht and Ted Ligety. Friday’s event served more as an Olympic tune-up to see how her body would respond to slalom, a discipline she hasn’t trained since last month.

“I’ve won slalom World Cups before, but I haven’t really trained (slalom) at all since Christmas … so that’s why I’m starting, so I can see how it feels for the Olympics and know how much I need to improve if I want to get a medal.

“If I can get a good advantage in the speed portion, and have a solid slalom run, I think I can be on the podium,” Vonn said of her Olympic alpine combined aspirations.

Friday’s alpine combined was a makeup race originally scheduled for St. Moritz, Switzerland.  Up next, the women compete in giant slalom Saturday and slalom Sunday in Lenzerheide. Mikaela Shiffrin (Eagle-Vail, Colo.) sat out Friday’s alpine combined and is scheduled to start the giant slalom and slalom events.

RESULTS
Women’s alpine combined

U.S. Olympic Cross Country Skiing Team Announced

By U.S. Ski & Snowboard
January, 25 2018
The U.S. women are expected to be contenders for a medal in the 4x5k relay at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games (U.S. Ski & Snowboard)
The U.S. women are expected to be contenders for a medal in the 4x5k relay at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games (U.S. Ski & Snowboard)

U.S. Ski & Snowboard Friday (January 26) announced its selections for the 2018 U.S. Olympic Cross Country Skiing Team that will compete at the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018 beginning February 9.

A team of veteran U.S. cross country skiers with proven results led by Jessie Diggins (Afton, Minn.), Sadie Bjornsen (Winthrop, Wash.) and Sophie Caldwell (Peru, Vt.) will head to the Games in PyeongChang with a strong opportunity for success. Diggins is presently ranked third in the world, with Bjornsen seventh.

The selections will be confirmed by the United States Olympic Committee when it formally names Team USA today (January 26).

Among those named is Kikkan Randall (Anchorage, Alaska), who will be competing in her fifth Games – the most ever for a U.S. cross country skier.

"It’s such an incredible honor to be joining another U.S. Olympic Team," said Randall. "Being able to represent my country on the world’s biggest stage is always a big highlight that I look forward to every four years. I am especially excited about this team going into 2018 as the strongest cross country contingent I’ve ever been a part of."

The team includes 20 athletes who qualified for the team through World Cup results as well as domestic racing results at the L.L.Bean U.S. Cross Country Championships.

"The U.S. Ski Team is headed to PyeongChang with one of the most talented and decorated Olympic Teams of all time,” said Cross Country Head Coach Chris Grover. "Never in our history have we fielded a team with so many podium-proven World Cup and World Championship athletes. We also have incredible momentum in this Olympic season with 10 World Cup podiums secured by early January. These USA Olympians have prepared extremely well for PyeongChang and are looking to rewrite U.S. cross country skiing history."

The Opening Ceremonies for the Games are set for February 9. The cross country team will have its first competition on Saturday, February 10 with the women's skiathlon - a blend of classic and freestyle technique. Diggins will be among contenders in that event.

NBCUniversal will present more than 2,400 hours of coverage across NBC, NBCSN, CNBC, USA Network, NBCOlympics.com, and the NBC Sports app - the most ever for a Winter Olympics.

Team Facts

  • The U.S. women will come into the Games on the heels of a strong season in sprint and distance racing, as well as classical and freestyle technique.
  • Jessie Diggins presently stands third in the FIS World Cup overall rankings with Sadie Bjornsen seventh.
  • Sophie Caldwell is third in the FIS World Cup sprint rankings with Diggins sixth. Diggins stands fifth in distance with Bjornsen 11th.
  • Kikkan Randall will compete in her fifth Olympics, the most ever for a U.S. cross country skier. Andy Newell will make his fourth Olympic appearance, matching the U.S. mark held by Bill Koch, Torin Koos and Nina Kemppel.
  • Newell and Simi Hamilton will lead the USA in sprint events for the men, with Erik Bjornsen the top contender in distance racing.
  • The U.S. women are expected to be contenders for a medal in the 4x5k relay. The women have been fourth in the last three World Championships.
  • America's only cross country Olympic medal was won by Bill Koch when he took silver in the 30k race at the 1976 Olympics in Seefeld, Austria.
  • Cross country has one of the largest Olympic programs with five events each for men and women.
  • The team features three sibling pairs - Erik and Sadie Bjornsen, Scott and Caitlin Patterson, and Logan and Reese Hanneman, plus a pair of cousins in Sophie and Patrick (Paddy) Caldwell.
  • The U.S. team will compete this weekend in Seefeld, site of next year's World Championships.

2018 U.S. OLYMPIC CROSS COUNTRY SKIING TEAM

Women

  • Sadie Bjornsen, Winthrop, Wash. (11/21/1989) *
  • Rosie Brennan, Park City, Utah (12/02/1988)
  • Sophie Caldwell, Peru, Vt. (3/22/1990) *
  • Jessie Diggins, Afton, Minn. (8/26/1991) *
  • Rosie Frankowski, Anchorage, Alaska (7/30/1991)
  • Anne Hart, Stillwater, Minn. (8/20/1992)**
  • Kaitlynn Miller, Craftsbury Common, Vt. (8/09/1991)
  • Caitlin Patterson, Anchorage, Alaska (1/30/1990)
  • Kikkan Randall, Anchorage, Alaska (12/31/1982) *
  • Ida Sargent, Orleans, VT (1/25/1988) *
  • Liz Stephen, East Montpelier, VT (1/12/1987) *

Men

  • Erik Bjornsen, Winthrop, Wash. (7/14/1991) *
  • Patrick Caldwell, Lyme Center, N.H. (2/18/1994)**
  • Simi Hamilton, Aspen, Colo., (5/14/1987) *
  • Logan Hanneman, Fairbanks, Alaska (6/02/1993)
  • Reese Hanneman, Anchorage, Alaska (12/25/1989)
  • Noah Hoffman, Aspen, Colo. (8/01/1989) * **
  • Tyler Kornfield, Anchorage, Alaska (2/09/1991)**
  • Andy Newell, Shaftsbury, Vt. (11/30/1983) *
  • Scott Patterson, Anchorage, Alaska (1/28/1992)

* Competed in past Olympics
** Selected via Coach Discretion

Cross Country Staff
Chris Grover, Cross Country Head Coach
Matt Whitcomb, Cross Country Coach
Jason Cork, Cross Country Coach
Oleg Ragilo, Head of Service
Jean-Pascal Laurin, Service Team
Marek Sander, Service Team
Andrew Morehouse, Service Team
Tim Baucom, Service Team
Eli Brown, Volunteer tech
Patrick Moore, Volunteer tech
Erik Flora, Volunteer coach and tech
Dr. Larry Gaul, Physician
Zuzana Rogers, Volunteer physical therapist
Steph McKeen, Volunteer massage therapist
Robert Lazzaroni, Cross country director

QUOTES
Chris Grover, Cross Country Head Coach

The U.S. Ski Team is headed to PyeongChang with one of the most talented and decorated Olympic Teams of all time. Never in our history have we fielded a team with so many podium-proven World Cup and World Championship athletes. We also have incredible momentum in this Olympic season with 10 World Cup podiums secured by early January. These USA Olympians have prepared extremely well for PyeongChang and are looking to rewrite U.S. cross country skiing history.

Jessie Diggins
We are heading into the Games with the strongest team we’ve ever had and I’m so proud of this team for all the hard work that has gone into making the Games. I’m really happy and excited to be representing Team USA again in South Korea!

Kikkan Randall
Five Olympics, wow! It’s such an incredible honor to be joining another U.S. Olympic Team. Being able to represent my country on the world’s biggest stage is always a big highlight that I look forward to every four years. I am especially excited about this team going into 2018 as the strongest cross country contingent I’ve ever been a part of. We have the potential for some great individual performances from multiple members of the team and I know we’re all really looking forward to being contenders in the relay events.

Sadie Bjornsen
It is a pretty unique and amazing experience to have my brother beside me. Erik and I have been working beside each other since we were young kids racing each other to the finish line. The Olympics were just a dream for us for so long and here we are in a whole new dream as we are headed to the Games with goals of winning Olympic medals! An enormous thank you to our family, friends, coaches, teams, sponsors and our community for helping us get to this point!

Our entire team has been racing at a higher level than normal so far this season, and I am so excited to see what we can put together for the big show. I know we are capable, now it is just a matter of putting those perfect days together. Let's see what this incredible Team USA can do!

Erik Bjornsen
There is no other skiing event that compares to the Olympics. It’s hard to describe how amazing it is to be a part of the team. After placing fifth in the team sprint in Sochi, I’m headed to PyeongChang to fight for a medal. It’s also very exciting to know my sister has a shot at a medal. I’m looking forward to watching her achieve a life-long dream.

Andy Newell
My fourth Olympic Games will be a memorable moment. I'm proud to have had such longevity competing in the sport I love but mostly proud of how far we have come as a team since my first Games in 2006. I will be beyond stoked to pull on the red, white, and blue uniform one more time and share in the collective energy and ambition our tightly knit cross-country crew will bring to PyeongChang.

The Road to PyeongChang Continues

By Megan Harrod
January, 25 2018
Steven Nyman
Steven Nyman skis during the Garmisch training run. (Getty Images/Agence Zoom-Christophe Pallot)

The excitement continues in Germany and Switzerland, after the U.S. Olympic Alpine Ski Team was announced Wednesday.

Olympic gold medalists Lindsey Vonn (Vail, Colo.), Mikaela Shiffrin (Eagle-Vail, Colo.) and Ted Ligety (Park City, Utah) will lead the men and women in a mix of tech and speed events this weekend.

After securing her 79th victory last weekend in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy and sharing the podium with Lindsey Vonn Foundation ambassador Jackie Wiles (Aurora, Ore.), Vonn will lead a group of six women into Lenzerheide starting with an alpine combined rescheduled from St. Moritz, Switzerland.

Shiffrin will sit the alpine combined out to rest and focus on the giant slalom and slalom on Saturday and Sunday. She continues to prove that she’s one of most dominant athletes in the world, showing her strength across disciplines and sharing the podium with teammate Vonn in Cortina for the first time ever last Friday in the downhill.

Shiffrin will go into the weekend with an 843-point lead in the overall race over Germany’s Viktoria Rebensburg, who is once again healthy and returned to competition in Kronplatz, Italy. She also leads the slalom standings, is second in the giant slalom standings and third in the downhill standings.

In Garmisch, Steven Nyman (Sundance, Utah) will face his demon this weekend on a track where he had a season-ending knee injury last season. Nyman has battled his way back through a grueling rehab process and returned to the Kandahar track two weeks ago to train. After Thursday’s training run, Nyman laughed, “When I came a couple of weeks ago, I wanted to be angry at the net, but I thought ‘Net, you’re fine – you saved my life. I should be mad at the jump!’”

The Kandahar track is dark, menacing and fast, but the American Downhillers had a good start to training on Thursday, led by the strong and consistent Bryce Bennett (Squaw Valley, Calif.) with the eighth-fastest time. Nyman admits the first training run was rough the entire ride, but will look to dial in some equipment issues in Friday’s training run prior to the downhill on Saturday. 

“It’s dense snow with a lot of bumps, and my skis weren’t reacting the way I wanted them to because my boots were too soft,” Nyman recalled. The jump where he crashed last year has not been built up as big, after he and others – including Frenchman Valentin Giraud Moine – sustained season-ending injuries. On Saturday, he’ll find the courage to hurl himself down that track – at speeds of up to 90 mph.

“Fortunately, I got to train here a couple of weeks ago with the German and Swiss, so that allowed me to step back into this area without having to deal with those thoughts today,” Nyman said. “So, I’ve already eliminated potential fear around that, but the biggest thing today was just the vision. It’s dark, which makes the Kandahar so challenging, so you have to really stay in a solid position, continually drive through the bumps and keep pushing.”

The American Downhillers celebrated their naming to the Olympic team in good company with a taste of home during their annual visit to the Garmisch military base, signing autographs for young fans and eating tacos with families at the base. This visit is a highlight of their season and comes at just the right time to reenergize them after the grueling run of chaos and overstimulation in Wengen, Switzerland and Kitzbuehel, Austria.

American Downhiller Garmisch Military Base VisitThe American Downhiller crew poses with children at the military base in Garmisch, Germany. (Manuel Dietrich)

On Sunday, Ligety will return to giant slalom after a solid training block in Folgaria, Italy with teammates Vonn and Andrew Weibrecht (Lake Placid, NY). Ligety has yet to land on the podium in the 2018 season but continues to build steadily towards PyeongChang. Austria’s powerhouse Marcel Hirscher – whom Olympic gold has eluded – must be aware that Ligety is about to strike. It’ll be a wild ride the next few weeks. Buckle up on the road to PyeongChang.

Steve Schlanger and U.S. Ski Team alumnus Will Brandenburg will call the action in the coming week. See who to watch and where to catch all the action below.

WOMEN’S STARTERS*
Lenzerheide, SUI

Alpine Combined, Giant Slalom, Slalom
Patricia Mangan
Megan McJames
Alice Merryweather
Nina O’Brien
Mikaela Shiffrin
Lindsey Vonn

MEN’S STARTERS*
Garmisch-Partenkirchen, GER

Downhill, Giant Slalom
Bryce Bennett
Tommy Biesemeyer
David Chodounsky
Ryan Cochran-Siegle
Tommy Ford
Jared Goldberg
Ted Ligety
Wiley Maple
Steven Nyman
Hig Roberts

*Final starters per event TBD

HOW TO WATCH
All times EST
Friday, Jan. 26

3:30 a.m. – Women’s alpine combined, super G run; Lenzerheide – Olympic Channel TV (LIVE)
6:15 a.m. – Women’s alpine combined, slalom run; Lenzerheide – Olympic Channel TV (LIVE)

Saturday, Jan. 27
3:45 a.m. – Women’s giant slalom, run 1; Lenzerheide – Olympic Channel TV (LIVE)
7:00 a.m. – Women’s giant slalom; Lenzerheide – NBCSN (LIVE)
5:15 a.m. – Men’s downhill; Garmisch – Olympic Channel TV (LIVE)
8:30 a.m. – Men’s downhill; Garmisch – NBCSN (same day delay)

Sunday, Jan. 28
3:30 a.m. – Women’s slalom, run 1; Lenzerheide – olympicchannel.com
4:30 a.m. – Men’s giant slalom, run 1; Garmisch-Partenkirchen –  olympicchannel.com
6:00 a.m. – Women’s slalom, run 2; Lenzerheide – NBCSN
7:30 a.m. – Men’s giant slalom, run 2; Garmisch-Partenkirchen – NBCSN

RESULTS
Men’s Training Run 1
Men's Training Run 2

START LISTS
Women’s Alpine Combined
Men's Downhill 

2018 U.S. OLYMPIC ALPINE SKI TEAM
Men's Alpine

  • Bryce Bennett, Squaw Valley, Calif. (7/14/1992)
  • Tommy Biesemeyer, Keene, N.Y. (1/30/1989)
  • David Chodounsky, Crested Butte, Colo. (6/25/1984)*
  • Ryan Cochran-Siegle, Starksboro, Vt. (3/27/1992)
  • Mark Engel, Truckee, Calif. (10/1/1991)
  • Tommy Ford, Bend, Ore. (3/20/1989)*
  • Jared Goldberg, Holladay, Utah (6/15/1991)*
  • Tim Jitloff, Reno, Nev. (1/11/1985)*
  • Nolan Kasper, Warren, Vt. (3/27/1989)*
  • Ted Ligety, Park City, Utah (8/31/1984)*
  • Wiley Maple, Aspen, Colo. (5/25/1990)
  • Steven Nyman, Sundance, Utah (2/12/1982)*
  • Andrew Weibrecht, Lake Placid, N.Y. (2/10/1986)*

Women’s Alpine

  • Stacey Cook, Mammoth Lakes, Calif. (7/3/1984)*
  • Breezy Johnson, Victor, Idaho (1/19/1996)
  • Megan McJames, Park City, Utah (9/24/1987)*
  • Alice McKennis, New Castle, Colo. (8/18/1989)*
  • Laurenne Ross, Bend, Ore. (8/17/1988)*
  • Mikaela Shiffrin, Eagle-Vail, Colo. (3/13/1995)*
  • Resi Stiegler, Jackson, Wyo. (11/14/1985)*
  • Lindsey Vonn, Vail, Colo. (10/18/1984)*
  • Jackie Wiles, Aurora, Ore. (7/13/1992)*

* Competed in past Olympic

U.S. Olympic Nordic Combined Team Announced

By U.S. Ski & Snowboard
January, 25 2018
2018 U.S. Olympic Nordic Combined Team
Bryan Fletcher will lead a team of five U.S. nordic combined skiers at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang. (U.S. Ski & Snowboard)

Olympic Trials winner Bryan Fletcher (Steamboat Springs, Colo.) will lead a team of five nordic combined skiers at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang. U.S. Ski & Snowboard today (Jan. 25) announced its selections for the 2018 U.S. Olympic Nordic Combined Team that will compete at the Games in PyeongChang beginning February 9. The selections will be confirmed by the United States Olympic Committee when it formally names Team USA this Friday (January 26).

Fletcher, a childhood cancer survivor who won his sport's prestigious King's Cup in 2011, earned his second Olympic Team spot as winner of the U.S. Olympic Team Trials Dec. 30. The remainder of the team qualified through World Cup and Continental Cup results.

"We are very happy we will have a full team at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games," said Nordic Combined Coach Martin Bayer. "It’s a relatively young team with great chemistry between them and a group of highly motivated athletes."

The opening is set for February 13 with two individual events and a team event on the Olympic program.

NBCUniversal will present more than 2,400 hours of coverage across NBC, NBCSN, CNBC, USA Network, NBCOlympics.com, and the NBC Sports app - the most ever for a Winter Olympics.

Team Facts

  • Olympic Trials winner Bryan Fletcher is a childhood cancer survivor. As a young boy, ski jumping on Steamboat Springs' Howelsen Hill was a vital distraction as he underwent treatment. 2018 is his second Olympics.
  • Brother Taylor Fletcher, who is known as one of his sport's best cross country skiers, will be making his third Olympic appearance.
  • Four of the team members came out of the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club, with Ben Loomis from the Flying Eagles Ski Club in Eau Claire, Wis.
  • Ben Loomis was a silver medalist in the Youth Olympic Games in 2016 at Lillehammer, Norway.

2018 U.S. Olympic Nordic Combined Team

  • Ben Berend, Steamboat Springs, Colo. (6/29/1995)
  • Bryan Fletcher, Steamboat Springs, Colo. (6/27/1986) *
  • Taylor Fletcher, Steamboat Springs, Colo. (5/11/1990) *
  • Jasper Good, Steamboat Springs, Colo. (5/10/1996)
  • Ben Loomis, Eau Claire, Wis. (6/09/1998)

* Competed in past Olympics

Staff
Martin Bayer, Head nordic combined coach

Quotes
Martin Bayer
We are very happy we will have a full team at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games. It’s a relatively young team with great chemistry between them and a group of highly motivated athletes. Bryan Fletcher is the oldest and brings the most experience on the international stage. It’s Taylor Fletcher’s third Olympics and he’s known as one of the fastest cross country skiers in nordic combined. Ben Loomis is the youngest with strength coming from the ski jumping side but I’m sure he’ll sure he’ll surprise us in cross country. It’s also the first Olympics for Jasper Good who has been one of our most consistent athletes and has a great attitude that will serve him well.

Taylor Fletcher
It is always a great honor to be representing my country and team at the sports highest level and I am very excited to be representing my country in my third Olympics. It wasn’t an easy road to get to the Olympics this year as I have had some struggles with jumping and have had some bad luck that made it challenging until the last weekend of qualifying. I would like to think I got that out of the way and I can focus now on performing at my highest level during the Games. The Olympics bring out the best from each athlete and no one will have it easy. That being said, with a good jump I feel like it is possible to have a chance at the medals. I am also really excited to be sharing this moment with my brother who will be competing in his second games. It is very unique that we get to share this moment together and fight for the medals together. Our entire team is looking forward to Korea and I am proud of each one of my teammates for their hard work and dedication to the sport!

Ben Loomis
I am extremely honored to be heading to PyeongChang and representing our country. The Olympics are something I have always dreamed of and to go at such a young age is extremely exciting. For me, the Olympics will be all about the experience. I am hoping to take it all in and use this experience in future. I look forward to sharing my first Olympic experience with Jasper Good as well as veterans Bryan and Taylor Fletcher.

U.S. Olympic Ski Jumping Team Announced

By U.S. Ski & Snowboard
January, 25 2018
2018 Olympic Ski Jumping Team
Sarah Hendrickson will lead a team of four men and three women at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games. (U.S. Ski & Snowboard)

Olympic ski jumping veteran Sarah Hendrickson (Park City, Utah) will lead a team of four men and three women at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games. U.S. Ski & Snowboard Thursday (Jan. 25) announced its selections for the 2018 U.S. Olympic Ski Jumping Team that will compete at the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018 beginning February 9. The selections will be confirmed by the United States Olympic Committee when it formally names Team USA this Friday (January 26).

Hendrickson and Michael Glasder (Cary, Ill.) earned their spots as winners of the Olympic Trials Dec. 31. The remainder of the team qualified through World Cup results

"It's exciting to see an entire group of first time Olympians head to South Korea," said Men's Jumping Director Clint Jones. "It was great to see Mike Glasder secure his spot at the Olympic Trials. The other three athletes are young and making quick progress in the sport. Even though they are relatively inexperienced, we are hoping for big things."

"Going into the second Olympic Winter Games in history for the ladies, I am excited to see two first-time Olympians join the team alongside veteran Sarah Hendrickson," said Women's Jumping Director Alan Alborn. "Nita Englund and Abby Ringquist are both competing for their first time in the Olympics and have been working hard to secure that opportunity for many seasons." 

The opening is set for February 9. Men's ski jumping has its normal hill qualifying round a day earlier, on Thursday, February 8. The first medal event is Saturday, February 10. The women will have one jumping event on the normal hill on Monday, February 12.

TEAM FACTS

  • Sarah Hendrickson is the only ski jumping athlete with Olympic experience. She jumped number one in the women's debut at Sochi in 2014.
  • Hendrickson, Abby Ringquist and Will Rhoads are products of the 2002 Olympic Legacy, growing up in the shadow of the ski jumps in Park City, Utah.
  • Olympic Trials winner Michael Glasder and Kevin Bickner both came out of the Norge Ski Club in the northwest suburbs of Chicago - one of America's oldest clubs dating back to the early 1900s.
  • Kevin Bickner set a new U.S. distance record in 2017 soaring 244.5 meters
  • The men are jumping this weekend in Zakopane, Poland with the women competing in a World Cup at their European training base of Ljubno, Slovenia.

2018 U.S. OLYMPIC SKI JUMPING TEAM

Men

  • Kevin Bickner, Wauconda, Ill. (9/23/1996)
  • Michael Glasder, Cary, Ill. (3/27/1989)
  • Casey Larson, Barrington, Ill. (12/16/1998)
  • Will Rhoads, Park City, Utah (6/08/1995)

Women

  • Nita Englund, Florence, Wis. (6/10/1992)
  • Sarah Hendrickson, Park City, Utah (8/01/1994) *
  • Abby Ringquist, Park City, Utah (6/21/1989)

* Competed in past Olympics 

Staff
Clint Jones, Men's Jumping Director
Alan Alborn, Women's Jumping Director
Bine Norčič, Men's International Coach
Igor Cuznar, Women's International Coach

QUOTES
Clint Jones, Men's Head Coach

It's exciting to see an entire men’s group of first-time Olympians head to South Korea. It was great to see Mike Glasder secure his spot at the Olympic Trials. He has narrowly missed the Olympic team in the past, but has put in some great work over the past couple years and taken big steps forward.  The other three athletes are young and making quick progress in the sport.  Even though they are relatively inexperienced, we are hoping for big things.  Kevin Bickner started the season a little slow, but is getting back to his best form. Training has been going well and with a solid performance we know he can be right up there with the best in the world. We are also looking to continue to improve in the team event. At the end of last year, our team was seventh in the final team event in Planica and we would like to see the guys continue to build on that. The team event is a good indication of the strength of the group and direction of our program.

Alan Alborn, Women's Head Coach
Going into the second Olympic Winter Games in history for the ladies, I am excited to see two first time Olympians join the team alongside veteran Sarah Hendrickson. Sarah surprised everyone during the Olympic Trials with two of the most competitive jumps she has executed since 2013. Nita Englund and Abby Ringquist are both competing for their first time in the Olympics and have been working hard to secure that opportunity for many seasons. Although this season has not gone they way we had hoped, we are optimistic and you never know in ski jumping what can happen.

Kevin Bickner
It’s been a childhood dream of mine ever since I started skiing and now that it’s finally happening it’s surreal. I’m really excited to finally be named to the team. My goal is to do everything right and have good jumps. I want to jump 100% to my potential. I know if I do this then a good result can come from it and I hope to surprise America.

Will Rhoads
I am excited and honored to be a part of Team USA for the upcoming 2018 Winter Olympics! I’m really looking forward to competing at the highest level and experiencing all that the games has to offer.

Casey Larson
For a long time making the Olympic Team was merely a goal. Before last winter, 2022 seemed like more the reality but all of a sudden a few things got figured out and I started jumping really well. I am extremely honored to be on the team and now the focus is on really enjoying the experience and getting some great results. For me, personally, I know what it took to get to this point. This winter has had its ups and downs already and now I feel like as a team we can start to focus on achieving some goals that we’ve had in our heads for awhile.

Nita Englund
I'm really happy on qualifying for the Olympic Team. It has been a lifelong goal. There was a lot of work from me, but also a lot of support from teammates, coaches, friends and family. It will take a few days for the emotions to settle, but it certainly means a lot to me.

Abby Ringquist
I am overwhelmed with excitement and I really can’t believe my dream is finally coming true. I am an Olympian! Since watching the 1994 Olympics when I was five, I knew I wanted to be an Olympian when I grew up, not knowing which sport could take me there. I’ve heard a lot of ‘no’s’ throughout my 21-year long career, from not being allowed in 2006 and 2010, to missing out on 2014 Games. I almost hung my skis up four years ago, but I put my head down and worked harder than I ever have. It brings me to tears knowing all of the hard times and hard work are paying off. I can’t wait to represent my country and I hope that I can perform my best and make my nation, my community, my family and my friends proud.

Final Olympic Preparation For U.S. Athletes This Weekend

By U.S. Ski & Snowboard
January, 25 2018
Bryce-Bennett-Garmisch-1-25-18
Bryce Bennett finished eighth in Thursday's downhill training run in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. (Getty Images/Agence Zoom - Christophe Pallot)

Two weeks to go until the Opening Ceremonies of the 2018 Olympic Winter Games and athletes are completing their final preparations with events from Aspen to Austria and points in between. Catch all the action this weekend on the networks of NBCUniversal, including NBCSN, the NBC Sports app and The Olympic Channel - Home of Team USA!

FIS Women’s Ski World Cup -  Lenzerheide, SUI
The women’s World Cup tour stops in Lenzerheide for alpine combined, giant slalom and slalom races Jan. 26-18. 2018 Olympic Team members Lindsey Vonn (Vail, Colo.), Mikaela Shiffrin (Eagle-Vail, Colo.), Stacey Cook (Mammoth Lakes, Calif.) and Breezy Johnson (Victor, Idaho) are all expected to race throughout the weekend.
Women’s alpine combined start list

FIS Men’s Ski World Cup - Garmisch-Partenkirchen, GER
The U.S. Ski Team men’s alpine squad is out in full force this weekend for giant slalom and downhill races in Garmisch. Olympic team members Ted Ligety (Park City, Utah), Tommy Ford (Bend, Ore.), Steven Nyman (Sundance, Utah) and Bryce Bennett (Squaw Valley, Calif.) are on the roster to compete. This will be the first time Nyman has skied the Garmisch downhill since suffering a knee injury there last season.
Thursday’s Downhill training results

FIS Cross Country World Cup - Seefeld, AUT
The U.S. Cross Country Ski Team is in the Austrian mountain village of Seefeld this weekend for a test of the 2019 World Championships venue. Saturday opens with a freestyle sprint then a mass start freestyle distance race Sunday. It’s the final World Cup before the team heads to PyeongChang. U.S. Ski & Snowboard is expected to announce the full Olympic Team later on Thursday. Olympic team members Jessie Diggins (Afton, Minn.), Sadie Bjornsen (Winthrop, Wash.), Simi Hamilton (Aspen, Colo.), Andy Newell (Shaftsbury, Vt.) and others will compete in sprint and 10k/15k races before entering their pre-Olympic training camp.

FIS Women’s Ski Jumping World Cup - Ljubno, SLO
FIS Men’s Ski Jumping World Cup - Zakopane, POL

The men’s World Cup tour heads to Zakopane, Poland this weekend while the women compete at their European training base in Ljubno, Slovenia – each with competitions Saturday and Sunday. It’s the final women’s competition before the Olympics with the men in Willingen, Germany just prior to heading to PyeongChang. 

FIS Nordic Combined World Cup -  Seefeld, AUT
The Seefeld Triple World Cup gets underway Friday featuring three straight days of competition. The event will be a test for the 2019 World Championships. The team then heads to Hakuba, Japan for a weekend World Cup on the way into PyeongChang. U.S. Ski & Snowboard is expected to announce the full Olympic Team later on Thursday.

FIS Snowboard World Cup - Bansko, BUL
Snowboardcross riders are headed to Bulgaria to compete in the 2017-18 FIS Snowboard World Cup season's seventh SBX event which will be staged as a sprint race in Bansko Saturday. Leading the way for the USA are Olympic team members Nick Baumgartner (Iron River, Mich.), Mick Deirdorf (Steamboat Springs, Colo.), Hagen Kearney (Telluride, Colo.), Rosie Mancari (Anchorage, Alaska) and Meghan Tierney (Edwards, Colo.).

X Games Aspen
Top U.S. Snowboard Team and U.S. Freeski Team athletes are back in Aspen, Colorado this week looking to land some X Games medals before going for medals in PyeongChang. Many members of the newly named Olympic teams are expected to compete including David Wise (Reno, Nev.), Chloe Kim (Torrence, Calif.), Jamie Anderson (S. Lake Tahoe, Calif.) and Red Gerard (Silverthorne, Colo.). Fans can follow the action at xgames.espn.com.

Olympic Team
The U.S. Olympic Committee will formally unveil the entire Team USA lineup on Friday at 1:00 p.m. EST. U.S. Ski & Snowboard has announced alpine, freeski, freestyle and snowboard teams. Cross country, nordic combined and ski jumping are on tap for later on Thursday.
U.S. Olympic Alpine Team
U.S. Olympic Freeski Team
U.S. Olympic Freestyle Team
U.S. Olympic Ski Jumping Team 

U.S. Olympic Snowboard Team

HOW TO WATCH
All times EST
*schedules subject to change

ALPINE
Jan. 26

4:00 a.m. – Women’s alpine combined, run 1; Lenzerheide – olympicchannel.com
9:30 a.m. – Women’s alpine combined, run 2; Lenzerheide – olympicchannel.com

Jan. 27
4:15 a.m. – Women’s giant slalom, run 1; Lenzerheide – olympicchannel.com
5:45 a.m. – Men’s Downhill; Garmisch-Partenkirchen –  olympicchannel.com
7:00 a.m. – Women’s giant slalom, run 2; Lenzerheide – NBCSN
8:30 a.m. – Men’s Downhill; Garmisch-Partenkirchen – NBCSN (same day coverage)

Jan. 28
3:30 a.m. – Women’s slalom, run 1; Lenzerheide – olympicchannel.com
4:30 a.m. – Men’s giant slalom, run 1; Garmisch-Partenkirchen –  olympicchannel.com
6:00 a.m. – Women’s slalom, run 2; Lenzerheide – NBCSN
7:30 a.m. – Men’s giant slalom, run 2; Garmisch-Partenkirchen – NBCSN

CROSS COUNTRY
Jan. 27

7:45 a.m. – Men and women’s sprint; Seefeld – olympicchannel.com
10:00 a.m. – Men and women’s sprint; Seefeld – NBCSN

Jan. 28
5:20 a.m. – Men's 15km mass start; Seefeld – olympicchannel.com
8:30 a.m. – Women's 10k mass start; Seefeld – olympicchannel.com
11:00 a.m. – Women's 10k mass start; Seefeld – NBCSN (same day coverage)

SKI JUMPING
Jan. 26

12:00 p.m. –  Men's HS 140 qualification; Zakopane – olympicchannel.com

Jan. 27
8:00 a.m. –  Women’s HS94; Ljubno – olympicchannel.com
10:00 a.m. –  Men's team HS 140; Zakopane – olympicchannel.com
4:00 p.m. –  Women’s HS94; Ljubno – olympicchannel.com (same day coverage)
5:30 p.m. –  Men's team HS 140; Zakopane – olympicchannel.com (same day coverage)

Jan. 28
8:00 a.m. –  Women’s HS94; Ljubno – olympicchannel.com
10:00 a.m. –  Men's HS 140; Zakopane – olympicchannel.com
4:00 p.m. –  Women’s HS94; Ljubno – olympicchannel.com (same day coverage)
5:30 p.m. –  Men's HS 140; Zakopane – olympicchannel.com (same day coverage)

NORDIC COMBINED
Jan. 26

8:00 a.m. – Gundersen NH HS 109; Seefeld – olympicchannel.com
10:10 a.m. – Individual 5k; Seefeld – olympicchannel.com

Jan. 27
8:00 a.m. – Gundersen NH HS 109; Seefeld – olympicchannel.com
9:45 a.m. – Individual 10k; Seefeld – olympicchannel.com

Jan. 28
6:30 a.m. – Gundersen NH HS 109; Seefeld – olympicchannel.com
9:30 a.m. – Individual 15k; Seefeld – olympicchannel.com

SNOWBOARD
Jan. 26

5:30 a.m. – Parallel giant slalom; Blansko – olympicchannel.com
4:00 p.m. – Toyota U.S. Grand Prix slopestyle; Mammoth – NBCSN (re-air of Jan. 20 event)

Jan. 27
5:30 a.m. – Snowboardcross; Blansko – olympicchannel.com
11:00 a.m. – Toyota U.S. Grand Prix halfpipe; Mammoth – NBCSN (re-air of Jan. 21 event)

Jan. 28
7:00 a.m. – Parallel slalom; Blansko – olympicchannel.com