Press release courtesy of Skida.

Burlington, VT - Salt Lake City, UT (December 5, 2023) - Skida and the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team are proud to announce a multi-year partnership, extending through the 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. As part of the partnership, Skida and U.S. Ski & Snowboard are launching a co-branded line of hats, neck warmers and headbands.

Skida has also long been connected to U.S. Ski & Snowboard through Skida’s Athlete Collaboration Program, supporting multiple U.S. Ski & Snowboard athletes for several years, including Paula Moltzan and Ryan Cochran-Siegle of the Stifel U.S. Alpine Ski Team, Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team athlete Julia Kern and Hannah Soar of the Stifel U.S. Freestyle Ski Team moguls team. 

Skida and U.S. Ski & Snowboard are excited to bring this partnership to the next level with Skida as an official licensee, as well as teaming up to design an exclusive line of co-branded hats, neck warmers and athletic headbands featuring a deep blue and red print called ‘Pinnacle.’ The collection will be available for purchase at www.skida.com on Dec. 5, 2023. 

Established in 2008 by founder Corinne Prevot, Skida was established with the core principle of embracing a "fresh perspective,” and it's this very mindset that the U.S. Ski & Snowboard embodies in every competition. 

“This partnership with the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team is rooted in a long-term connection with the athletes and now allows us to further partner with different aspects of the team,” said Prevot. “For example, clad in U.S. Ski & Snowboard logos, our new Neon Waves print was selected for the XC coaches on the sidelines so their athletes can spot them in the feed zone and alongside the course!”

“We’re so excited to roll out the new Skida x U.S. Ski & Snowboard print,” said Trisha Worthington, Chief Revenue Officer at U.S. Ski & Snowboard. “And look to continue supporting the Skida Athlete Collaboration Program.” 

Stifel U.S. Alpine Ski Team athlete Paula Moltzan on going into her fifth year as a Skida athlete, “It requires a lot of people coming together to make it all happen. Working with the team at Skida is a treat!” 

Skida has launched two out of four of their athlete collections thus far this year including Paula Moltzan’s latest #ThePaulaProject Midsommar print, and Julia Kern’s #JuliasJourney Hot Stuff collection. Collections with Ryan Cochran-Siegle and Hannah Soar are launching in December 2023 before the holidays. 

About Skida 
Founded in 2008 by Corinne Prevot, Skida® offers an assortment of outdoor headwear and accessories that are performance-made, playful statements of self expression. Skida’s accessories provide style and function through whimsical patterns and performance materials. Nestled in the heart of Burlington, Vermont, their headquarters is home to distribution, production, planning, and design. Skida is dedicated to reducing its environmental impact through domestic production, using recycled materials, and upcycling fabrics into new and innovative accessories. To learn more about Skida’s fresh perspective, visit www.skida.com. 

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 2023, competing in ten teams; alpine, cross country, freeski, freestyle moguls, freestyle aerials, snowboard, nordic combined, Para snowboard, Para alpine, and ski jumping. In addition to the fully-funded 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

Stifel U.S. Alpine Ski Team Mikaela Shiffrin notched her 41st career World Cup giant slalom podium Sunday, Dec. 3, in the Tremblant giant slalom with a third place finish. Teammate AJ Hurt scored a ninth place finish, her first top ten and career best World Cup result and to round out the tremendous day for the Stifel U.S. Ski Team, Paula Moltzan landed within the top-20 in 15th. Shiffrin's 41st podium now ties her with U.S. legend Ted Ligety for the most World Cup giant slalom podiums. 

In Tremblant, in front of a huge Canadian crowd, the conditions were challenging for the skiers with heavy snow accumulating and a variable surface underneath. Despite the conditions, Shiffrin came out of the start gate blazing, with the second fastest run on the first run, a mere 0.05 seconds behind the first run leader Petra Vhlova. Hurt ran bib 37 and ripped down the track, crossing the finish in the 17th position; Moltzan skied into 25th. 

On the second run, the snow started to come in making the conditions more of a challenge for all athletes. Moltzan ran first for the U.S. and skied strong and aggressive - she moved up ten spots to 15th place.

“First run was a disappointment but the second run felt a lot better and the course set was better,” said Moltzan, post race. “It's nice to wrap up a good two weeks in North America!” 

Hurt was next for the team and she was fast racing into the top position. Hurt sat in the hot seat after her second run, taking it all in. At the end of the day, she not only landed a career best result but a top ten in a stacked World Cup giant slalom. 

“I have been feeling good training waiting to put together two runs in a race,” said Hurt. “The confidence from Killington helped and I knew I could do it.” 

With the snow and wind picking up and quickly dampening the visibility, the last three races were ready. Out of the gate, Shiffrin skied strong and at the bottom, moved one spot back to a podium placement, crossing the line in third. The Italian giant slalom force Federica Brignone took her second win of the weekend with Swiss skier Lara Gut ended the weekend in second. 

The women will now head back to Europe with a speed series in St. Moritz, Switzerland, Dec. 8-10. 

RESULTS
Giant slalom

The Stifel U.S. Freestyle Ski Team aerials athletes kicked off the 2023-24 World Cup season this morning, Dec. 3, in Ruka Finland and landed seven in the top-10. 

Ruka is a newer stop on the aerials circuit, being added to the schedule consistently back in  2021. The team has been stopping in Ruka for preseason training for years and it has now become a familiar hill for the Stifel U.S. Freestyle Ski Team aerials athletes. The venue offers athletes to get comfortable with new tricks and try new jumps in competition as they enter a new season.

Chris Lillis led the American men and placed fourth among a strong field of competitors.

Next for the strong American team was Quinn Dehlinger and Derek Krueger, who finished in ninth and 11th in finals. Connor Curran finished 16th and Justin Shoenefeld 19th. Ian Schoenwald and Ashton Salwan of Park City Ski & Snowboard are racing out the men's side, finishing in 23rd and 26th, respectively. 

"It was one of my best starts to the season so far and I was happy with my performance" said Lillis. "A fourth place will hopefully be a stepping stone to making a run at the Crystal Globe. Next up I’m looking towards having a solid week of training before our next event in China!"

It was an exciting day for the women, with four making it to the finals. Dani Loeb tied her personal best World Cup result with a fifth place, and teammate Kaila Kuhn followed in sixth. Outside the super finals was Winter Vinecki in eighth and Tasia Tanner in 10th. However, aside from the results, the day was highlighted by Vinecki competing on the triple jump for the first time -  this is a skill that is rare in the women’s field. 

"I feel more confident in myself than ever as jumper and am having so much fun hitting the triple" said Vinecki. "I am eager to see what the rest of the season holds and beyond!"

Next up, the aerials athletes will head to Changchun, China for their next World Cup event Dec. 16-17. 

RESULTS
Women
Men

Sunday’s Xfinity Birds of Prey super-G was canceled due to heavy winds and an unfortunate outlook in the forecast.  Despite the huge effort of volunteers and coure crew, Friday, Saturday and Sunday’s races have all been canceled. 

The race was initially put on an inspection delay for the jury to further assess the conditions. After a long deliberation by the jury and organizing committee members, it was ultimately called off. But the jury and organizing committee want to thank all the hours that the volunteers and course workers put in to try and make these races possible. 

The next men’s speed races will be in Val Gardena, Italy. 

Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team athlete and two-time Olympic gold medalist, Lindsey Jacobellis finished in sixth place in the first snowboard cross World Cup races of the season in Les Deux Alpes (L2A). 

It was a stunning winter day with plenty of snow and sun in the French Alps after a week of tough weather conditions that ultimately led to qualifications getting moved from Friday, Dec. 1 to today, Dec. 3. The experienced legend, Jacobellis, took on the 10 challenging features of the race course to make her way through qualifications, quarterfinals, semifinals and ultimately small finals, finishing in sixth. This comes only a day after her third place finish with teammate Jake Vedder in the snowboard cross mixed team event. 

"Les Deux Alpes really went out on a great race," said Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team snowboard cross Head Coach Rob Fagan. "Incredible work effort from the organizers to handle all the wild weather and snow. I am proud of the team with their efforts. The athletes kept focus and determination throughout the week. The team race yesterday and today’s individual race showed how deep our talent is on the team. Our veteran and new young guns will be a podium threat all season."

Six athletes made the finals, Lindsey Jacobellis sixth, Stacy Gaskill 11th, Cody Winters 12th, Senna Leith 13th, Jake Vedder 21st and Nathan Pare 31st. 

Bri Schnorrbusch, Tyler Hamel, Nick Baumgartner, Boden Gerry and Connor Schlegel were also in L2A to compete but did not qualify for finals.

Up next, the team travels to Cervinia, Italy on Dec. 15-17. 

RESULTS
Men's snowboard cross
Women's snowboard cross
 

The most recent World Cup held in Gällivare, Sweden, was 12 years ago. It marked a significant milestone for the U.S. women's team, as they secured their first-ever team relay podium, led by a 21-year-old Jessie Diggins. Fast forward to December 3, 2023, and the U.S. women once again stood on the podium in third place. This time, the team was led by the now-veteran Jessie Diggins and Rosie Brennan, alongside Sophia Laukli and Julia Kern.

On a cold and blustery day during the second day of racing in northern Sweden, the stands and course were packed with enthusiastic fans. It was relay day, where each nation assembled one to two teams of four athletes each, with two athletes skiing a classic leg and two skating. The atmosphere was festive, with USA athletes, techs and coaches donning blue and red relay socks, face paint and glitter. 

Breaking down the women's 4x7.5k team relay, Jessie Diggins, coming off a victory in the previous day's 10k skate, led the U.S. women's team. Each athlete completed two laps of the challenging 3.5k course, featuring technical turns, fast downhills and little room for rest. Diggins set a blistering pace from the start, handing over to teammate Brennan, who extended the lead further. Laukli and Kern continued the strong performance, maintaining a top-three position. Crossing the finish line, the U.S. women secured third place behind Germany and Sweden. 

Post-race, Jessie Diggins expressed her pride in being part of the team relays and witnessing the evolution of the team over the years. 

"One of the things I am most proud of in my career is being part of the team relays, and seeing how the team has changed year after year," said Diggins, post race. "But then some things haven't changed! We still have the relay socks, the face paint, the glitter... and then all of these amazing women that are coming up and putting their heart and soul into this team and racing so hard - it's so cool to see. Seeing the fire in their eyes and seeing them give everything they had makes me so proud, knowing we're doing it all together." 

In the men's 4x7.5k team relay, it was a historic and thrilling day for the U.S. men's team, with both USA teams (USA #1 and USA #2) achieving top results. USA #1, comprised of Ben Ogden, Gus Schumacher, Scott Patterson and Zanden McMullen, finished fifth, breaking a 20-year top-five drought. USA #2 included Luke Jager, Zak Ketterson, Johnny Hagenbuch and JC Schoonmaker. 

The race featured both USA teams setting the pace. On the first leg, Ogden of USA #1 and Jager of USA #2 set a strong pace, then Schumacher (USA #1) and Ketterson (USA #2) then worked together in leg two, and strong performances from Patterson (USA #1) and Hagenbuch (USA #2) rounded out leg three; Hagenbuch skied on the fastest legs of the day when comparing final times. McMullen (USA #1), secured a fifth-place finish, while Schoonmaker (USA #2) crossed the line in eighth.

Reflecting on the day, McMullen emphasized the comfort of camaraderie within the team. "I think being such good friends and being so close to your teammates," he said. "It relieves a lot of pressure and feels very familiar."

Looking ahead, Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team program director Chris Grover highlighted the potential of this strong men's team. 

"Today we got yet another glimpse of the true potential of this men’s team in relays," he said. "We’ve known the talent is there given their World Junior Championship relay medal pedigree, and we know we need patience as these men make the step to World Cup and build critical experience. In the next seasons, these men will clearly challenge for the podium. We’re likely on the cusp of a period of truly inspiring USA men’s success. It’s also very exciting to see the team in third place overall in the Nation’s Cup after two hard weekends of racing in Scandinavia."

Next up, the team travels to Östersund, Sweden for the third week of World Cup racing. 

RESULTS
Women
Men

The Stifel U.S. Freestyle Ski Team moguls athletes kicked off the 2023-24 World Cup season today in Ruka, Finland, with Liz Lemley and Olivia Giaccio going two-three on the podium. The American women also packed six into the top 10, and swept second through fifth place.

It was the fourth World Cup podium for both Lemley and Giaccio and a personal best result in moguls for Lemley, topping her previous best of third in Alpe d’Huez in 2022. 

Ruka is a staple on the moguls circuit, held annually starting in 2011, and consistently provides great results for the Stifel U.S. Freestyle Team. Back in 2021, Giaccio earned her first World Cup win in Ruka in women’s moguls. 

“For the first event of the year, my strategy was simply to have fun and put my best effort into executing my plan that my coaches and I set out to accomplish,” said Giaccio. “I wanted to go big on my jumps, nail my landings, and ski aggressively - and I was able to do that when it counted!” 

It was an overall great day for the U.S women’s team, with six athletes making it to the final. Just off the podium, Hannah Soar in fourth, Jaelin Kauf in fifth, Tess Johnson in eighth and Alli Macuga in 10th. Kai Owens finished in 19th. Impressively, during a practice run on Friday, Macuga took a fall and fractured her hand, but still competed and earned a top 10. 

It was Johnson’s first World Cup event back from back surgery this summer. Her eighth place finish is a testament to her dedication and strength. 

“I’m so stoked on today! It was everything I could have hoped for with qualifying in fifth and competing finals with a bottom air cork. It makes me hungry for more, but I’m taking the day to celebrate how far I’ve come since back surgery in April,” said Johnson. “Also I’m so very proud of my teammates for skiing so well and inspiring me every day. It’s an honor to be a part of this team.”

On the men’s side, Dylan Walczyk finished in 13th, Cole McDonald in 17th, Landon Wendler in 19th, Dylan Marcellini in 25th and Nick Page in 37th.  

Up next, the team will travel to Idre Fjäll, Sweden to compete in moguls and dual moguls December 7-9th. 

RESULTS
Women
Men

Mikaela Shiffrin placed third on Saturday’s giant slalom in Tremblant, Canada, marking her 142nd World Cup podium. Stifel U.S. Ski Team athlete Paula Moltzan finished 13th.

The Canadian fans crowded the stands of the Tremblant venue, a new World Cup stop, as the world’s best giant slalom women skiers raced down the terrain-packed hill. Shiffrin ran third, taking the fifth spot after the first run with a clean run. Moltzan ran 14th first run with a few bobbles, and sat in 11th position after run one. 

“It was quite nice to ski,” said Shiffrin after the first run. “It looks straightforward but there is actually a lot of terrain. I feel like we have not skied a hill like this before so it's nice to learn it.”

On the second run, the roar of the Tremblant crowd could be heard from the start. The terrain and a tricky course set tripped up quite a few racers. Moltzan skied well again with a few mistakes that ended up costing her overall time, finishing in 13th place. 

“My skiing was medium today," said Moltzan. "I had a few mistakes in the first and second run. The snow is challenging but the hill is not, so those small mistakes made for a tough day. But I am excited to get back out here tomorrow.” 

Shiffrin was next for the Stifel U.S. Ski Team out of the start and she knifed the course, gaining momentum and speed as she approached the finish line. Shiffrin ultimately ended up in third place, her 142nd World Cup podium. Italian skier Federica Brignone won the race with Slovakia's Petra Vlhova in second place. 

“It was a wonderful day. I started off feeling unsure about the terrain and hill, but on the second run I really tried to push,” said Shiffrin. “You really can't make a mistake, so good stuff from my giant slalom skiing. I will have more confidence tomorrow.”

Stifel U.S. Ski Team members AJ Hurt and Elisabeth Bocok also raced: Hurt did not finish the first run and Bocock did not qualify for the second run, ending up in 47th position after run one. 

The women will race giant slalom in Tremblant again Sunday. 

RESULTS
Giant slalom 

HOW TO WATCH

11:00 a.m. - Tremblant World Cup, women’s giant slalom, run 1, skiandsnowboard.live
2:15 p.m. - Tremblant World Cup, women’s giant slalom, run 2, skiandsnowboard.live

Saturday's Xfinity Birds of Prey downhill was canceled due to heavy snowfall Friday night, strong winds and the forecast. Friday's downhill was also canceled due to weather.

The race was initially put on a delay for the jury to further assess the conditions. After a long deliberation by the jury and organizing committee members, it was ultimately called off. 

The Xfinity Birds of Prey races will resume Sunday for a super-G. 

HOW TO WATCH 

Sunday, Dec. 3 - super-G
12:45 p.m. – LIVE on Outside (free)
4:30 p.m. – super-G (delayed) on NBC
On demand: Outside+ 

Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team athletes Jake Vedder and Lindsey Jacobellis secured third place in the big final of the snowboard cross (SBX) World Cup season opener mixed team event in Les Deux Alpes (L2A).

Weather posed the most significant challenge at the L2A resort, situated at the highest snowboard cross course on the World Cup circuit. Originally scheduled for Friday, Dec. 1, individual competition qualifications were rescheduled due to tough weather conditions. Consequently, the snowboard cross weekend schedule underwent a slight change, with individual competition moved to Sunday, Dec. 3, and the newly added mixed team event taking its place on Saturday, Dec. 2.

Despite a challenging cold start and extremely difficult visibility towards the end, Vedder and Jacobellis navigated the steep and jumpy course, progressing through the quarterfinals and semifinals to secure a spot in the big finals. In the final race, Vedder faced a fast-paced challenge, finishing fourth with only half a second to catch up. Jacobellis, the most decorated female snowboard cross athlete of all time, tackled the course, making up time. Upon entering the cloud at the course's end, Jacobellis experienced a slight loss of speed and went over the heel edge. Despite the setback, she recovered and secured a third place finish for Team USA.

The first win of the season went to Great Britain’s Huw Nightingale and Charlotte Banks, with France’s Loan Bozzolo and Chloe Trespeuch securing second place.

Nick Baumgartner and Stacy Gaskill also participated in the mixed team event, finishing 11th overall.

Next up, men’s and women’s individual competition snowboard cross finals in Les Deux Alpes tomorrow, Sunday, Dec. 3. Watch LIVE on skiandsnowboard.live. 

RESULTS
Mixed Team Snowboard Cross