On Sunday’s World Championships men's downhill Stifel U.S. Ski Team athletes Bryce Bennett and Ryan Cochran-Siegle landed 10th and 13th to cap off the busy week of speed in Saalbach. 

It was an emotional roller coaster of a week for the U.S. team coming off the incredible performance by teammate Breezy Johnson the day prior, along with Cochran-Siegle’s stellar training runs. The pressure was on from the start with many eyes looking to the U.S. speed team. However, Cochran-Siegle could not find the same execution as he had done earlier in the week. He had to settle for a top-15 finish. 

“It was a mental battle today,” said Cochran-Siegle. “I feel like the opportunity was definitely there, and I knew that I really just tried to focus on skiing. It's obviously a high-pressure environment, and I tried to embrace it as best as possible but fell short.” 

Bennett was able to find speed in his run to at first ski into third. Bennett ultimately fell back to 10th but was overall pleased with his efforts - looking forward to the next few weeks of racing. 

“My mindset currently is shifting to winning and trying to win every single weekend,” said Bennett. “I haven't quite figured out exactly how to do that, and that's just gonna be a little bit of a process.” 

It was a big day for the Swiss as youngster Franjo Von Allmen in the golden position with Austrian veteran Vincent Kreichmayr with silver and Swiss Alexis Monney with the bronze. Stifel U.S. Ski Team athletes Jared Goldberg and Sam Morse also raced landing in 24th and 36th. 

The next event for the men will be the brand new event - Team Combined - on Wednesday. 

RESULTS
men's downhill

On Saturday’s World Championships downhill in Saalbach, Austria, Stifel U.S. Ski Team athlete Breezy Johnson knifed her run to claim gold and become the 2025 downhill world champion. 

“It has not sunk in yet,” said Johnson. “I've just been trying to ski my best all weekend. I really tried to throw down today.”

It was another day of sun in Saalbach and once again the track proved invincible, even after three downhill training runs. Johnson had already set a solid pace in the training runs earlier in the week and knew what she needed to do to execute the plan and ski her best. To add to the narrative, Johnson ran wearing bib one, truly setting the pace for the rest of the skiers. She pushed hard from the start to come down with a final time that was a full second faster than her training runs. It was clear that this would be a tough one to beat. 

“I came to Cortina for my second World Championships. I hip checked and I won three splits, but that was not gonna work with a hip check so I didn't walk away with a medal,” said Johnson. “Then I came into Meribel with the green light and I fell, so it's been a long time coming. But if you keep trying then maybe one day you'll get it.” 

Skier after skier came down the course and could not hold a candle to Johnson. It was not until fellow teammate and super-G bronze medalist Lauren Macuga came blazing down with fast splits up top that had the crowd on the edge of their seats. Macuga landed in fifth.

“I put forward my best skiing, and I couldn't be more excited,” said Macuga. “It's so cool to see our team thriving like this. We've been building it up and now we get to represent such a strong team.”

Finally the speed queen herself Lindsey Vonn landed in 15th place. After a fall a few days ago, Vonn skied impressively at the top for a good result. 

“For me it was important to be at the start and be clear minded and be able to execute under pressure. It is good preparation for next year for the Olympics,” said Vonn. “I'm so happy for Breezy and also Lauren in the super-G… Our team is really, really strong so it's going to be a fun season to prepare for with all these girls that are so fast.” 

Jackie Wiles also raced, but did not finish. She is OK. 

Ultimately it was a day to celebrate the newfound world champion Breezy Johnson. An emotional Johnson was overwhelmed with the celebrations and hugs that she broke down crying in the leaderboard chair in disbelief. The sweetest moment was when she called her parents on the phone and was overcome with excitement. 

Johnson has always been a force in women’s speed but never stood on top of a World Cup podium or World Championships podium until now. She is a two-time Olympian with seven World Cup podiums to her name and now a World Championships victory to her list of accolades. 

The women’s speed team has had a Cinderella story the past few days with a bronze medal by Macuga in the super-G and now a gold by Johnson. More women’s speed will still come with the team combined early next week. 

The men will now take on the track on Super Bowl Sunday with men’s downhill. 

RESULTS
Women's downhill

HOW TO WATCH 
Saturday, Feb. 8
3:00 p.m. ET - women’s World Championships downhill, Saalbach, AUT - NBC Tape Delay

Sunday, Feb. 9
5:30 a.m. ET - men’s World Championships downhill, Saalbach, AUT - skiandsnowboard.live 

On Friday’s World Championships super-G in Saalbach, Austria, Stifel U.S. Ski Team veteran speed skiers Ryan Cochran-Siegle and Bryce Bennett were the top U.S. finishers in seventh and 15th place. 

“It was a really fun set,” said Cochran-Siegle. “The snow is very nice and you can do whatever you want, so feeling that environment and the pressure to build on that energy was really fun.”

It was another beautiful winter day in Saalbach with cloudy skies and sun popping in and out. The first American to go was Jared Goldberg with bib two. Goldberg found it difficult to see where he was going in some blind spots and made a few errors - which ultimately led to a 25th place finish.

Next up was Ryan Cochran-Siegle with bib 18. Cochran-Siegle was poised to be the top American after two very fast downhill training runs. He went out of the gate firing, doing his best to generate speed. Cochran-Siegle was on par with the top skiers but a tiny mistake at the end may have cost him the podium. He landed seventh just 0.15 out from a bronze medal. 

“I am happy with the skiing I was able to do knowing that my best skiing is enough. I'm just trying to really just enjoy that,” said Cochran-Siegle.

Teammate Bryce Bennett also put on a strong super-G performance for a skier more known for his downhill abilities. He had some confident turns to land in 15th place. 

“To stand in the start gate knowing that if you've executed everything 100%, you could actually be on the podium was a good feeling,” said Bennett. “I haven't really had that feeling in super-G before.” 

However it was a golden day for Swiss skier Marco Odermatt who outpaced the field by a second. The results list following Odermatt were stacked with a half-second between the top 10 skier. The silver medal was awarded to Austrian Raphael Haaser with Norwegian Adrian Sejersted in bronze. 

Stifel U.S. Ski Team athlete River Radamus also raced and landed in 19th place. The World Championships event continues with the women’s downhill Saturday and men’s downhill on Super Bowl Sunday. 

RESULTS
Men's super-G

HOW TO WATCH 

Saturday, Feb. 8
5:30 a.m. ET - women’s World Championships downhill, Saalbach, AUT - skiandsnowboard.live  

In Thursday’s first World Championships speed race in Saalbach, Austria, 22-year-old Stifel U.S. Ski Team athlete Lauren Macuga won the bronze medal in the super-G. It was her first World Championships start and makes her the youngest skier to win a World Champs medal in a speed event in 12 years.

“It was all about that mentality and you can hear me talk to myself, like ‘come on, give it everything you got,’” said Macuga. “Coming down that course I knew there would be some big jumps and crucial parts, so I was just trusting the line and going for it.” 

It was a beautiful sunny day with a perfect race surface. The women had already skied the slope twice with two downhill training runs earlier in the week, and with their head coach setting the super-G, they were prepared for a big day. 

Macuga was the first U.S. skier for the team wearing bib 14 and she sent it from the top. She lost a little bit of time in the middle, but skied to the line to tie Norwegian Kajsa Lie for third. 

“Coming into this year, I was just hoping to make the team,” Macuga said. “It’s just cool to see that I’m figuring out how to do it more and more consistently.”

Macuga comes from an impressive family, with three daughters all on the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team. While her father and sister Alli are in Park City while Alli competes in moguls at the Intermountain Health Freestyle International presented by Stifel at Deer Valley and her sister Sam competes at the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup in Lake Placid, mother Amy was in the finish in Saalbach. Lauren and her mother had an emotional moment in the finish after her run. 

“Oh my gosh to have my mom in the finish here - it's so fun and such a cool experience,” said Macuga. 

Macuga has become a consistent contender in the speed disciplines this season. She won her first World Cup in the St. Anton super-G in early January, which was also her first World Cup podium. In Beaver Creek at the Stifel Birds of Prey, she also claimed a personal best downhill result in fourth. Now she has earned her first World Championships medal in her first appearance at the biannual event. 

Austrian fans had an exciting day with Stephanie Venier claiming the top spot with a gold. Italy’s Federica Brignone claimed the silver medal position. Stifel U.S. Ski Team athletes Breezy Johnson and Keely Cashman also raced hard in the super-G. Johnson landed in 19th with Cashman in 24th. Teammate Lindsey Vonn had a few strong splits on her run until she hooked a gate with her arm and was thrown out. She did not finish but is OK. 

Next on the docket for the World Championships event is the men’s super-G on Friday. 

RESULTS
Women's super-G

HOW TO WATCH 
5:30 a.m. ET - men’s World Championships super-G, Saalbach, AUT - skiandsnowboard.live  

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, [email protected]
Leigh Capozzi, Protect Our Winters, [email protected] 

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, an Audi FIS Alpine World 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 breath 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 crossing 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