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)

Every summer, many of the Alpine National teams get back on snow to start their season in the Southern hemisphere. Masters also get their on snow training started AND kick off the FIS Masters Cup race season in the Southern hemisphere! The 2024 South American FIS Masters Cup event was held at Catedral Alta Patagonia in Bariloche, Argentina.

To make the most of the long trip, for many years, former USSA Alpine Masters Manager, Bill Skinner, ran a camp prior to the South American races. The camp was open to USA racers and their international competitors with a FIS Masters license. Even at the FIS level, spending time on and off the snow with your competitors is a key component of the Masters experience. When Bill retired, Lisa Ballard eagerly took up the charge to continue the tradition of the South American race camp. Big thanks to Lisa for her work to make the camp available for the Masters community!

For 2024, the camp included 6 days of training before 3 days of competition. The schedule was maximized to include 6 races over the 3 days of competition. As always, mother nature had a say and after 8 days of great training and racing, the SL and AC were cancelled on the last day due to 100km winds. Check out the South American Masters Camp Bariloche 2024 Recap Video and mark your calendars for early September next summer! It's sure to be a trip you won't forget!

See the full results at https://www.fis-ski.com/DB/masters/calendar-results.html