ALTENMARKT-ZAUCHENSEE, Austria (Jan. 11, 2017) – Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO) plans to return to the Audi FIS Ski World Cup circuit this weekend, racing in the Altenmarkt-Zauchensee downhill. Vonn has been recovering from a fracture in her upper right arm, which she suffered after a training crash at Copper Mountain, CO in November. She has been out of the World Cup circuit since February, when she fractured her left tibial plateau while racing in Soldeu-El Tarter, Andorra.

“Words cannot describe how excited I am to be returning to the slopes this week," Vonn told Eurosport. "It’s been a tough three months with over 300 hours of rehabilitation but being able to go fast and compete again makes all of the hard work with it."

Altenmarkt-Zauchensee is a special place to Vonn, who tied the World Cup downhill win record in front of Annemarie Moser-Proell last season.

I'm so excited to be racing this weekend!!! https://t.co/3GWPfVMHtF

— lindsey vonn (@lindseyvonn) January 11, 2017

FLACHAU, Austria (Jan. 10, 2017) – Mikaela Shiffrin (Eagle-Vail, CO) rebounded from a disappointing first run to land on the podium in a tie for third Tuesday night under the lights at the Audi FIS Ski World Cup slalom.

Sweden’s Frida Hansdotter, the defending World Cup slalom champion, won her first slalom of the season by 0.58 over Norway’s Nina Loeseth in second, while Shiffrin and Switzerland’s Wendy Holdener tied for third, 0.78 back.

Mikaela Shiffrin scored another podium result in Tuesday night's slalom in Flachau, Austria. (Getty Images/AFP-Johann Groder)

“I just didn’t ski fast, and that’s pretty much it,” Shiffrin said after her first run. “There are a lot of things … it’s easy to lose that kind of time if you ski a couple of turns a little bit tentative. So I have to try harder.”

With an angry look of determination in her eyes, Shiffrin blazed the second run, posting the fastest time to move atop the leaderboard. However, her first run deficit was just too much to overcome to reach the top step of the podium.

“The second run, I definitely went for it,” Shiffrin said. “I’m happy to be on the podium with that, but I have to say congratulations to Frida. I’m really happy for her. She skied amazing and it was really fun to watch.”

Aside from the Stockholm, Sweden, City Event Jan. 31, Flachau was the final traditional World Cup slalom event prior to next month’s World Championships in St. Moritz, Switzerland. So now Shiffrin has her eyes on this weekend’s World Cup super combined (super G and slalom) in Altenmarkt-Zauchensee, Austria to fine-tune her form.

“I think that I want to go to (Altenmarkt-Zauchensee) anyway since it’s a super combined and I’ll be training slalom for that,” she said. “After the first run today, I want to get back in slalom gates and try to get my feeling back.”

Resi Stiegler finished 15^th Tuesday in Flachau, Austria at the Audi FIS Ski World Cup slalom. (Getty Images/Agency Zoom- Christophe Pallot)

Resi Stiegler (Jackson Hole, WY) also struggled in her first run, finishing 20^th.  She rebounded in her second run, grabbing the 10^th fastest second run to finish 15^th overall. Lila Lapanja (Truckee, CA), Megan McJames (Park City, UT) and Keely Cashman (Strawberry, CA) did not qualify for the second run.

Up next, the women’s compete in downhill Saturday and super combined Sunday in Altenmarkt-Zauchensee, Austria. Both events will be live on NBCSports.com.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Mikaela Shiffrin tied for third in Tuesday evening’s Audi FIS Ski World Cup slalom in Flachau, Austria.
• Resi Stiegler had the 10th fastest second run and finished 15th.
• Sweden’s Frida Hansdotter, the defending World Cup slalom champion, won her fourth World Cup slalom race.
• Stockholm, Sweden, hosts a City Event which counts toward the World Cup slalom standings on Jan. 31.
• Road to Aspen: Shiffrin extended her overall World Cup lead (1,008 points) over Switzerland’s Lara Gut (643), who did finish the first run Tuesday. Shiffrin also leads the overall World Cup slalom standings with 560 points over Veronika Velez Zuzulova with 435 points.

QUOTES
Mikaela Shiffrin
I just didn’t ski fast, and that’s pretty much it. It’s easy to lose that kind of time if you ski a couple of turns a little bit tentative. So I have to try harder.

The second run, I definitely went for it. I’m happy to be on the podium with that, but I have to say congratulations to Frida. I’m really happy for her. She skied amazing and it was really fun to watch.

[On competing in this weekend’s alpine combined event]
I think that I want to go to (Altenmarkt-Zauchensee) anyway since it’s a super combined and I’ll be training slalom for that … and we have quite a bit of time before the next slalom. After the first run today, I want to get back in slalom gates and try to get my feeling back.

BROADCAST & LIVE STREAM (all times EST)
Tuesday, Jan. 10
10:00 p.m. – women’s slalom, Flachau - Universal HD

Saturday, Jan. 14
4:45 a.m. – women’s downhill, Altenmarkt-Zauchensee – nbcsports.com – LIVE STREAM

Sunday, Jan. 15
3:30 a.m. – women’s super combined super G, run 1, Altenmarkt-Zauchensee – nbcsports.com – LIVE STREAM
6:15 a.m. – women’s super combined slalom, run 2, Altenmarkt-Zauchensee – nbcsports.com – LIVE STREAM

RESULTS
Women’s slalom

ADELBODEN, Switzerland (Jan. 8, 2017) – David Chodounsky (Crested Butte, CO) was the best U.S. racer of the day, taking 12th place through tough conditions at the Audi FIS Ski World Cup slalom in Adelboden. Michael Ankeny (Deephaven, MN) and Mark Engel (Truckee, CA) grabbed top-30 spots to score points.

The weather was inconsistent at Adelboden, with heavy fog rolling through for many of the racers. However, it didn’t seem to bother Norwegian Henrik Kristoffersen, who built a huge lead second run to take the win by 1.83 seconds. Manfred Moelgg of Italy was second, while Marcel Hirscher of Austria was third.  

Chodousnky was eighth after first run, but had a tough second run with fog and ruts. "I’m actually a little bit disappointed with today, even though it’s my best result of the season," said Chodounsky. "I’ll take it, but I left a lot out there ... You gotta fight and earn everything on the World Cup. It’s not given to you at all."

Ankeny, who had scored his first World Cup points at Adelboden last season, was excited about making the points, taking 23rd place. But he's looking for more this season, and knows he can put two runs down to achieve a better result. "I’m super excited to get back in the points," said Ankeny. "I had kind of a tough December with some injuries to my hip, but came back after the new year super refreshed and ready to go. I think seeing that my teammates Mark Engel and AJ Ginnis pop it in there, really helped me – because we’re all really close in training and so it makes it really feasible."

Earlier this week, Engel skied from bib 45 to third place in the first run of the Zagreb night slalom. While he crashed second run, Engel got a glimpse of the top and is continuing to attack. "I’m pretty stoked to make it down two runs in a row, but I’m still unsatisfied," said Engel, who finished 24th and scored his first World Cup points. "I think that I can do better than that. I wasn’t holding back to finish, but this hill is really steep and I’m a lot more comfortable on flats. It was just a little intimidating, but I was trying to go full gas."

The men’s team now heads to Wengen for an alpine combined, downhill and slalom this week.

HIGHLIGHTS

• David Chodounsky was 12th - his best result of the season so for and his third top-20 slalom finish this season.
• Michael Ankeny finished 23rd to earn his first points of the season. He grabbed his career-first World Cup points here last season.
• Mark Engel scored his career-first World Cup points, taking 24th.
• AJ Ginnis (Vouliagmeni, Greece) and Robby Kelley (Starksboro, VT) did not qualify for second run. Hig Roberts (Steamboat Springs, CO) did not finish first run.
• Road to Aspen: With a third-place finish, Marcel Hirscher continues to lead in the overall hunt. While Hirscher led the slalom standings coming into today, Henrik Kristoffersen’s win matched Hirscher’s total points score. The two stand tied.

QUOTES

David Chodounsky
First run was really good, I’m happy with that. Second run – not as happy with. I’m actually a little bit disappointed with today, even though it’s my best result of the season. I’ll take it, but I left a lot out there. I’m skiing well. We have a lot of slaloms in a row now, which is great. I'll keep the momentum going next week in Wengen. It’s tough. It’s a grind. You gotta fight and earn everything on the World Cup. It’s not given to you at all. I’m happy. I skied really well first run. All in all, a good day. I’ll take it.

Michael Ankeny
I’m super excited to get back in the points. I had kind of a tough December with some injuries to my hip, but came back after the new year super refreshed and ready to go. I think seeing that my teammates Mark Engel and AJ Ginnis pop it in there, really helped me – because we’re all really close in training and so it makes it really feasible. [Adelboden] is really suiting to me. The top part is not the hardest, so you can really push it there. And then it’s really steep, so if you attack, you can have a fast run. The environment here is pretty awesome. The fans are all going crazy, especially for the Swiss.

Mark Engel 
I’m pretty stoked to make it down two runs in a row, but I’m still unsatisfied. I think that I can do better than that. I wasn’t holding back to finish, but this hill is really steep and I’m a lot more comfortable on flats. It was just a little intimidating, but I was trying to go full gas.

RESULTS
Men’s slalom

MARIBOR, Slovenia (Jan. 8, 2017) – Mikaela Shiffrin (Eagle-Vail, CO) skied to her 24^th career slalom victory Sunday at the Audi FIS Ski World Cup, and extended her overall World Cup lead to more than 300 points.

Shiffrin, who took a 0.17 first run lead over Switzerland’s Wendy Holdener, powered through the second run to win her 27^th career World Cup race. Holdener finished second as Sweden’s Frida Hansdotter was third.

Mikaela Shiffrin scored her 24th career Audi FIS Ski World Cup slalom victory in Maribor Sunday. (Getty Images/AFP-Jure Makovec)

Shiffrin, like a number of skiers before her in the second run, battled not only a tough, grippy course, but also numerous broken gates. Midway down the course, she broke a gate that got caught up between her legs. But without missing a beat, she powered through the obstacle, carrying her speed through to victory.

“I saw a lot of gates were breaking when I was watching the other girls and I thought that probably it would happen for me as well, and it did,” Shiffrin said. “But with everyone else, it seemed the (broken) gate went out of the way. But for me, it kept getting stuck on my skis and boots. It was a bit distracting, but I don’t think it cost me too much.”

With the win, Shiffrin has a 305-point lead over Switzerland’s Lara Gut, who did not qualify for the second run Sunday.

“As a kid, I dreamed about being the best in the world at all the different events, so this is another step in the right direction to be performing well in two events at least,” said Shiffrin, who also leads the overall World Cup slalom standings with 500 points. “In my career, one of the goals I want to accomplish is the (World Cup) overall. I don’t know if it will happen this year, but eventually that will be a big goal for me.”

Resi Stiegler finished 20^th in Sunday’s Audi FIS Ski World Cup slalom in Maribor. (Getty Images/Agence Zoom-Christophe Pallot)

Resi Stiegler (Jackson, WY) continued her solid World Cup slalom season, finishing 20^th.  Megan McJames (Park City, UT) and Lila Lapanja (Incline Village, NV) did not qualify for the second run.

Up next, the ladies compete in a night slalom Tuesday in Flachau. 

HIGHLIGHTS

• Mikaela Shiffrin won her 24th career World Cup slalom Sunday and her 27th career World Cup.
• Resi Stiegler finished 20th.
• Road to Aspen: Shiffrin holds a 305-point lead in the overall World Cup standings over Lara Gut of Switzerland. Shiffrin also leads the overall World Cup slalom standings with 500 points after winning five of six events this season.
• Next, the tech women head to Flachau, Austria for a night slalom. 

QUOTES
Mikaela Shiffrin
As a kid, I dreamed about being the best in the world at all the different events, so this is another step in the right direction to be performing well in two at least.

I saw a lot of gates were breaking when I was watching the other girls and I thought that probably it would happen for me as well, and it did. With everybody else, it seemed the (broken) gate went out of the way, but for me, it kept getting stuck on my skis and boots. It was a bit distracting, but I don’t think it cost me too much. I was focused and continued to finish the course.

In my career, one of the goals I want to accomplish is the (World Cup) overall. I don’t know if it will happen this year, but eventually that will be a big goal for me.

RESULTS
Women’s slalom

ADELBODEN, Switzerland (Jan. 7, 2017) – Battling a tough course and flat light, Tommy Ford (Bend, OR) was the top American finisher at the Adelboden giant slalom, taking 19th place.

Alexis Pinturault took his 19th Audi FIS Ski World Cup win, making him the most successful French skier of all time—over the famed Jean-Claude Killy. Marcel Hirscher of Italy put down a blazing second run, but finished second overall, just .04 seconds behind Pinturault. Hirscher’s teammate Philipp Schoerghofer was third.

Hirscher’s result brought him to 100 World Cup podiums—level with Marc Girardelli’s podium count—making him the second most successful skier in history, behind Ingemar Stenmark.

The Americans skied well, with Ford and Brennan Rubie (Salt Lake City, UT) sitting 13th and 14th respectively after the first run. Though course set and flat light hindered them second run, both grabbed points from the day.

“I thought I skied well,” said Ford of his run. “It’s dark light and I was moving well through most of the course. I had a hard time generating on that set and on the bottom, it’s just getting used to it. It’s definitely a challenging bottom section, but I’m happy to have more time on it and get points.”

Behind Ford, Rubie scored his first giant slalom points, finishing in 24th. “I was pretty happy with the way it turned out,” said Rubie, who referenced the tough light, but acknowledged that he made a few mistakes. “It was more just my skiing and I have a ways to go, but I’m happy with getting my first points in GS.”

The men race slalom next at Adelboden to wrap up the weekend.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Tommy Ford was the top U.S. finisher in 19th.
• Brennan Rubie took his first giant slalom points in 24th.
• Ryan Cochran-Siegle (Starksboro, VT) did not qualify for second run.
• Hig Roberts (Steamboat Springs, CO), who recently won a NorAm GS in Vermont, made his return to the World Cup, but did not finish first run. David Chodounsky (Crested Butte, CO) also DNFed first run.
• Ted Ligety (Park City, UT) has been battling back pain and decided to sit out the race. Tim Jitloff (Park City, UT) also did not start.
• Road to Aspen: Marcel Hirscher continues to lead the overall hunt with 833 points, but Pinturault continues to add points, moving up to second place in the overall ahead of Kjetil Jansrud of Norway. The two also sit 1-2 in the giant slalom standings.
• Next, the men race slalom at Adelboden on Sunday.

QUOTES

Tommy Ford
I thought I skied well. It’s dark light and I was moving well through most of the course. I had a hard time generating on that set and on the bottom, it’s just getting used to it. It’s definitely a challenging bottom section, but I’m happy to have more time on it and get points. (The light was) pretty flat. You can’t see any of those micro-terrains. You see people getting their feet thrown up and there are some little crossruts in there. It’s all feel. You just have to have a good inspection.

Brennan Rubie
I was pretty happy with the way it turned out. I think I skied well on top and I had a mistake. I’m not really sure—it all happened so fast—so I gotta watch some video and see what I can do next time. First run helped a lot—the light was flat and I got used to it. I made a lens switch and I was better. It was more just my skiing and I have a ways to go, but I’m happy with getting my first points in GS.

RESULTS
Men’s giant slalom

BROADCAST & LIVE STREAM (all times EST)
Sunday, Jan. 8
4:30 a.m. – men’s slalom, run 1 – nbcsports.com – LIVE STREAM
6:00 a.m. – men’s slalom, run 2 – nbcsports.com and NBCSN - LIVE

MARIBOR, Slovenia (Jan. 7, 2017) – Mikaela Shiffrin (Eagle-Vail, CO) charged to her 12^th career top-five giant slalom result, finishing fourth in Saturday’s Audi FIS Ski World Cup. Tessa Worley of France won ahead of Italy’s Sofia Goggia in second and Swiss Lara Gut in third.

Shiffrin took a slim 0.07 first run lead over Goggia on a straight course set. On the second run, she charged the middle section of the course – grabbing a 0.13-second lead at the second split – but wasn’t able to carry her speed through to the finish.

“It was a super fast course and I didn’t quite match the speed that I was carrying,” Shiffrin said. “I’m still learning, so all in all, it’s not a terrible day.”

Shiffrin continues to lead the overall World Cup standings with 848 points. Gut is second with 643 points, followed by Worley in third with 563 points. With her 11^th World Cup giant slalom victory Saturday, including her third this season, Worley increased her overall World Cup giant slalom lead to 85 points over Shiffrin.

Resi Stiegler (Jackson WY) and Megan McJames (Park City, UT) did not qualify for the second run Saturday.

Up next, the ladies compete in slalom Sunday in Maribor. Watch it live on NBCSN, and via live stream on nbcsports.com.

“The surface is awesome and I’m excited to ski some slalom,” said Shiffrin, who leads the overall World Cup slalom standings by just 10 points over Slovakia’s Veronika Velez Zuzulova.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Mikaela Shiffrin finished fourth in Saturday’s Audi FIS Ski World Cup giant slalom.
• Tessa Worley of France won her 11^th World Cup giant slalom race Saturday.
• Road to Aspen: Switzerland’s Lara Gut finished third Saturday to slightly close in on Mikaela Shiffrin’s overall World Cup lead, which is now 205 points ahead of Gut. Worley leads the overall giant slalom standings by 85 points over Shiffrin.

QUOTES
Mikaela Shiffrin
It was a super fast course and I didn’t quite match the speed that I was carrying. I’m still learning, so all in all, it’s not a terrible day.

The surface is awesome and I’m excited to ski some slalom.

BROADCAST AND LIVE STREAMING (times EST)
Sunday, Jan. 8
3:15 a.m. – Maribor women’s slalom – run 1 – nbcsports.com – LIVE STREAM
6:00 a.m.  – Maribor women’s slalom – LIVE on NBCSN and LIVE STREAM

RESULTS
Women’s giant slalom

MARIBOR, Slovenia (Jan. 6, 2017) – Old Man Winter has finally arrived in Europe, and he’s been bringing snow, wind and cold temperatures across Europe. And so, the Audi FIS Ski World Cup tech train rolls from the Zagreb station onward to Maribor for the women and Adelboden, Switzerland for the men.

The women will race a giant slalom and slalom this weekend in Maribor, then the iconic night slalom on Tuesday in Flachau, while the men now travel to Adelboden for one of the tour's classic GS/SL weekends. Fans can catch all of the action live on NBCSN on both Saturday and Sunday, and via live stream on nbcsports.com.

Mikaela Shiffrin (Eagle-Vail, CO) has won the last two World Cup giant slalom races, both held in Semmering, Austria. Prior to that, her last GS win was in October 2014 at Soelden, Austria. She’s been on a tech roll, winning four of the last five tech events (two slalom races, two giant slalom races), and she’ll look to carry that fire into the weekend.

With 26 World Cup victories now under her belt, this weekend Shiffrin could quite possibly equal Phil Mahre in third place all time among American skiers – both men and women – by winning her 27^th. Only teammates Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO) with 76 and Bode Miller (Franconia, NH) with 33, have won more.

The fiery-hot and effervescent Resi Stiegler (Jackson, WY) is coming off her best result since 2012, finishing seventh in Zagreb’s night slalom. Megan McJames (Park City, UT) scored her career-first slalom World Cup points, and of these ladies will seek more in both disciplines.

U.S. born, but with dual citizenship with Slovenia, Lila Lapanja (Incline Village, NV) inherited her love for skiing from dad and former Slovenian National Team skier Vojko Lapanja. She’ll be skiing in front of her Slovenian family this weekend in Maribor, and then it’s onward to Flachau, where she scored her career-first World Cup points last season.

On the men’s side, notably missing will be Olympic Champion and five-time World Cup giant slalom champion Ted Ligety (Park City, UT), who has been struggling with back pain and has decided to sit this one out as he weighs his options for long-term solutions.

The men’s team will be led by veteran Tim Jitloff (Reno, NV), Tommy Ford (Bend, OR) and Ryan Cochran-Siegle (Starksboro, VT) in giant slalom, and David Chodounsky (Crested Butte, CO) in slalom. The entire tech team has shown solid results, with the younger guys stepping up and showing promise.

Keep an eye on AJ Ginnis (Vouliagmeni, Greece) and Mark Engel (Truckee, CA), who have both been skiing strong in recent World Cup action. Engel posted the third-fastest time in Zagreb’s first run before straddling just before the finish on the second run. Each of the slalom guys have been trading fastest run times in training, so Ginnis’ and Engel’s fast skiing has given them confidence that they can stick it in there.

Road to Aspen Audi FIS Ski World Cup Finals
Austria's Marcel Hirscher and Shiffrin each continue to hold strong leads in the overall Audi FIS Ski World Cup. They will remain on top through this weekend's technical races on both tours, before the schedule moves over to several weekends of speed racing including the possible return of Vonn. Switzerland’s Lara Gut sits in second, 215 points behind Shiffrin – who will have three chances to extend her lead this weekend. The battle for World Cup crystal globes will conclude in Aspen this March with the Audi FIS Ski World Cup Finals.

CONFIRMED STARTERS

Women:
Megan McJames (Park City, UT) – GS, SL
Lila Lapanja (Incline Village, NV) – SL
Mikaela Shiffrin (Eagle-Vail, CO) – GS, SL
Resi Stiegler (Jackson, WY) – GS, SL
Keely Cashman (Strawberry, CA) – SL, Flachau*
*Denotes first World Cup start.

Men:
Michael Ankeny (Deephaven, MN) – SL
David Chodounsky (Crested Butte, CO) – GS, SL
Ryan Cochran-Siegle (Starksboro, VT) – GS
Mark Engel (Truckee, CA) – SL
Tommy Ford (Bend, OR) – GS
AJ Ginnis (Vouliagmeni, Greece) – SL
Tim Jitloff (Reno, NV) – GS
Robby Kelley (Starksboro, VT) – SL
Hig Roberts (Steamboat Springs, CO) – GS
Brennan Rubie (Salt Lake City, UT) – GS

HIGHLIGHTS

• Mikaela Shiffrin has been on a tech roll, winning four of the last five tech events (two slalom races, two giant slalom races), and she’ll look to carry that fire into the weekend.
• Resi Stiegler is coming off her best result since 2012, finishing seventh in Zagreb’s night slalom.
• 17-year-old Keely Cashman will be starting in her first World Cup slalom in Flachau.
• Ted Ligety has been struggling with back pain and will not compete in the Adelboden giant slalom.
• Mark Engel finished Thursday’s first run of slalom at Zagreb, just ahead of current Overall and Slalom World Cup leader Austria’s Marcel Hirscher before straddling second run.
• This marks the return of Hig Roberts to World Cup action, who recently won a giant slalom NorAm at Stowe Mountain.
• Fans can catch all of the action live on NBCSN on both Saturday and Sunday, and via live stream on nbcsports.com.

BROADCAST AND LIVE STREAMING (times EST)
Saturday, Jan. 7
3:15 a.m. – Maribor women’s giant slalom – run 1 – nbcsports.com – LIVE STREAM
4:30 a.m. – Adelboden men’s giant slalom – run 1 – nbcsports.com – LIVE STREAM
6:00 a.m.  – Maribor women’s giant slalom – LIVE on NBCSN and LIVE STREAM
7:30 a.m. – Adelboden men’s giant slalom – LIVE on NBCSN and LIVE STREAM

Sunday, Jan. 8
3:15 a.m. – Maribor women’s slalom – run 1 – nbcsports.com – LIVE STREAM
4:30 a.m. – Adelboden men’s slalom – run 1 – nbcsports.com – LIVE STREAM
6:00 a.m.  – Maribor women’s slalom – LIVE on NBCSN and LIVE STREAM
7:30 a.m. – Adelboden men’s slalom – LIVE on NBCSN and LIVE STREAM

Live streaming available on NBCsports.com/Live and the NBC Sports app, which is available on the iTunes App Store, Google Play, Windows Store, Roku Channel Store, Apple TV and Amazon Fire.

ZAGREB, Croatia (Jan. 5, 2017) – Battling bad luck with weather, David Chodounsky (Crested Butte, CO) was the top American finisher at the Audi FIS Ski World Cup night slalom in Zagreb, taking 16th.

Today, though, it was the World Cup veterans who stole the show. Manfred Moelgg of Italy was crowned VIP Snow Queen, with Felix Neureuther of Germany second and Norwegian Henrik Kristoffersen in third.

It was a blustery day with a strong headwind blowing up the hill at the athletes. Some got lucky and some fell victim to the gusts. Chodounsky was one of the unlucky skiers. “It was really crazy up there,” he said. “I went through that hairpin and I literally could not see the next gate and I didn’t know where to go. I snowplowed it—slid my skis a little bit until it cleared enough to see the gate and then I kept going.”

Mark Engel took third first run, after starting 45th. (Getty Images/Agence Zoom-Christophe Pallot)

But he kept a good head on his shoulders and is looking forward to this weekend in Adelboden. “I felt like I was skiing up top pretty well,” he said. “I got points out of it. I’ll go to the next race and keep firing.”

But the story of the day was NCAA giant slalom champion Mark Engel (Truckee, CA), who skied from bib 45 to take third first run. “I just pushed really hard out of the gate and tried to do what I could do the whole way,” said Engel after first run. “Our whole team has been training really fast, really strong and everyone has been pushing each other and trading off runs. It honestly felt like just another training run.”

Engel crashes out of the second run of slalom. (Getty Images/Agence Zoom-Christophe Pallot)

But luck was also not on Engel’s side, who was less than a second off the leader second run when he straddled and crashed a few gates from the finish. But he was smiling at the finish, proud of himself for his first run accomplishment and knowing he could do it again in the future. “It was like a dream come true,” said Engel.

Engel also joked about starting behind fellow Atomic athlete Marcel Hirscher, who he beat first run. “I think I rode up the chairlift with him in Levi one time and I was playing reggae music on my phone,” said Engel, who is a musician himself. “He was looking at me like I was a little bit crazy. Maybe we’ll know each other better now.”

The men next head to Adelboden for a giant slalom and slalom Saturday and Sunday.

HIGHLIGHTS

• David Chodounsky was the top American finisher, taking 16^th.
• Mark Engel skied from bib 45 to third place after first run, but fell and did not finish second run.
• Robby Kelley (Starksboro, VT), AJ Ginnis (Vouliagmeni, Greece) and Michael Ankeny (Deephaven, MN) did not qualify for a second run.
• Next, the men head to Adelboden for a GS and slalom on Saturday and Sunday.  
   

QUOTES

David Chodounsky
It was hard. It’s an outdoor sport and that’s what we do. I didn’t get the good wind today. It was really crazy up there. I went through that hairpin and I literally could not see the next gate and I didn’t know where to go. I snowplowed it—slid my skis a little bit until it cleared enough to see the gate and then I kept going. You gotta just shake it off. There’s nothing I can do. I felt like I was skiing up top pretty well before that. I got points out of it. I’ll go to the next race and keep firing.

I’m very confident coming into Adelboden. I’m training well. The beginning of the season was good and there was a little bit of a lull before Christmas and I didn’t feel super confident, but it’s ramping back up and I feel good going into the next four slaloms this month. I’m in a good spot and I’m ready to go.  

Mark Engel
(After first run)
I just pushed really hard out of the gate and tried to do what I could do the whole way. Our whole team has been training really fast, really strong and everyone has been pushing each other and trading off runs. It honestly felt like just another training run. I did get lucky—I had a funny feeling when it happened. It cleared up when I was going and that helped things.

(After second run)
It was like a dream come true. To me, it felt like normal skiing, like how we ski in training. I was very surprised.

When I fell, I shouldn’t tell you what I felt when I fell. But I’m smiling now. I was happy I was going for it and not holding back.

(On starting behind Marcel Hirsher second run)
I think I rode up the chairlift with him in Levi one time and I was playing reggae music on my phone. He was looking at me like I was a little bit crazy. Maybe we’ll know each other better now.

(On his serviceman, John Mulligan)
This is our first year together and he has a lot of experience. He was here with Kristina Koznick 10 years ago when she got a podium. It’s a pleasure to work with him.

RESULTS
Men’s slalom results

PARK CITY, UT (Jan. 5, 2017) – The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association, long regarded as one of the most innovative of Olympic sports organizations, will be engaging in a search for a new chief marketing officer. According to USSA President and CEO Tiger Shaw, Chief Marketing Officer Michael Jaquet will be leaving the Park City-based organization this spring.

Jaquet came to the USSA in 2012 after a career with College Sports Television and CBS Sports, where he rose to become senior vice president for cable sports sales at CBS. He grew up as a cross country ski racer and became one of the early pioneers in developing the sport of freeskiing.

"It's been great having Mike on board during this period of exceptional organizational growth in both revenue and our domestic broadcast footprint," said Shaw. "We are thankful for his contributions and look forward to our event packed winter where we will work together, as planned, to provide a smooth transition within our marketing teams while supporting Mike with his new professional opportunities. We know that we will continue the growth that Mike has driven, given our strong base and global recognition of our brand."

Over the past four years, sponsorship revenue has grown over 60%. With the development of a unique broadcast partnership with NBC, ratings have grown 35%, with a 700% increase in broadcast or streaming visibility of competitive skiing and snowboarding in America.

"Working to support and enable our remarkable Olympic athletes has been very gratifying," said Jaquet. "I'm proud to have played a tangible role by increasing revenue and broadcast viewership in America. The athletes and coaches of will always be very special to me. While I feel that we have made remarkable progress here at USSA, I want to pursue new opportunities after guiding a successful transition into the spring, which includes the execution and implementation of existing and pending partner agreements. This is very important to me. I look forward to tackling my next challenge knowing that the growth I have established will bring tremendous benefit to our teams."

Shaw indicated that the USSA will undertake a search for a successor, seeking to bring a new chief marketing officer on board prior to its pre-Olympic USSA Partner Summit in June.

ZAGREB, Croatia (Jan. 3, 2017) – Resi Stiegler (Jackson, WY) put down two solid runs to grab seventh place at the Zagreb night slalom—her first Audi FIS Ski World Cup top 10 of the season. Mikaela Shiffrin (Eagle-Vail, CO) straddled first run and did not finish.

After crashing in Semmering, Stiegler was on a mission for a strong finish in Zagreb. After finishing eighth first run, she pulled out all the stops for second run and even with a slight mistake, skied into seventh. “I was a little nervous coming into this race and I wanted to have a good one,” said Stiegler. “I’ve been trying to get back in the top 10! I love this [Zagreb].”

Stiegler poses with Canadian Marie-Michele Gagnon (who finished sixth) in the finish. 

Veronika Velez Zuzulova of Slovakia, who has finished in second behind Shiffrin in the last three slaloms, took the win and the esteemed Snow Queen Trophy. Her teammate Petra Vlhova was second and Sarka Strachova of the Czech Republic was third.

Shiffrin was going for her eighth straight slalom victory in a row, which would have tied the record for most consecutive slalom victories. However, a first run straddle deterred her quest. Shiffrin blamed the mistake on nerves. “A lot of times I feel like straddling happens almost before you even get on the hill,” said Shiffrin. “It’s a mental thing. And it’s because of nerves, and going out of the gate not totally feeling exactly the way I would like to.”

Mikaela Shiffrin poses with Janica Kostelic of Croatia, who still holds the record for eight straight slalom wins, along with Vreni Schneider of Switzerland. 

While disappointed, Shiffrin acknowledged that she wasn’t unhappy the record run was over. “I was never thinking about the streak in the beginning until people started talking about it,” said Shiffrin. “So to be honest, it’s a bit of a relief because nobody is going to be talking about it anymore…I’m doing this for myself and to try to find peace in my own heart. So I’m on my way there.”

Megan McJames (Park City, UT) skied to 20th—her career-first slalom points. “I’m super excited!” said McJames. “I’ve been watching Zagreb on TV for the last 10 years and I always wanted to race it and it’s never been possible. This year I decided I was going and I’m super excited that this is my first slalom points. The clouds clear right when you need it.”

Megan McJames took her career-first slalom points. (Getty Images/Agence Zoom-Christophe Pallot)

Next up, the men race the Zagreb night slalom on Thursday, while the women head to Maribor for a tech series over the weekend.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Resi Stiegler was the top American, finishing in seventh place.
• Stiegler’s previous best finish in Zagreb was fifth, in 2007. 
• After winning the last seven consecutive slaloms, Mikaela Shiffrin straddled first run.
• Shiffrin had won the last two races at Zagreb in 2013 and 2015.
• Megan McJames took her first Audi FIS Ski World Cup slalom points, finishing 20th.
• Lila Lapanja (Alpine Village, NV) did not finish first run.
• Road to Aspen: Even after DNFing, Shiffrin retains her lead in the overall standings with 798 points over Swiss Lara Gut's 583 points.

QUOTES

Resi Stiegler
I’m really happy. I had a DNF in Semmering and I was a little nervous coming into this race and I wanted to have a good one. I’ve been trying to get back in the top 10 so I’m pretty happy with this. I love this [Zagreb]. I’ve been here since the beginning—the first World Cup here. It’s a good show.

Megan McJames
I’m super excited. I’ve been watching Zagreb on TV for the last 10 years and I always wanted to race and it’s never been possible. This year I decided I was going and I’m super excited that this is my first slalom points. The clouds clear right when you need it.

Mikaela Shiffrin
It was a little bit of a bumpy surface and I didn’t give my feet enough room and my ski went on the wrong side of the gate. I knew it right away and that’s a terrible feeling for me.

A lot of times I feel like straddling happens almost before you even get on the hill. It’s a mental thing. And it’s because of nerves, and going out of the gate not totally feeling exactly the way I would like to. If I just take my foot off the gas for even a single gate, then I’m at the risk of one ski going on the wrong side of it. It’s almost less about the course set and the conditions and just about how I skied it. I don’t straddle very often, and I’ve skied in millions of different kinds of conditions. So it’s just one of those things that sometimes you don’t feel exactly the right way, and it’s just not the right day.

It is what it is sometimes. Sometimes you don’t ski exactly the way you want too. I was trying to go for it, but I got a bit tentative in some sections and yeah, straddled – so bummer.

I was never thinking about the streak in the beginning until people started talking about it. So to be honest, it’s a bit of a relief because nobody is going to be talking about it anymore. And that’s a bummer … it’s huge for U.S. ski racing to have somebody who has a big streak going on because people gain interest, but for me, I’m not doing this for those records. I’m doing this for myself and to try to find peace in my own heart. So I’m on my way there.

RESULTS
Women’s slalom