SAALBACH, Austria (Feb. 4, 2025) – For the second time, U.S. Ski & Snowboard, in partnership with Protect Our Winters (POW) and Kappa, is releasing a race suit designed to bring attention to climate change. The Stifel U.S. Alpine Ski Team will wear the suit during the 2025 FIS Alpine Ski World Championships in Saalbach, Austria Feb. 4-16, 2025 and the Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team will wear a similar race suit at the 2025 FIS Nordic Ski World Championships in Trondheim, Norway Feb. 26 - March 9, 2025.

In 2023, U.S. Ski & Snowboard partnered with POW, a leading nonprofit organization that rallies the outdoor community in support of systemic solutions to climate change, and Kappa, the team’s technical apparel partner and supplier of the team uniform, to bring to life a unique vision of climate change on the alpine athletes’ speed suits. Laddering up to U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s climate change initiative Easy Green, the 2025 suit is a new version of the 2023 World Championships suit, showcasing melting glaciers. 

In addition to the team partner logos traditionally on athlete race suits, the World Championship suit also showcases the POW logo, a key partner of U.S. Ski & Snowboard in the fight against a warming climate, and the Easy Green logo. 

"Climate change directly impacts our athletes and the mountains we cherish. By incorporating a climate change theme into our race suits for the World Championships again, we hope to continue driving awareness and action,” said Sophie Goldschmidt, President and CEO of U.S. Ski & Snowboard. “These suits are a powerful reminder that we must protect the future of winter sports and our planet."

The race suit is designed with Kappa and produced in Italy with 100% Italian fabrics in a factory certified in terms of environmental sustainability. 

“POW fights for clean air, clean water and a healthy environment for all; we’re proud to stand alongside the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team as it puts this mission on the global stage,” said POW CEO Erin Sprague. “The suits will spark global awareness and conversations about climate change and further the climate movement in outdoor communities, moving us closer to common-ground, common-sense solutions needed to tackle the climate crisis. We’re all in this together, and we are excited to see the Stifel U.S. Ski Team racing in these suits.”

“Having a World Championship racing suit that reflects the current climate crisis that we are in is such an important part of advocacy that we can bring to sport as humans, not just as athletes,” said Olympic champion and Stifel U.S. Ski Team cross country skier Jessie Diggins. “As an active board member for Protect Our Winters and member of their athlete alliance, using my voice and the power of sport to call attention to our shared need for clean air, clean water and a healthy planet is the most meaningful thing that I could possibly do. It’s so much more than a ski race. My hope is that seeing us race in these suits that visually show the impact of our changing climate will be a reminder of what’s at stake. It can help people remember the small, everyday actions that they can take, as well as the larger policy actions that countries can take in order to swing the needle and protect not only snow sports, but outdoor recreation for everyone in our future.”

About U.S. Ski & Snowboard
U.S. Ski & Snowboard is the Olympic National Governing Body (NGB) of ski and snowboard sports in the USA, based in Park City, Utah. Tracing its roots directly back to 1905, the organization represents nearly 200 elite skiers and snowboarders in 2022, competing in seven teams; alpine, cross country, freeski, freestyle, snowboard, nordic combined, and ski jumping. In addition to fully funding the elite teams, U.S. Ski & Snowboard also provides leadership and direction for tens of thousands of young skiers and snowboarders across the USA, encouraging and supporting them in achieving excellence. By empowering national teams, clubs, coaches, parents, officials, volunteers, and fans, U.S. Ski & Snowboard is committed to the progression of its sports, athlete success, and the value of team. For more information, visit www.usskiandsnowboard.org.

About Protect Our Winters (POW)
Protect Our Winters is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that helps passionate outdoor people protect the places and lifestyles they love from climate change. Founded in 2007 by professional snowboarder Jeremy Jones, POW is a community of athletes, scientists, creatives and business leaders advancing non-partisan policies that protect our world today and for future generations. For more information, visit www.protectourwinters.org

About Kappa®
Kappa® is one of the brands owned by BasicNet SpA, an Italian company that also owns Robe di Kappa®, Jesus Jeans®, K-Way®, Superga®, Sabelt®, Briko® and Sebago®, leading clothing, footwear and accessories brands for sport and leisure. BasicNet operates worldwide through a network of entrepreneurs who, under license, produce or distribute products with the Group’s trademarks. BasicNet provides these companies with research and development, product industrialization and global marketing services. All business processes take place solely via the internet, which makes BasicNet a “fully web integrated company”. BasicNet, based in Turin, has been listed on the Italian Stock

For more information, please contact:
Courtney Harkins, U.S. Ski & Snowboard, courtney.harkins@usskiandsnowboard.org
Leigh Capozzi, Protect Our Winters, leigh@protectourwinters.org 

Assets
Images available for editorial use.

On Tuesday night’s first event of the FIS Ski Alpine World Championships the Stifel U.S. Ski Team fell short of a medal in fourth place. 

“I went out there and did the fastest skiing I could,” said Moltzan. “I just want to show the rest of the world that we are some of the fastest skiers in the world - maybe not tonight but I still believe in all of us and there are a lot more medal opportunities.” 

It was a tough battle in Saalbach for the Team Event as the reigning World Champions (the U.S.) fired out of the start to try and claim a medal. 

“It is really special to be skiing alongside these guys. It truly feels like a team event,” said Nelson. “We rely on each other and it is really cool.” 

The race consists of four heats all to make either the big final or the small final to get a coveted medal. First the Stifel U.S. Ski Team squad was able to knock out Poland. However the next heat would be a test. The U.S. against Norway. The same two teams from the big final in 2023. 

The women’s team came out firing. Paula Moltzan and Nina O’Brien consistently scored the fastest times for the women’s field. On the men’s side it was going to be a fierce battle with Norwegian World Cup winners Timon Haugan and Atle Lie McGrath. Isaiah Nelson fell short to Haugan but River Radamus skied his best run to beat McGrath. 

The next round was against Switzerland. It was once again a battle at the end. Moltzan and O’Brien delivered the green. Nelson with a mistake fell short and Radamus was just off the mark. The U.S. would move on to the small final against Sweden. 

In the small final it was down to the last racer, Nelson. Nelson was pushing extremely hard on track to potentially claim the bronze. At the bottom of the course he pushed just a smidge too hard and straddled. The U.S. would have to ski away with fourth. A very solid effort under the lights for the opening race. Italy would claim gold with Switzerland in silver. 

“I love this event, I love racing with this team,” said Radamus. “Isaiah was our newest member and he brought a lot of heart to this in his first World Championships event ever so very cool for him.” 

The next World Championships event will be a woman’s super-G on Thursday Feb. 5. 

RESULTS
team parallel

Park City, Utah (Jan. 31, 2025) —U.S. Ski & Snowboard is proud to announce the 21 athletes that will represent the Stifel U.S. Ski Team at the 2025 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in Saalbach, Austria, February 4-16, 2025.

The team is headlined by the greatest skier of all time, Mikaela Shiffrin—who has 99 World Cup victories and seven World Championships gold medals. With 14 medals in 17 World Championships starts, Shiffrin is the most successful alpine skier in the modern era. The team will also feature Olympic champion eight-time World Championships medalist Lindsey Vonn, who makes her return to the World Championships after coming out of retirement; her last World Champs appearance was in 2019. 

This year’s World Championships team features both up-and-coming World Cup athletes and veterans who have already captured multiple World Cup podium finishes this year. The rising stars include Lauren Macuga who claimed her first World Cup win in the St. Anton super-G this season, as well as Katie Hensien who just missed the podium in Sölden in fourth place. On the veteran side, returning team event world champion Paula Moltzan will be a force in women’s tech with her recent giant slalom podium in Kronplatz.

Jared Goldberg and Olympic silver medalist Ryan Cochran-Siegle headline the men’s team with their podium performances this season in Val Gardena, Italy. World champion River Radamus will be the man to watch in the giant slalom, while Ben Ritchie will highlight men’s slalom, having consistently scored World Cup points this season. 

“This has been an excellent season for both of our teams with multiple podiums across all disciplines,” said U.S. Ski & Snowboard Chief of Sport Anouk Patty. “We have a strong group of veteran and up-and-coming athletes that we know will work together and push one another to the top of the podium.” 

“We are proud to announce our team for the World Championships. These athletes represent the dedication, resilience and passion that defines our organization,” said U.S. Ski & Snowboard CEO Sophie Goldschmidt. “They’ve trained for this moment and are ready to compete at the highest level.”

This year’s World Championships event will be in Saalbach at one primary venue. It will also feature a new event—the team combined. This will consist of two athletes racing one run of downhill and one run of slalom. The combined time will determine the winner. 

Fans can watch all of the action in Austria live on Infront’s skiandsnowboard.live, with select events tape delayed on NBC. Skiandsnowboard.live will have all events on demand; Peacock will not have races on demand. 

 2025 FIS SKI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS TEAM
(Name, hometown, ski club, college, birthdate, past World Championship teams)
*Denotes first World Championships team
**Denotes injured athlete 

Women

• Keely Cashman* (Strawberry, CA; Team Palisades Tahoe; Montana State University; 4/4/1999)
• Katie Hensien (Redmond, WA; Rowmark Ski Academy/University of Denver; 12/1/1999; 2021, 2023)
• AJ Hurt (Carnelian Bay, CA; Team Palisades Tahoe; Dartmouth College; 12/5/2000; 2021)
• Breezy Johnson (Victor, ID; Rowmark Ski Academy; 1/19/1996; 2017, 2021, 2023)
• Lauren Macuga* (Park City, UT; Park City Ski & Snowboard; 7/4/2002)
• Paula Moltzan (Prior Lake, MN; Buck Hill Ski Team/Ski & Snowboard Club Vail/University of Vermont; 4/7/1994; 2015, 2019, 2021, 2023)
• Nina O’Brien (San Francisco, CA; Burke Mountain Academy/Palisades Tahoe Ski Team/Dartmouth College; 11/29/1997; 2019, 2021, 2023)
• Mikaela Shiffrin (Edwards, CO; Burke Mountain Academy/Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 3/13/1995; 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023)
• Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail/Buck Hill Ski Team; 10/18/1984; 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019)
• Jacqueline Wiles (Aurora, OR; White Pass Ski Club; 7/13/1992; 2015, 2017, 2021)

 Men

• Bryce Bennett (Tahoe City, CA; Palisades Tahoe Ski Team; 7/14/1992; 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023)
• Ryan Cochran-Siegle (Starksboro, VT; Cochran’s Ski Club/Mount Mansfield Ski & Snowboard Club/University of Vermont; 3/27/1992; 2013, 2017, 2019, 2023)
• Tommy Ford** (Bend, OR; Mt. Bachelor Ski Education Foundation; Dartmouth College; 3/20/1989; 2011, 2015, 2017, 2021, 2023)
• Bridger Gile* (Aspen, CO; Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club/Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 10/15/1999)
• Jared Goldberg (Holladay, UT; Snowbird Sports Education Foundation/University of Utah; 6/15/1991; 2015, 2017, 2021, 2023)
• Patrick Kenney* (Hingham, MA; Burke Mountain Academy/University of New Hampshire; 2/13/1997)
• Sam Morse (Carrabassett Valley, ME; Carrabassett Valley Academy/Dartmouth; 5/27/1996; 2023)
• Isaiah Nelson* (Wayzata, MN; Buck Hill Ski Racing Club; 4/3/2001)
• River Radamus (Edwards, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 2/12/1998; 2021, 2023)
• Ben Ritchie (Waitsfield, VT; Green Mountain Valley School; 9/5/2000; 2021, 2023)
• Jett Seymour (Steamboat, CO; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club/University of Denver; 11/5/1998; 2021, 2023)
• Luke Winters (Gresham, OR; Sugar Bowl Academy; 4/2/1997; 2021, 2023)

2025 FIS World Ski Championships Live Coverage 

All times EST
Check local listings, subject to change.

Tuesday, Feb. 4
9:15 a.m. - mixed team parallel - skiandsnowboard.live

Thursday, Feb. 6
5:30 a.m. - women’s super-G - skiandsnowboard.live

Friday, Feb. 7
5:30 a.m. - men’s super-G - skiandsnowboard.live

Saturday, Feb. 8
5:30 a.m. - women’s downhill - skiandsnowboard.live
3:00 p.m. - women’s super-G - NBC (tape delay)

Sunday, Feb. 8
5:30 a.m. - men’s downhill - skiandsnowboard.live
1:00 p.m. - women’s downhill - NBC (tape delay)

Tuesday, Feb. 11
4:00 a.m. - women’s team combined, run one - skiandsnowboard.live
7:15 a.m. - women’s team combined, run two - skiandsnowboard.live

Wednesday, Feb. 12 
4:00 a.m. - men’s team combined, run one - skiandsnowboard.live
7:15 a.m. - men’s team combined, run two -skiandsnowboard.live

Thursday, Feb. 13
3:45 a.m. - women’s giant slalom, run one - skiandsnowboard.live
7:15 a.m. - women’s giant slalom, run two - skiandsnowboard.live

Friday, Feb. 14 
3:45 a.m. - men’s giant slalom, run one - skiandsnowboard.live
7:15 a.m. - men’s giant slalom, run two - skiandsnowboard.live

Saturday, Feb. 15
3:45 a.m. - women’s slalom, run one - skiandsnowboard.live
7:15 a.m. - women’s slalom, run two - skiandsnowboard.live
3:00 p.m. - women and men’s GS and team combined - NBC (tape delay) 

Sunday, Feb. 16
3:45 a.m. - men’s slalom, run one - skiandsnowboard.live
7:15 a.m. - men’s slalom, run two - skiandsnowboard.live
4:00 p.m. - women and men’s slalom - NBC (tape delay)

After 60 long days away from snow following a severe abdominal injury sustained at the Stifel Killington Cup in November, Mikaela Shiffrin made her return to World Cup ski racing at the Courchevel night slalom in France, snagging a 10th place in her first race back. With just days to go before the 2025 FIS Alpine Ski World Championships, Shiffrin stepped back into competition mode—not to chase any one goal, but instead to once again feel comfortable pushing out of the start gate. 

"It’s very much a step-by-step process, and this return to competition is part of the recovery," said Shiffrin. “It actually doesn’t even mean I’m recovered or I’m back to 100%. It means that we’ve gotten far enough in the recovery now that I’m strong enough physically, and I’ve had enough turns of slalom, to feel comfortable to push out of the start gate.”

Courchevel holds a special place in Shiffrin's career and heart. It's where she's won seven of her 99 World Cup victories across four different disciplines. In 2023, Shiffrin won three World Championships and watched her team bring home the first-ever World Championships gold medal in the parallel team event. And, it's where Shiffrin had her first victory after her father's passing in 2020.

Tonight, as the lights lit up the storied slalom hill, Shiffrin’s goal was simple: race, get the feeling back and have fun. And tonight, she did just that, signaling she’s back and ready to build toward the World Championships.

Shiffrin wasn’t the only American on the start list. Four other Stifel U.S. Ski Team tech athletes joined her at the gates, including Paula Moltzan, who was back on the World Cup podium just weeks ago, and AJ Hurt, Nina O'Brien and Katie Hensien, who are all having strong World Cup seasons. With the conditions deteriorating and becoming choppier by the second, many athletes on the start list did not finish their runs, either by straddling, skiing out or getting caught in the ruts of the soft snow. Hensien, Hurt, O'Brien and Moltzan did not advance to the second run but are already focused on training and preparing for the upcoming races.

After the first run, with the top 30 advancing to the second, Shiffrin was the sole athlete representing the U.S., comfortably making the flip in fifth place. The second run began at 8:00 p.m. CET—it was a late night, but the fans were out in force, the atmosphere was electric and the night slalom under the bright lights brought palpable energy. Shiffrin ran later in the pack. With everyone holding their breaths as she descended the course, there was one thing on the minds of many—would this be the race that would give her her 100th World Cup victory? Shiffrin skied a smart and tactful race, knifing down the course and ultimately crossed the line in the top 10. Her immediate reaction? She smiled, waved and made a heart with her hands to the crowd and her team in the finish area.

“It was so important to get this start before World Champs and I think it was a very important step in my recovery to see how I’m stacking up with the best skiers in the world," she said. "Today... it's just... it's just nice to be racing." 

The Courchevel night slalom podium included Croatia's Zrinka Ljutic in first, Sara Hector of Sweden in second and Germany's Lena Duerr in third. 

Now, the athletes will rest and prepare for the upcoming races, which include the World Championship in Saalbach, Austria. World Championships are not World Cup races, so Shiffrin's run to her 100th win is on hold. 

RESULTS
Women's Slalom

On Wednesday’s classic night slalom event in Schladming, Austria, Stifel U.S. Ski Team's Ben Ritchie knifed his way to another top 10 finish in ninth place. It was his second-ever top 10 result and also the first time an American has landed in the top 10 in the slalom since Ted Ligety in 2012. 

“Tonight was really fun! Schladming is one of the coolest races of the year,” said Ritchie. “The surface was great and I could not ask for better.” 

By 5 p.m. the Austrians filled the stands to capacity, ready to create an electric atmosphere on Wednesday night in Schladming. The first run course set was straight but tough - many racers said the track felt rough on their skis. Despite the challenge, Ritchie fought his way down to land in 18th place. No other U.S. athletes were able to make jumps. 

“First run was solid, nothing special. The second run I skied the top three quarters very well. I felt super comfortable and towards the end I started to make some small mistakes here and there,” said Ritchie. “It’s only my third top 15 and second top 10 result ever in my career so I am super happy with tonight.” 

As the evening turned to night and the crowds became more rowdy, the second run course set was ready to inspect. And the set was difficult. There was no consistent rhythm and it would be hard for athletes to make it down the course cleanly. But Ritchie ran towards the top half of the group and dominated - staying in the green at each split by a large half-second margin. At the last split, his legs tired and he lost some time, but still managed to find the green light. 

Ritchie sat comfortably in the leaderboard chair for a minute, ultimately moving up nine spots to claim ninth place for his second-best slalom result in his career.

“It has been a good January,” said Ritchie. “I am now just working on consistency. I can ski fast but you see spots of different runs here and there where I am putting together great skiing. It is only a matter of time until I put it all together in one day.” 

It’s been a strong World Cup season for Ritchie, scoring in every single race aside from one that he did not finish. Ritchie claimed multiple personal best results, proving that he can hold his own with the world’s best. He is fired up more than ever heading into the World Championships and further solidifying a spot in the World Cup Finals in Sun Valley, Idaho in March. 

The winner of the race was Norwegian Timon Haugan, in second and third were Austrians Manuel Feller and Fabio Gstrein. Stifel U.S. Ski Team members Jett Seymour and River Radamus did not qualify for a second run. 

The next stop for the slalom men will be the World Championships in Saalbach, Austria with the men’s slalom scheduled for Feb. 16. 

RESULTS
Men's slalom

On Tuesday night’s giant slalom race in Schladming, Austria, Stifel U.S. Ski Team athlete River Radamus landed in 12th place. Radamus powered through a difficult weather day that involved pouring rain, slushy snow and an inconsistent surface. 

“It was dumping rain during the warm up probably the hardest rain I’ve ever skied in we knew it was going to be a tight race so there was no time to warm up or get into you had to go full on from the start,” said Radamus.

Despite the pouring rain the Austrian fans came in by the thousand enduring the pouring rain. The rain was not too strong on the first run inspection but the surface was soft and slushy underfoot. The set was pretty turny and turned into a sprint as they moved the start down lower from the poor conditions. On the first run Radamus skied first for the Stifel U.S. Ski Team. Radamus did not find the best line but kept his time close in 17th place. 

Fellow U.S. members Patrick Kenney, Isaiah Nelson, Bridger Gile and Cooper Puckett also raced but did not make a second run. Puckett notably had a huge mistake and flew into the air - video can be seen here. 

The second run course set was much faster than the first, allowing racers to make some more significant jumps in their places. Radamus pushed hard but was not perfect; he ended up (at first) moving back a few spots. However the course deteriorated giving Radamus and others moves up the scoreboard.

Ultimately Radamus ended up 12th - a solid position heading into World Championships next week. Not only did Radamus end up 12th but he and Brazil’s Lucas Pinheiro Braathen tied both first run and second run, down to the hundredth. A scenario you do not see often in the sport. 

“First run I felt good just a bit too safe and it cost me a lot. Second run I pinned it as hard as I could and I thought I skied as lot better," said Radamus. "It’s been a difficult January for me. I have not been skiing the way I want to so second run was a step in the right direction but it was a really tight race.”

The winner of the day was Norwegian Alexander Steen Olsen, in second was fellow Viking Henrik Kristoffersen and in third was Swiss Marco Odermatt. 

Next the men will race giant slalom in Saalbach on Feb. 14.

RESULTS
men's giant slalom 

HOW TO WATCH 
Run 1 - 11:45 a.m. ET - men’s slalom, Schladming, AUT - peacock 
Run 2 - 2:45 p.m. ET - men’s slalom, Schladming, AUT - peacock 

On the final day of racing in Kitzbühel, Austria Stifel U.S. Ski Team athlete Ben Ritchie was the lone U.S. finisher in 21st place. 

“I am not that happy with today. It was raining and in between soft and salt conditions,” said Ritchie. “I don’t know if I was 100% prepared, but I am happy to walk away with some points and it helps the journey to Sun Valley in March.” 

It was a day riddled with rain which made for a challenging day of slalom racing—quite the opposite from the downhill day just 24 hours earlier. The snow was hard with a touch of soft snow from the rain on top giving the track some bite. Despite the rain the Austrian fans came out in full force lining each side of the fencing - all awaiting the fate of their favorite slalom skiers. 

Ritchie, now in the top 30 for slalom, started the day for the U.S. men and skied solidly. He would make it into the top 30 for a second run with a nice second-run start position. Teammate Jett Seymour did not qualify for a second run and Luke Winters did not finish. 

On the second run Ritchie was pushing hard to find the right line on the variable conditions and just fell short of the leaderboard chair. In the end Ritchie snagged a few more slalom points that put him in better position for the next races. The men’s slalom team will now head straight to Schladming, Austria for the classic night slalom on Wednesday. 

“I need to figure some things out for Wednesday but I like that hill and I am looking forward to it,” said Ritchie. 

After a dramatic second run that brought down the final top two skiers the winner of the day was Frenchman Clement Noel, second place was Italian Alex Vinatzer with Brazil’s Lucas Pinheiro Braathen in third place. 

RESULTS
men's slalom

The women’s super-G in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, was a race to remember, especially for Stifel U.S. Ski Team athlete Keely Cashman, who secured her career-best World Cup result in sixth. With seven American women on the start list—Lauren Macuga, Keely Cashman, Tricia Mangan, Lindsey Vonn, Jackie Wiles, Haley Cutler and Breezy Johnson—it was a strong showing despite challenging weather conditions.

The day started with a mix of rain and snow, making the Garmisch course even more demanding. Snow blanketed the higher sections of the track, while rain drenched the finish area. Despite the weather, the race got underway and the U.S. women gave it their all for the second race on the Garmisch track. 

Lauren Macuga, wearing bib nine, was the first American to take on the course, laying down a steady run. Following her was California native Cashman, who faced not just the challenging terrain but also some mental barriers from a crash a couple of years ago on the same course, which resulted in a season-ending injury. Since then, the track has been a mental hurdle for the speed athlete. 

"Yesterday was a really hard day. Just being in Garmisch and seeing a lot of crashes... it was hard," said Cashman. "This is also where I crashed four year ago, and I know that's a long time to get over it, but this is not something you can get over quickly. So yesterday was tough but today I started with a new mindset.

And to have my personal best in a place like Garmisch... that's really good!" 

But today was different. Now, with a solid result under her belt, Cashman is ready to keep this momentum going. 

"Confidence is huge and every race," she added. "I've been trying to chip away at the points and move up in the start list and so to do this today, it's huge for my confidence going into World Champs." 

With her parents waving the American flag in the finish area, Cashman attacked the course with confidence and composure. She carried speed through the top section, precisely hitting every line and staying in the green, or close to, on the timing splits. Building momentum with each gate, Cashman crossed the finish line in sixth place—a top 10 on the World Cup and a career-best result. 

As she crossed the line, Cashman threw her hands in the air. Her teammates cheered her on in the finish area and her parents were just feet away in the crowd. The run wasn’t just a personal victory but a powerful statement about perseverance and overcoming mental barriers.

Next was Vonn. Vonn, who has won on this track five times in the downhill, was ready for the super-G. So far this season, Vonn has put together strong races, considering her taking years away from the sport. She was back in the top 15, securing 13th place. Teammate Macuga was in 12th, stringing together another strong race and continuing to set the pace for her strong 2024-25 World Cup season. Breezy Johnson also punched it into the points, taking 20th place.

The day was ultimately won by Lara Gut-Behrami of Switzerland, with Kajsa Lie of Norway in second and Federica Brignone in third. Outside of the top 30, Jackie Wiles finished 32nd, Tricia Mangan 34th and Haley Cutler 38th. 

Now, the team will rest and reset before the World Championships in Saalbach, Austria. 

The Stifel U.S. Ski Team speed men posted three in the top 30 on the infamous downhill day. The team was led by Ryan Cochran-Siegle in 19th, Jared Goldberg in 25th and Bryce Bennett in 29th. 

“Not what I was looking for today. There was an unfortunate mistake, and it's tough; I tried everything I could to reset and refocus, but once you blow the top, you are skiing unfocused,” said Bennett. “I really felt like I figured out some stuff with equipment but it's all good we are skiing well. It's just building momentum to finish off strong and head to World Champs in a good place.”  

The sold-out downhill day brought out 40-thousand loud Austrian fans for what ended up being a picture-perfect downhill day with the sun shining and warm spring-like conditions. The day began with red bull skydivers flying overhead into the packed finish. Then there were cameos by famous Europeans including the famous Austrian Arnold Schwarzenegger, a consistent viewer of the Hahnenkamm. Finally it is race time. 

The race had its viewers on the edge of their seats. But ultimately it was a day for our friends up North (Canada). Cameron Alexander first threw down an incredible run going into second but it was ultimately his teammate James Crawford who absolutely annihilated the course claiming the win and earning the green light. In second place it was Swiss skier Alexis Monney. 

Our U.S. men did not have the day they were hoping with strong skiing but a few too many mistakes to make big moves. Bryce Bennett was locked in but had a major mistake that cost him. Bennett did his best to make up time - shown in his splits after the mistake - but ultimately ended up just inside the top 30. Cochran-Siegle skied solidly but was not able to find that Kitzbühel magic. Finally Jared Goldberg landed in 25th. 

“I got a bit low at the top which was not the way I wanted to start my run - I was trying to fight all the way down and find good energy,” said Cochran-Siegle. 

GettyImages-2195079835Despite not posting the results they wanted Saturday the men are still feeling confident heading into Garmisch and then World Championships early February. 

RESULTS
men's downhill

On the first day of racing in Garmisch, Germany, the Stifel U.S. Ski Team, women’s alpine speed team, had quite a day, led by Breezy Johnson in fourth place, just .06 seconds off the podium. Johnson was joined by Lauren Macuga and Jackie Wiles in the top 11, with Macuga in sixth and Wiles in 11th. 

Garmisch, known for its low altitude, steep, dark, and icy course, welcomed back the fastest women in the world. With American fans and flags taking over the finish area, the American spirit was present for the 49 athletes on the start list. 

Off the start, Wiles ran bib one. Down the course, she put together a strong run and had her chance to sit in the leader's chair. Then came the Italians, led by Sofia Goggia and Federica Brignone. Macuga, Johnson, Allison Mollin (A-Mo), Keely Cashman, Lindsey Vonn, Bella Wright and Tricia Mangan were up next for the U.S. 

Down the course, it was anyone’s game. When it was Johnson’s turn, all eyes were on her. “This is one of my favorite courses,” said Johnson before the race. She’s been racing for over 10 years at the venue and today was another race to add to her resume. 

Johnson was putting together a strong race and was in the green most of the way down the course. The crowd was getting wild; her teammates held their breath as she crossed the line - .25 off from the lead, securing a top-five and fourth, her best result of the season. 

"I feel good! I had a plan and I executed it well. I was able to execute the main things and next time, the small things will come. Honestly, to be that close to the leaders and the podium is great and i'm excited for that. My goals for tomorrow is to stay excited and get a really good start!" 

Next was Macuga. Coming off her career-first win in St. Anton just a weekend ago, Macuga has become a crowd favorite. Only .38 seconds off from first, it was another solid day for the Park City, Utah native. Dawning her red, white and blue outfit in the finish, “Cougs” was all smiles, knowing she just secured another career top-10 and is going into her premier event tomorrow, the super-G. 

To round out the top 11 was Jackie Wiles. Wiles, whose best result of the season this year was outside the top 30, made a statement today in Garmisch. Running bib one is not easy - you’re setting the tone for the day for all the other athletes. Yet, she strung together a run she was proud of and ended the day in 11th place, her top result of the season. 

Vonn, Mangan and Wright did not finish their runs but are okay and focused on getting back out there. The ultimate winners of the day were given to the Italians, with Brignone and Goggia going head-to-head for first and second place. With only. 01 seconds between the two (the smallest margin possible in the sport), Brignone came out on top, with Goggia in second and Switzerland’s Corinne Suter in third. U.S. athletes, including Mollin, were 33rd, just out of the points, Cutler 35th, and Cashman 39th. 

The women are back at it tomorrow, with the super-G to wrap up a week in Garmisch. Watch LIVE and on-demand on skiandsnowboard.live at 5:00 a.m. ET. 

RESULTS
Women