Industry-first video-analysis tool turns smartphones into high-precision motion capture sensors for Team USA skiers and snowboarders

PARK CITY, Utah, and SUNNYVALE, Calif. – Feb. 5, 2026  – U.S. Ski & Snowboard, the national governing body for skiing and snowboarding in the United States, and Google today announced a collaboration on an industry-first AI video-analysis tool built on Google Cloud for skiing and snowboarding. Led by the high-performance needs of world-class athletes, including U.S. Olympians, this experimental AI tool is designed to enhance training precision and mountain safety by delivering near real-time, data-driven insights.  

To develop the AI tool, Google Cloud engineers worked side-by-side with the Stifel U.S. Freeski Team and Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team in extreme environments in Austria and Colorado to tackle a long-standing data blind spot in winter sports. For decades, elite coaching has been a choice between two extremes: subjective human observation on the mountain or high-precision data inside a laboratory. Traditional motion-capture requires athletes to wear specialized suits covered in sensors, which are impractical for outdoor training and often fail in sub-zero, high-velocity conditions. This AI tool replaces fragile, wearable hardware with cutting-edge AI from DeepMind that can map a human body in 3D using only video. By leveraging spatial intelligence to "see" through bulky winter gear without the need for sensors.

“This new AI tool is a major coaching development,” said Anouk Patty, chief of sport, U.S. Ski & Snowboard. “Video is the most commonly used and effective coaching tool, but analyzing it used to be a manual, time-consuming process. By working to create an AI tool that works with a smartphone, we can now analyze competition-grade footage with an extra layer of insight. This isn't just about winning medals; it’s about providing our athletes with the safest and most advanced training environment in the world.”

The tool is built with Google Cloud’s full-stack AI capabilities to achieve near real-time analysis on the mountain. From custom TPUs in Google data centers, to the reasoning engines of Gemini, to leveraging spatial intelligence research from Google DeepMind, the collaboration resulted in a system that understands human motion with precision. Unlike traditional motion capture that requires specialized suits, wearable sensors, or multi-camera laboratory setups, the new AI tool turns a standard smartphone into a high-precision sensor, with features including:

• On-mountain analysis: Using a smartphone, coaches are able to capture video from the sidelines or the bottom of a run. The footage is uploaded to a dashboard, where the tool processes it.
• No wearable gear required: With the new tool, athletes can train in their standard gear. The AI uses markerless motion capture to identify skeletal points through clothing and equipment, ensuring natural movement without the weight or distraction of sensors.
• Conversational insights: Using the multimodal power of Gemini, coaches and athletes can then interact with their data using natural language. Instead of scrolling through spreadsheets, a coach can simply ask the tool, “Based on that airtime, how much faster did the rider need to spin to complete the rotation?” The AI then estimates the angular velocity needed to land the trick.
• Long-term improvements: Each session is stored in a centralized content database, allowing for deeper analysis over time and across disciplines. Coaches and athletes can then better understand why a trick was successful, how it was scored, and where targeted improvements can be made.

“Our collaboration with U.S. Ski & Snowboard is the blueprint for a global shift in how humans move, train, and recover, moving beyond historical data to provide athletes with near real-time, prescriptive coaching,” said Oliver Parker, vice president, Global Generative AI, Google Cloud. “By using our full-stack AI, we’re helping democratize elite coaching—proving that if we can solve for the world’s best athletes in the most extreme conditions, we can help anyone from a physical therapy patient to an amateur golfer improve their games.”

U.S. Ski & Snowboard freeski and snowboard athletes and coaches are continuing to prototype this AI tool ahead of the Olympic Winter Games.

About U.S. Ski & Snowboard
U.S. Ski & Snowboard is the Olympic and Paralympic National Governing Body of ski and snowboard sports in the USA, based in Park City, Utah. Started in 1905, the organization now represents nearly 240 elite skiers and snowboarders competing on 10 teams, including the Stifel U.S. Ski Team: alpine, cross country, freestyle moguls, freestyle aerials, freeski, nordic combined, Para alpine and ski jumping, the Toyota U.S. Para Snowboard Team and Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team. In addition to 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. 

U.S. Ski & Snowboard is supported by various partners including; Stifel, Cloudflare, Hydro Flask, Toyota and Visa, in addition to many generous donors.

For more information, visit www.usskiandsnowboard.org. 

About Google Cloud
Google Cloud is the new way to the cloud, providing AI, infrastructure, developer, data, security, and collaboration tools built for today and tomorrow. Google Cloud offers a powerful, fully integrated and optimized AI stack with its own planet-scale infrastructure, custom-built chips, generative AI models and development platform, as well as AI-powered applications, to help organizations transform. Customers in more than 200 countries and territories turn to Google Cloud as their trusted technology partner.

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In a standout performance at Sunday’s men’s World Cup downhill in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, the last race before the Olympic Games begin, Stifel U.S. Ski Team athlete Ryan Cochran-Siegle charged down the challenging Nationale slope to claim third place. 

The sun came out in Crans-Montana, a stark contrast to the flat light the women encountered over the previous days. Cochran-Siegle, the 2022 Olympic silver medalist in super-G, delivered one of his best runs of the season to stand on the podium for the second time of the 2025-26 season. He skied fluidly, carrying and building speed consistently throughout the gliding course. 

“I’m just trying to ski with some joy and fun,” said Cochran-Siegle. “I was just more focused on enjoying it. It’s so rare that we get days like this – nice sunshine on a sunny slope with fun terrain, so I was really just trying to enjoy that.”

Cochran-Siegle’s most recent World Cup podium came on December 4, 2025, when he finished second in the downhill at the Stifel Birds of Prey in Beaver Creek, Colorado. Crans-Montana marked his fifth career World Cup podium and fourth in downhill, setting himself up nicely for the Olympic Games. 

“I just gotta reset. Every venue is unique and obviously Bormio will be really exciting,” said Cochran-Sielge. “The Olympics are a huge part of the sport and just the global attention of sports in general is super cool… I’ll take today with me and then embrace the challenge that will be coming up this next week.”

Bryce Bennett was the next top American, finishing 18th. Wiley Maple also finished in the points in 29th place. Kyle Negomir was 40th, Erik Arvidsson 41st, Jared Goldberg 48th, Sam Morse 50th and Isaiah Nelson 54th. 

The men race first at the Olympic Games, beginning downhill training on Feb. 4 with the downhill scheduled for Feb. 7, the morning after Opening Ceremony. 

RESULTS
Men’s downhill

Stifel U.S. Ski Team athlete Breezy Johnson delivered a career-defining performance on Saturday in Crans-Montana, Switzerland charging to her first World Cup super-G podium in third place. 

“I respect super-G so much; I think it's the hardest event,” said Johnson. “I've always wanted to be good at it, but I did not expect to get there today and I did not expect that run to be what got me to the podium, but I am happy.” 

On a fast, demanding super-G track, Johnson put together a confident and aggressive run from bib 29. Coming in the back of the top 30 starters, many thought the race was more or less over until Johnson came barreling down with high speeds and green lights. Split after split showed Johnson was in for a big day. The second she crossed the line and saw that she was on the podium, she was emotional and shocked. The result marks the first time in her career that Johnson has finished inside the top three in super-G, adding a major milestone to a career already highlighted by strong downhill results.

“It felt fast, because it was sort of similar to the downhill,” said Johnson. “I haven’t been having a particularly good super-G season so I just wanted to come out and give it my best.” 

It was also a strong day for young up-and-comer Mary Bocock, who landed 15th. Her first top-15 finish in the World Cup and her best result to build confidence as she enters the games next week. 

“I was a little nervous, but I'm very happy about it,” said Bocock. “I love this track because it's very technical and so I'm very happy that I was able to execute my plan.” 

There were strong results across the board for the team with Jackie Wiles snagging the Stifel Bibbo Award in 17th from bib 47 and Tricia Mangan skiing to a strong 19th place - one of her best results this season. Keely Cashman rounded out the U.S. skiers in 25th. Haley Cutler also raced but landed outside the 30 in 36th place. 

The Crans Montana World Cup races this weekend were honoring the victims of the tragic fire just one month prior with a moment of silence and other commemorations to the lives lost. It was fitting for Swiss skier Malorie Blanc to win the World Cup in front of the hometown crowd, making for a very emotional and stunning moment for the skier and mountain community. In second place was the super-G red bib holder, Sofia Goggia. 

This super-G race marked the final regular-season World Cup race before the upcoming Milano Cortina Games that start with women’s speed in Cortina. 

RESULTS
Women's super-G

U.S. Ski & Snowboard and the U.S. Army, which entered a partnership in October 2025, have expanded their relationship to include national commercial placements during the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympic Winter & Paralympic Games. The original partnership made the U.S. Army the official armed forces partner of U.S. Ski & Snowboard, honoring the force’s 10th Mountain Division and its distinguished legacy, which led to the creation of America’s modern ski and snowboard industry. 

The partnership includes social content highlighting the historical connection between the U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division and the ski industry, featuring Stifel U.S. Alpine Ski Team athletes Breezy Johnson and Bella Wright and Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team athlete Rosie Brennan, as well as three current 10th Mountain Division Soldiers. 

Following strong storytelling and production quality led by U.S. Ski & Snowboard and supported by Highlanders Creative, the U.S. Army and U.S. Ski & Snowboard selected the pieces to be adapted into official U.S. Army commercials. The spots will now air as part of Olympic and Paralympic broadcast programming during the Milano Cortina 2026 Games.

“The expanded media placement marks a significant milestone in our partnership,” said Sophie Goldschmidt, President and CEO of U.S. Ski & Snowboard. “Being able to broadcast the stories captured between our athletes and 10th Mountain Division Soldiers during the world’s largest winter sports event is fantastic, and with it, we’re able to show the shared history of our military service and elite winter sports to new audiences.” 

"We are proud to bring awareness to the Army's legacy in elite alpine combat at a time when all eyes are on Italy and winter sports," said Brig. Gen. Matthew W. Braman, Army Chief Marketing Officer, who served as the Deputy Commanding General for the 10th Mountain Division from 2022-24. "As we celebrate the Army’s past achievements, we also cheer on our Soldier athletes who qualified for the Games as they seek to make history in this region once again."

The placements will air across major NBC broadcasts for the Milano Cortina Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games. 

About U.S. Ski & Snowboard 
U.S. Ski & Snowboard is the Olympic and Paralympic National Governing Body of ski and snowboard sports in the USA, based in Park City, Utah. Started in 1905, the organization now represents nearly 240 elite skiers and snowboarders competing on 10 teams, including the Stifel U.S. Ski Team: alpine, cross country, freestyle moguls, freestyle aerials, freeski, nordic combined, Para alpine and ski jumping, the Toyota U.S. Para Snowboard Team and Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team. In addition to 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 the Army Enterprise Marketing Office
AEMO is the U.S. Army's national marketing, marketing research and analysis, and accessions analysis organization. AEMO develops innovative and effective ways to connect with the American public to make the Army more accessible and understood, increase awareness of both the benefits and value of Army service, and motivate the most qualified candidates to choose the Army as their service of first choice. For more information on Army careers, visit: www.goarmy.com 

The five-episode series follows Mikaela Shiffrin, Lindsey Vonn, Marco Odermatt, Lucas Pinheiro Braathen and more of the world’s most elite alpine ski racers as they train for and compete in the alpine World Cup as well as the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics

ESPN today announced its newest ESPN Original Series On the Edge: World Cup Ski Racing will premiere on January 30 on the ESPN app and ESPN on Disney+ for bundle subscribers in the U.S. The series will also be on Disney+ in international markets at a later date. The five-episode series follows the world’s most elite ski racers across the 2025-26 season and 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina.

WATCH THE TRAILER

Directed by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Pat Dimon, produced by Bright North USA and the International Ski & Snowboard Federation in partnership with Stifel U.S. Ski Team and Team USA, On the Edge follows Olympic champions – including Mikaela Shiffrin, Lindsey Vonn, Marco Odermatt, Lucas Pinheiro Braathen and more – as they navigate the dramatic landscapes of Europe and North America on the Audi FIS Ski World Cup circuit. The series explores their personal journeys, on and off the snow, and the culture of the sport as they endure the grind of a global season all in pursuit of Olympic gold.

"Growing up a lifelong skier in Vermont, I learned that what matters most often happens away from the gates and finish line,” said director Pat Dimon. “On the Edge is about seeing past the polished surface and dropping into the real line of World Cup racing—the grind of travel, the toll of injuries, the pressure, and the mindset it takes to be and stay at that level. By following athletes like Mikaela Shiffrin, Marco Odermatt, Lindsey Vonn, Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, and Lucas Pinheiro Braathen through a global season, the series captures the human side of the sport as they push toward the ultimate run of their careers: the Milano Cortina Olympic Games.”

From pre-dawn training runs and high-speed races to rehab sessions and hotel rooms, On the Edge reveals the human side of elite competition. Triumph and self-doubt, resilience and sacrifice collide, creating an intimate portrait of what it truly takes to chase greatness, one run at a time.

“As the countdown to the 2026 Winter Olympics begins, we’re excited to premiere On the Edge and bring viewers inside a sport defined by speed, precision, and risk,” said Lindsay Rovegno, Vice President and Executive Producer, ESPN Originals. “The series highlights the compelling stories of Olympic hopefuls from around the world, whose careers and ambitions hang in the balance of a grueling World Cup season.”

“On the Edge captures not only how alpine ski racing is evolving as a truly global sport, but also why it remains so extraordinary,” said FIS President Johan Eliasch. “Set against some of the most dramatic landscapes in the world, this series tells the human stories behind the speed, risk and precision of World Cup racing — the dedication, resilience and passion that define our athletes far beyond the finish line. By bringing these stories to life, projects like this help connect new audiences to the beauty and intensity of our sport, while driving its continued growth as we build toward Milano Cortina 2026.”

“On the Edge gives fans an authentic, behind-the-scenes look at what it truly takes to compete at the highest level of alpine ski racing,” said Sophie Goldschmidt, President & CEO of U.S. Ski & Snowboard. “Our athletes operate on the edge of human performance every time they step into the start gate, and this series captures the speed and risk required to chase Olympic dreams. This docuseries allows us to showcase our sport and athletes on a global stage.”

Featured throughout the series are Mikaela Shiffrin, USA; Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, NOR; Lindsey Vonn, USA; Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, BRA; Alice Robinson, NZL; Marco Odermatt, SUI; Sofia Goggia, ITA; Henrik Kristoffersen, NOR; Emma Aicher, GER; Dominik Paris, ITA; Clément Noël, FRA; Kajsa Vickhoff Lie, NOR; Atle Lie McGrath, NOR; Zrinka Ljutić, CRO; Ryan Cochran-Siegle, USA; James Crawford, CAN; Giovanni Franzoni, ITA; Camille Rast, SUI; Franjo von Allmen, SUI; Federica Brignone, ITA, Timon Haugan, NOR; Lara Colturi, ALB; Marco Schwarz, AUT; Julia Scheib, AUT; Sara Hector, SWE and more.

On the Edge is executive produced by Nick Fellows, Christian Salomon, Johan Eliasch, Pat Dimon, Morgan Hertzan, Dan DiStefano, Adam Marinelli, Guy Slattery, Ron Kruszewski, Jess Park and Mo Finn.

Episode Descriptions & Premiere Schedule

• Episode 1: The Starting Gate (Premieres January 30)

The alpine skiing season opens in Sölden, Austria, where the White Circus begins, with Mikaela Shiffrin, the greatest skier of all time, who, despite her dominance, finishes fourth in the opening race. Aleksander Aamodt Kilde returns to competition at Copper Mountain after nearly two years away following a devastating injury that almost ended his career and his life. Supported throughout his recovery by his fiancée, Shiffrin, Aamodt Kilde balances the physical and mental aspects of returning to the snow. Also, once a teenage phenom who beat Shiffrin at 17, New Zealand’s Alice Robinson faces Shiffrin yet again in the Copper Mountain giant slalom.

• Episode 2: Under Pressure (Premieres January 30)

In a sport dominated by Swiss and Austrian athletes, American Ryan Cochran-Siegle pushes to make his mark in downhill at Beaver Creek. Meanwhile, Brazilian skier Lucas Pinheiro Braathen reflects on a decision that once shocked the skiing world. After retiring at age 23, Pinheiro Braathen returned on his own terms, leaving Team Norway to race for Brazil. He speaks openly about growing up between two cultures and how embracing both has become his greatest strength. Meanwhile, the women’s speed season begins in St. Moritz with the long-awaited return of American Lindsey Vonn from retirement in a downhill race for the ages.

• Episode 3: Close To Home (Premieres January 30)

French skier and former Olympic medalist Clément Noël details what it’s like racing on his home course in Val d’Isère while showing off his wine collection – meanwhile, Mikaela Shiffrin and German skier Emma Aicher square off in Courchevel. Despite a delayed training day in Val Gardena, Italy’s Dominik Paris highlights his love of heavy metal music in preparation for a downhill race against one of the world’s best, Swiss skier Marco Odermatt. 

• Episode 4: Peaks And Valleys (Premieres February 6)

At just 22, German skier Emma Aicher’s trajectory is skyward, but competing across four disciplines, while boosting her overall World Cup points, takes a toll on her body and schedule. In Flachau, home of the iconic Legends Race, we meet Lara Colturi, preparing for her first Olympics. The journey then moves to the most historic events of the World Cup season, Wengen and Kitzbühel. The Swiss men’s team prepares for press and hometown pride, while Aleksander Aamodt Kilde reflects intimately on this track, having survived a near-fatal crash here. Next is Kitzbühel, home of the legendary Streif. Dominik Paris, a three-time winner, gives fans a glimpse of his famed winner’s gondola and the adoration that follows him in the streets. Marco Schwarz, riding the momentum of recent victories, is determined to extend his streak on home snow.

• Episode 5: The World’s Stage (Premieres April 10)

In the shadow of a horrific tragedy that shook the sport, Swiss favorite Camille Rast reflects on what Crans-Montana and its people mean to the community. The focus then shifts to the Olympic Games, the pinnacle of the sport. The men pack their bags for Bormio and the women for Cortina, with the world watching and national pride at its height. Can Lindsey Vonn add another Olympic medal to her legacy? Will Sofia Goggia or Dominik Paris deliver unforgettable moments on home snow? After the Olympics, the season’s intensity carries on as the World Cup Finals approach. We visit Julia Scheib in the gym, as she sits neck and neck in points with Alice Robinson, each vying for the women’s giant slalom crown. Across disciplines, Marco Odermatt fights to extend his dominance while the men’s slalom remains one of the closest battles of the season.

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About ESPN Originals
ESPN Originals are premium programs that take fans inside the biggest moments, athletes, and stories in sports. With critically acclaimed, award-winning series — including the Emmy®-winning Man in the Arena: Tom Brady, Peyton’s Places and the Places universe, In the Arena: Serena Williams, Full Court Press, and Clutch: The NBA Playoffs — ESPN Originals deliver bold perspectives and unparalleled access to the narratives that define the modern sports world. 

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Stifel U.S. Ski Team’s Ben Ritchie delivered another strong performance under the lights in Schladming, Austria, finishing 13th in the men’s night slalom. This is notably his best result of the season and comes off his previous 15th-place finish last weekend in Kitzbühel, Austria. 

“It felt good to make some good turns, with one race left in the season I am going to keep pushing,” said Ritchie. 

Ritchie attacked the Planai course with intent and composure from the opening run, skiing aggressively yet in control to put himself just inside the top 30. But he was given a great opportunity to hammer down run two and make himself a move.  In front of the chaotic Austrian crowd, Ritchie did just that. He skied to the second fastest second run and moved up from 30th to 13th place. A very solid effort on the technically demanding course. 

“It was a really hard course and the surface was super slick as well,” said Ritchie. “You really had to move and fight the whole way.” 

Also posting a notable result for the Stifel U.S. Ski Team was Luke Winters, who finished 19th to earn his first World Cup slalom points since 2023. Winters has been working extremely hard the past couple of seasons to find his way back in the top 30 slalom skiers, and this race was a great moment for him. 

The winner of the race was Norwegian Viking Henrik Kristoffersen, in second was fellow Norwegian Atle Lie McGrath and in third was Frenchman Clement Noel. 

The men’s slalom tour only has one more stop before it ends at finals in Kranjska Gora in late February. 

RESULTS
men's slalom

In the final event of the three-race series, the 20k classic, Jessie Diggins was the top American finisher, bringing home her eighth podium of the 2025-26 season and 88th of her career, with a second-place result. The result wrapped up a successful Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team weekend of racing in Goms, Switzerland with three podiums, including the team sprint podium for Gus Schumacher and Ben Ogden, an individual podium for Schumacher and one for Jessie Diggins.

Nestled into the valley below the Swiss Alps, Goms is home to one of the more challenging World Cup courses on the circuit. Similar to what the athletes will race on in the Olympic Winter Games in Val di Fiemme, the course features steep, long uphills, technical descents and little rest in a mass start format. At 5k into the race, Diggins was comfortably in the lead and setting the pace for the lead pack. 5k later, Diggins continued to sit comfortably in the lead pack, surrounded by Norway and Finland. On the final lap of the course, the pace increased, with Diggins, Norway's Astrid Oeyre Sline and Finland's Johanna Matintalo fighting for position. Into the final straightaway, it was a double pole sprint to the finish. Matintalo crossed the line first, throwing her hands in the air, securing her first-ever World Cup win. Diggins was second, only .9 seconds behind, and Slind was third. 

The podium adds another tally to Diggins' illustrious career. She now heads into the Olympics with 88 World Cup podiums and leads the overall World Cup rankings by 223 points over Sweden's Moa Ilar. Diggins also leads the World Cup distance standings, 127 points ahead of Ilar. 

For the U.S. women, Julia Kern had a strong day, in 16th place. Novie McCabe and Hailey Swirbul, who fought their way from the back of the mass start pack, were both in the top 30, in 22nd and 24th. It was McCabe's season-best World Cup result, after taking the 2024-25 season off. Kendall Kramer was the final American woman in the top 30, in 27th. Rosie Brennan was 40th and Sammy Smith 41st. 

For the men, Zak Ketterson was the leading man, in 18th. Shumacher, coming off a World Cup podium 24 hours earlier, was 22nd. Outside of the top 30, Hunter Wonders was 36th, Zanden McMullen 38th, Zach Jayne 52nd, John Steel Hagenbuch 55th and Luke Jager 59th. 

For Diggins, today was all about skiing hard for her family, friends, staff and teammates. "Today, I tried really hard to bring a little joy to people back home watching the races and to leave it all out there - and do what I can here to fight for every second and honor all the people who have been working really hard to get us good skis," she said.  

Now, the athletes will head to a pre-Olympic camp to rest and reset before the Games, which begin with the women's skiathlon on Feb. 7. 

RESULTS
Women
Men

On Sunday’s slalom in Kitzbühel, Austria, Stifel U.S. Ski Team slalom specialist Ben Ritchie rediscovered his groove, claiming 15th in the men’s slalom. 

It has been a challenging season for Ritchie. After posting career-best results in the 2024-25 season, he struggled to finish a slalom until Sunday. In front of the lively Austrian crowd, Ritchie skied with precision and confidence to land 14th on the first run from bib 31.

“It’s been a difficult season,” said Ritchie. “But today, I felt like I finally put it all together again.”

On the second run, Ritchie focused on managing the pressure and nerves that had been building throughout the season. Staying calm, he skied smart to remain within the top 15. The Olympic qualification window is already closed, which means Ritchie did not meet the criteria to make the Milano Cortina Games, but he is focused on the rest of the World Cup season. 

“With only two slalom races left, I just plan to send hard,” Ritchie said. “I know the skiing is there, and I want to finish the season strong.”

Stifel U.S. Ski Team teammates Jett Seymour and Cooper Puckett also competed but did not advance to the second run. The race was won by Austria’s Manuel Feller, cheered on by the home crowd, followed by Switzerland’s Loic Meillard in second and Germany’s Linus Strasser in third.

The men return to slalom action on Wednesday for the classic Schladming night slalom.

RESULTS
Men's slalom

Stifel U.S. Ski Team alpine star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Mikaela Shiffrin delivered another historic performance Sunday, Jan. 25, earning her 108th career World Cup victory with a dominant win in the women’s slalom at Špindlerův Mlýn. With the victory, she clinched her ninth career Crystal Globe—setting a record for most discipline globe titles won by an individual athlete. 

“This race for me is symbolizing hope, beginnings and new chapters in life,” said Shiffrin. “Something about this place is so special, I'm just always really happy to be here.” 

Shiffrin was untouchable across both runs, charging from the start and finishing 1.26 seconds ahead of the field on run one to then win the race by a total margin of 1.67, reinforcing her status as the most successful alpine skier in history. 

“I felt like there were so many things to think about during this day and I was not really thinking about the Globe, but I of course knew, it’s crazy,” said Shiffrin

The victory not only extended her all-time World Cup win record but also secured her ninth career slalom Crystal Globe, an unprecedented mark in the discipline, surpassing the previous record held by teammate Lindsey Vonn and retired great Ingemar Stenmark, who both had eight. To clinch the Globe before the Olympics underscores the sheer dominance of Shiffrin’s slalom skiing. It was her seventh slalom win this season, and 71st slalom victory of her career.

It was also an impressive day for young up-and-comer Liv Moritz, who not only earned her first World Cup points but also landed 13th with a great performance of two solid slalom runs. Mortitz adds to the long list of women who have scored points for the Stifel U.S. Ski Team this season. Mortiz is a dual sport athlete, and is also on the NCAA D1 soccer team at the University of Denver. 

“I am super happy,” said Moritz. “I was trying to go into the second run with no expectations so I am just super proud of how I did.” 

Rounding out the podium was Switzerland’s Camille Rast in second and Germany’s Emma Aicher in third.  Teammates Paula Moltzan, Nina O’Brien and AJ Hurt were all sitting in a good spot after first run, in fourth, seventh and 16th place, respectively, but did not finish second run. Katie Hensien and Elisabeth Bocock did not finish first run. All are OK.  

Following the slalom race, Shiffrin sits in first in the overall standings, extending her lead to 1,133 points, followed by Camille Rast of Switzerland and Emma Aicher of Germany. The success of the women’s tech team also extended their lead in the Nations Cup standings, with the U.S. team leading the overall standings, as well as in GS, slalom and downhill. 

Špindlerův Mlýn marked the final World Cup for tech athletes before the upcoming Milano Cortina Olympic Winter Games in Italy, Feb. 7-22. The last races take place in Crans Montana for both men and women's speed prior to the Games. 

RESULTS
Women's slalom

The Spindleruv Mlyn World Cup women’s giant slalom brought one of the strongest performances of the season from the Stifel U.S. Ski Team with Paula Moltzan charging to a second-place finish, and Mikaela Shiffrin taking third, her first time back on the giant slalom podium in 735 days. 

The strong results continued throughout the top 10, with Nina O’Brien snagging her career-best result in fifth and AJ Hurt in eighth. 

“Coming to the finish line and seeing Paula and Nina right there was crazy. I’ve never experienced that in my career—that was an indescribable moment,” said Shiffrin. 

On a technically demanding course in the Czech Republic, the women delivered two composed and powerful runs. Moltzan skied aggressively from start to finish, moving from fifth place in the first run to earn her third career World Cup podium in giant slalom behind winner Sara Hector from Sweden. It is Moltzan’s fourth podium of the season.

“I am really happy and counting down for my first win, but I am also so excited for my team right now—four girls in the top eighth, it's just amazing,” said Moltzan. 

Shiffrin, who has been a consistent top five giant slalom finisher during the 2025-26 season, crossed the line a mere five one hundredths behind Moltzan to complete the two-three American result. It was a moment of both relief and excitement, as Shiffrin has been building back her giant slalom skiing since sustaining a puncture wound at the Stifel Killington Cup in November 2024. She has also been vocal about the PTSD she has been working through since the crash. Her last GS podium was January 20, 2024, in Jasna, Slovakia. 

“It’s been over two years since I was on a giant slalom podium, and it’s been more than one year since I believed I could be on the podium in giant slalom,” said Shiffrin. 

This double podium and four women in the top eight not only highlight the depth and competitiveness of the Stifel U.S. Ski Team women in giant slalom but also underscore the team’s momentum as the season builds toward the Olympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina. The women’s team leads the standings in the overall Nations Cup, as well as the giant slalom, slalom and downhill disciplines. 

“Everybody is excited and positive and cheering for each other,” said Shiffrin. “But to find the balance between this team spirit and then the individual competitive spirit, it's really hard, and I feel like our team is doing that, which is just so wonderful to be part of.”

Katie Hensien and Elisabeth Bocock both skied fast, but did not finish the first run. They are OK. The women race the final slalom before the Olympic Winter Games on Sunday in Spindleruv Mlyn.

RESULTS
Giant slalom