On Tuesday’s night slalom in Courchevel, France Stifel U.S. Ski Team athlete Mikaela Shiffrin dominated the field to take her 105th World Cup victory and fourth slalom victory of the season. Stifel U.S. Ski Team teammate Paula Moltzan skied strong to fifth - winning the second run. 

“I need to push every race, and I feel the pressure in the start, but when it goes right, it goes right,” said Shiffrin. 

It was a nice, clear-skied evening in France for the women’s slalom team. After a couple of weeks off from slalom, the women were ready to send under the lights. First up for the American team was none other than Mikaela Shiffrin, who has shown incredible dominance in the discipline from the start of the season in Gurgl. She did not fail to prove her talent on run one as she fought through each tricky section with grace. Her determination was unmatched as she crossed the finish line in first by almost a second. 

“I have really high-quality skiing right now, so when I am nervous, I know how to focus,” said Shiffrin. “But it takes so much precision to do this, and I don’t take that for granted.” 

Then teammate Paula Moltzan skied strongly to land in the top ten. However, it would come down to the second run to determine the top spots. 

“I am so thankful and proud of the work that my team has done it’s been really phenomenal work which makes it easier for me to do a good performance,” said Shiffrin. 

On the second run both Moltzan and Shiffrin brought their A game. Moltzan with a classic second run send, not only winning second run but moving up to fifth place. Shiffrin skied strong and fast to extend her slalom lead to 1.55 seconds over second place Camille Rast of Switzerland and Germany’s Emma Aicher. 

“I’m happy to have found some consistency in my slalom but I’m definitely looking for more speed on first run,” said Moltzan. “All there is to do is keep moving forward and pushing. Excited to have more racing soon.” 

Stifel U.S. Ski Team athletes Elisabeth Bocock, Nina O’Brien and Liv Moritz also raced but did not qualify for run two.

The women’s tech team will now enjoy the Christmas holiday before heading to Semmering, Austria Dec. 27-28 for a giant slalom and slalom race. 

RESULTS
women's slalom

On the final day of the St. Moritz World Cup,  Lindsey Vonn led the way for the Stifel U.S. Ski Team once again in fourth place. It capped off an incredible weekend of races for the 83-time World Cup winner, with two podiums, including a win on Friday, Dec. 12 and a second place, Saturday, Dec. 13. Teammate Keely Cashman was next on the docket in 14th place. 

“I'm a little bit disappointed in myself that I didn't push hard enough and was too conservative in some sections,” said Vonn. “I think overall it was a great weekend, and I take a lot of confidence from it but I definitely have things to fix for next weekend.”

The weather was, once again, perfect. Blue skies and sun overhead showed a smooth, consistent surface for all the racers. Cashman was first out of the gate for the women’s team and skied well to sit in the leaderboard chair for a few racers - her first time to do so. 

“I was pretty excited for a clean course, but also nervous because I didn't really know how I was gonna run. But I'm pretty happy with how I executed most of it,” said Cashman.

Then it was time for Vonn. She skied strongly throughout the course but needed a touch more flow for the top spot. Nonetheless, she has a lot to be happy with this weekend and skied away with a fourth-place finish. 

The second half of the race was just as lively for the U.S. team as three more women punched it into the top 30. First, it was Tricia Mangan who was skiing well until she made a costly error at the bottom - still sliding into 21st. Then, Mary Bocock came down flying at top speed and snagged 18th, her first World Cup points. Finally, it was Haley Cutler who also skied with grit to land in 23rd. 

“I'm very happy I got to race,” said Bocock. “It felt good in some parts but it definitely wasn't perfect. I think it really speaks to how important it is to just send it.” 

Mikaela Shiffrin raced her first speed race in two seasons, but did not finish. She is OK. Bella Wright landed just outside the top 30 in 33rd and Allison Mollin was 37th. 

St. Moritz was fantastic for the Stifel U.S. Ski Team, with two podiums for Vonn, two Stifel Bibbo Awards for Allison Mollin, nearly all women in the top 30 and strong skiing. Next, the women’s tech team will take the reins for a night slalom in Courchevel, France. 

RESULTS
Women's super-G

On day one of Val d’Isère’s men’s tech series, Stifel U.S. Ski Team athletes River Radamus and Ryder Sarchett punched it into sixth and 10th place. The skiers notably had some of the fastest second runs of the day. 

“It's a privilege to race here,” said Radamus.  “You need to battle with this hill.”

On the first run, Radamus kicked out of the start first for the Americans and did not execute the way he knows he can, holding back a bit and settling for 21st. 

“The first run got the better of me," admitted Radamus.  

But make way for young star Ryder Sarchett. Sarchett, fresh off his first World Cup points at the Stifel Birds of Prey at Beaver Creek, was ready to send. From Bib 52, he skyrocketed to 23rd place in the first run. 

“It was a great day," said Sarchett. "This is the best ski race I think I have ever had."

It would come down to run two for the true test. But if the U.S. men know how to do anything, it’s win a second run. 

“I think the whole team is building some momentum," said Radadmus. "Too often with the U.S. team, we've just been taking part, but right now our motivation is that every time we're in the start, we want to put on a show and we want to risk it. It's not going to work every run, but I think we're starting to put some good runs together."

And then men did risk it. Sarchett took advantage of an early start and linked his turns flawlessly to sit in the leaderboard chair. Then Radamus, just a few skiers behind, annihilated the second run to not only move up 15 spots but also win the second run. Sarchett placed third on the second run. Radamus landed sixth overall and Sarchett took 10th, a career best result for the young skier. It was a truly magnificent performance by both men. 

The men’s team will now switch gears to slalom Sunday. 

RESULTS
Men's giant slalom