U.S. Nationals

The 2020-21 season kicked off last month with a flurry of high-level competition at Copper Mountain.  Two races were held in each event, one National Championship and one FIS, and many athletes notched personal best results.  It was exciting for domestic athletes to be able to race toe-to-toe with U.S. Ski Team members to start the year.  Congratulations to the juniors who achieved podium-level results: Isaiah Nelson (USST/BHSC), AJ Hurt (USST/SVST), Allie Resnick (USST/SSCV), and Ava Sunshine Jemison (BMA). There was a tremendous amount of momentum for the whole country coming out of the series, and a special thanks goes to Copper Mountain for hosting such exceptional races! 
 

Copper Speed Projects

Directly after the U.S. Nationals finished, U.S. Ski & Snowboard hosted open, club-facilitated developmental speed training on the Copper Mountain Speed Center.  Coaches from around the western U.S. brought U14, U16, and FIS-level athletes to work through a speed progression under the leadership of U.S. Ski & Snowboard staff.  Reaching 200 athletes over the course of 10 days, the athletic focus was on basic speed skills: jumping, gliding, aerodynamics, and skiing over terrain.  The FIS athletes had the bonus of finishing their five-day training block with two SG races under blue-bird skies.

COVID-19

Both the U.S. Nationals and the Copper SG races featured extensive COVID mitigation measures to ensure that the races were run as safely as possible.  For the Nationals, every athlete, coach, and official was tested upon entry, and then again once more during the week.  For the FIS SG races, every athlete, coach, and official was required to complete a daily health check before arriving at the venue.  In each case, it was successfully shown that ski racing can move forward with thoughtful steps taken to mitigate congestion points at the start, finish, and on course during inspection.  Granted, there is risk with almost any activity we undertake in this pandemic, but as an individual, naturally socially-distanced, outdoor sport, alpine ski racing has distinct advantages that should allow us to continue doing what we love this winter! 

In spite of the successful precedent established at Copper, we are having difficulties hosting races this December.  Some of the challenges have been weather-related, but in other cases, the local restrictions have been too strict for us to operate.  Still, it is encouraging to see the Western Region moving forward with FIS races in Jackson, WY this week, and we will look to build on that example after the holidays. 

In spite of all the challenges the COVID-19 pandemic has wrought, the stark reality has forced us to be thankful for what’s most important: our collective health, the chance to remain engaged at work and school, and the opportunities we have to enjoy the outdoors.  This winter, more than ever, skiing will prove to be a vital part of our lives.  The slow start to the racing season is only a small hiccup in the larger picture and one that has the side benefit of allowing our athletes to train more and hone their skills for the long-term.  Let’s all work together to make the most of the current situation.

American Tara Geraghty-Moats won the first-ever women’s FIS Nordic Combined World Cup in Ramsau, Austria, Friday.

“This is something that I have dreamed about since I was about 10 years old,” she said after prevailing by 1.5 seconds over Norwegian Gyda Westvold Hansen, who had a 39-second advantage over the American going into the 5k cross country portion after scoring the highest in the ski jump. Tara finished fifth in the jumping portion and then had the fastest skiing time at 13:19.3 to seal the victory. Anju Nakamura of Japan was third.

The two-time Continental Cup champion came into the event a bit unsure of her jumping, but in the end, she relied on her experience to propel her to victory and the record books. 

“Coming into this competition I was really uncertain of myself because I had not put a bib on in 10 months,” she said, “and I had 10% of my ski jumping training that I had hoped to have. But all day long I just kept telling myself that I could do it one step at a time.”

Three other Americans also competed. Annika Malacinski was 28th, Alexa Brabec finished 29th, and Tess Arnone was 30th. 

Two other World Cup Nordic combined stops that were to include men’s and women’s events this season have been canceled amid the coronavirus pandemic. The first women’s nordic combined event is scheduled for February at the FIS World Nordic Ski Championships in Oberstdorf, Germany.

“A huge thanks to my team and the FIS for finally inviting the women to the big leagues,” Tara added.

RESULTS
Women’s Nordic Combined

Ryan Cochran-Siegle led the way for the U.S. men in Val Gardena, Italy, finishing in eighth place—his first top 10 in a FIS World Cup super-G.

Val Gardena’s striking beauty didn’t distract last season’s overall World Cup champion Aleksander Aamodt Kilde of Norway, who took the win ahead of 2019-20 super-G globe winner Mauro Caviezel of Switzerland. Kjetil Jansrud of Norway was also on the podium in third—his sixth super-G podium in Val Gardena in the last seven seasons.

Ryan skied a clean and fast line on Val Gardena’s dark Saslong track to take his first top-10 result in the discipline. He had threatened a number of times last season, snagging three top 20s in the Beaver Creek, Saalbach-Hinterglemm and Hinterstoder super-Gs before the season ended early, and was excited to finally crack the elusive result bracket.

“My main focus was just to carry speed as much as I could—trusting that, not trying to be perfect and letting it go, letting it flow,” said Ryan. “I think I executed in places pretty well. Obviously still a good amount of time off the top Norwegian, so there’s still a lot to learn, but I had fun with it and trusted it and really enjoyed it. I think between my set up and approach to the whole day, it was a good day.”

Behind Ryan, Jared Goldberg attacked from bib 57 to take home 23rd place—his best super-G result since 2018. Keep an eye out for him in Saturday’s downhill. He won the first training run and was fourth in the second and he wants that result.

Travis Ganong, who was fourth in last week’s Val d’Isere super-G, also finished in the points, taking 25th place. Bryce Bennett was 33rd.

Sam DuPratt was also scheduled to race in Val Gardena, however, he crashed and sustained bilateral lower extremity injuries in the second of two downhill training runs. He has been treated locally and will return to the U.S. for further care. He is amazing everyone with his resilience.

Also missed in Val Gardena is Steven Nyman, who holds the title “King of the Saslong,” as he’s won three times (all three of his World Cup victories) on the track and has four top 10s. Steven is currently recovering from an injury home in Park City, but provided his teammates advice for the weekend’s races.

Next up, the men race downhill on Saturday in Val Gardena.

RESULTS
Men’s super-G

HOW TO WATCH
All Times EST

Saturday, Dec. 19
5:45 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Men's Downhill - LIVE, Val Gardena, ITA, Broadcast Olympic Channel
5:45 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Men's Downhill - LIVE, Val Gardena, ITA, Streaming Peacock
10:30 p.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Men's Downhill - Same Day Broadcast, Val Gardena, ITA, Broadcast NBCSN

Sunday, Dec. 20
4:00 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Men's Giant Slalom, run 1 - LIVE, Alta Badia, ITA, Streaming Peacock
7:00 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Men's Giant Slalom, run 2 - LIVE, Alta Badia, ITA, Streaming Peacock
7:30 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Men's Giant Slalom - LIVE, Alta Badia, ITA, Broadcast Olympic Channel
11:00 p.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Men's Giant Slalom - Same Day Broadcast, Alta Badia, ITA, Broadcast NBCSN

Monday, Dec. 21
4:00 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Men's Slalom, run 1 - LIVE, Alta Badia, ITA, Streaming Peacock
7:00 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Men's Slalom, run 2 - LIVE, Alta Badia, ITA, Streaming Peacock
7:00 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Men's Slalom - LIVE, Alta Badia, ITA, Broadcast NBCSN

Tuesday, Dec. 22
2:30 p.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Men's Slalom, run 1 - LIVE, Madonna di Campiglio, ITA, Streaming Peacock
2:30 p.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Men's Slalom, run 2 - LIVE, Madonna di Campiglio, ITA, Streaming Peacock
2:30 p.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Men's Slalom - LIVE, Madonna di Campiglio, ITA, Broadcast Olympic Channel

On a sunny day in Val d’Isere, France, Breezy Johnson grabbed her first FIS Ski World Cup podium to lead three Land Rover U.S. Alpine Ski Team athletes into the top 25—including Keely Cashman in 17th from bib 46 to grab her career-first World Cup points. 

It was a tough day with a lot of brutal crashes in Val d’Isere, including four athletes in the top 25 and American Alice McKennis. Alice skied down following her crash but will sit out Saturday’s downhill and Sunday’s super-G as she undergoes further evaluation. Both Austria's Nicole Schmidhofer and Italy's Federica Brignone crashed, causing significant course holds for Breezy, but she wasn't phased. The races was tight in the top three, with Switzerland’s Corinne Suter in first, by .11 seconds over Italy’s Sofia Goggia in second place, followed by Breezy in third, .20 seconds off the pace. 

Breezy started the week off strong, finishing second in the first downhill training run on Wednesday, and winning the second of two downhill training runs on Thursday by a massive six tenths. Breezy’s go for broke style served her well in Friday’s race, but it still hasn’t hit her. “I don’t think anything has sunk in yet, so I think I’m probably just going to keep it that way and just keep working towards tomorrow,” she reflected post-race. “The snow in most places was actually a lot better, it was just a little bumpier in some spots, and a lot faster with the race wax and everybody going for it. It was a good race.”

If you watch Breezy, her approach to downhill resembles Olympic champion Picabo Street’s hard-charging style. Mentally tough and physically strong, Breezy is destined for the top of the podium. “I was happy with it...I try to go out and ski 100% every day,” she added. “There were a few mistakes for sure, and places to clean up for tomorrow and I’ll keep working, but I’m obviously very happy. I love Val d’Isere, this is where I first felt at home on the World Cup—I came here in 2016...I did well after some really bad training runs, and that was the first time I was like, ‘Oh, maybe I belong on the World Cup.’” As far as tomorrow goes...for Breezy, her eyes are on the prize. “After the training runs, and today, I’m hunting for the win tomorrow,” she said. 

Keely Cashman skyrocketed from bib 46 to land in 17th and grab her first career World Cup points, while Jackie Wiles—who has been skiing consistently fast in training runs—landed in 23rd. When asked about how it was today, Keely said, "slightly scary, but mostly fun." Bella Wright also started for the Americans, but finished just outside the top 30, in 35th. 

Up next, the women have a downhill on Saturday, followed by a super-G on Sunday. 

RESULTS
Women’s downhill

HOW TO WATCH
All Times EST

Saturday, Dec. 19
4:30 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Women's Downhill - LIVE, Val d'Isere, FRA, Broadcast Olympic Channel
4:30 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Women's Downhill - LIVE, Val d'Isere, FRA, Streaming Peacock
5:45 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Men's Downhill - LIVE, Val Gardena, ITA, Broadcast Olympic Channel
5:45 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Men's Downhill - LIVE, Val Gardena, ITA, Streaming Peacock
5:00 p.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Women's Downhill - Same Day Delayed Broadcast, Val d'Isere, FRA, Broadcast NBC
9:30 p.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Women's Downhill - Same Day Delayed Broadcast, Val d'Isere, FRA, Broadcast NBCSN
10:30 p.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Men's Downhill - Same Day Broadcast, Val Gardena, ITA, Broadcast NBCSN

Sunday, Dec. 20
4:00 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Men's Giant Slalom, run 1 - LIVE, Alta Badia, ITA, Streaming Peacock
5:00 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Women's Super-G - LIVE, Val d'Isere, FRA, Broadcast Olympic Channel
5:00 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Women's Super-G - LIVE, Val d'Isere, FRA, Streaming Peacock
7:00 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Men's Giant Slalom, run 2 - LIVE, Alta Badia, ITA, Streaming Peacock
7:30 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Men's Giant Slalom - LIVE, Alta Badia, ITA, Broadcast Olympic Channel
9:30 p.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Women's Super-G - Same Day Delayed Broadcast, Val d'Isere, FRA, Broadcast NBCSN
11:00 p.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Men's Giant Slalom - Same Day Broadcast, Alta Badia, ITA, Broadcast NBCSN

Monday, Dec. 21
4:00 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Men's Slalom, run 1 - LIVE, Alta Badia, ITA, Streaming Peacock
7:00 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Men's Slalom, run 2 - LIVE, Alta Badia, ITA, Streaming Peacock
7:00 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Men's Slalom - LIVE, Alta Badia, ITA, Broadcast NBCSN

Tuesday, Dec. 22
2:30 p.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Men's Slalom, run 1 - LIVE, Madonna di Campiglio, ITA, Streaming Peacock
2:30 p.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Men's Slalom, run 2 - LIVE, Madonna di Campiglio, ITA, Streaming Peacock
2:30 p.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Men's Slalom - LIVE, Madonna di Campiglio, ITA, Broadcast Olympic Channel

There is, quite possibly, no venue on the FIS Ski World Cup circuit quite as aesthetically spectacular as Val Gardena, Italy. It is a downhill track like none other, requiring skill, power, courage, and stamina. The terrain is unlike any other. Nine jumps. 17 larger bumps. Athletes jump up to 262ft and are 20 feet about the ground. Imagine that. The infamous “camel humps.” It’s a doozy. It also happens to be a favorite track for the Americans. Just ask veteran Steven Nyman, who has won three times here. Buckle up, because it’s going to be quite the weekend. 

In the first of two downhill training runs, the Americans went 1-2. Jared Goldberg, followed by big ol’ Bryce Bennett...who, as we know, loves this track. Day 2? Those Attacking Vikings threw down: Aleksander Kilde first, Kjetil Jansrud second. But guess what?! Jared, once again, the fastest American, in fourth. Ryan Cochran-Siegle fifth. Bryce seventh. Sam Morse 19th. Former World Junior Downhill Champ and Middlebury Alpine athlete Erik Arvidsson will be checking out this real-deal track for the first time. He's stoked. "That was SO much fun," he said when he came down after his first training run. Giddy up!

Caught up with three-time Saslong victor (we like to call him, “King of the Saslong,” though he doesn’t agree with that title), Steven Nyman. Here’s what he had to say: “Obviously it’s a bummer, but it is what it is, and I’m trying to help the boys in any way that I can. My words of advice to them are: ‘You gotta nail that first big right-footer...give yourself space, don’t try to gain anything there. It’s just about cleanliness and carrying your speed through that flat. When it comes to terrain, you need to be confident...like know it like the backside of your hand and just go over every blind roll, and know where you’re going without hesitation because that’s going to set you apart from 95% of the guys. Everybody is going to hesitate, and as Americans, we have an advantage, growing up, playing in terrain parks, and understanding terrain better than the Europeans. Fight, fight, fight for aerodynamics wherever you can.’”

Again, he reiterated that he’s “not the ‘King of the Saslong.’” “It’s Kristian Ghedina [from Italy, with four victories on the Saslong]...or, actually, it’s Leo Mussi [Steven’s and Kristian’s technician, who has won seven times on the Saslong], then Kristian, then me,” he added with a laugh. To put it simply, the Americans love this track and you’re not going to want to miss the action this weekend. First up: super-G Friday, followed by downhill day on Saturday. Sunshine all ‘round'. In super-G, watch Travis Ganong, who was fourth last weekend in Val d'Isere, France to match his career-best in the discipline. He's en fuego at the moment, and his super-G set-up is dialed! 

Speaking of sunshine, the women brought the heat in both downhill training runs over in Val d’Isere, France, with Alice McKennis Duran first, Breezy Johnson second, Jackie Wiles 11th, and Keely Cashman 28th on day one! Day two: more of the same. Breezy in first, with a commanding .63 second lead. Jackie Wiles ninth. Alice McKennis Duran 11th. Keely Cashman 30th. The women’s speed crew is healthy, confident, and back with a vengeance. Watch out, world. Of course, Breezy was quick to call it “Fool’s Gold,” and added that she hopes she didn’t “peak too soon.” With two downhills and a super-G at Val d’Isere, there’s bound to be some big-time results in France. Oui Oui!

Follow all of the action on Peacock TV, NBCSN, and the Olympic Channel...because we’ve got a stacked pre-holiday week of alpine action for y’all.

RESULTS
Men’s downhill training 1
Women’s downhill training 1
Men’s downhill training 2
Women’s downhill training 2 

START LISTS
Men’s super-G
Women’s downhill 

HOW TO WATCH
All Times EST

Friday, Dec. 18
4:30 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Women's Downhill - LIVE, Val d'Isere, FRA, Broadcast Olympic Channel
4:30 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Women's Downhill - LIVE, Val d'Isere, FRA, Streaming Peacock
5:45 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Men's Super-G - LIVE, Gardena, ITA, Broadcast Olympic Channel
5:45 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Men's Super-G - LIVE, Val Gardena, ITA, Streaming Peacock

Saturday, Dec. 19
4:30 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Women's Downhill - LIVE, Val d'Isere, FRA, Broadcast Olympic Channel
4:30 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Women's Downhill - LIVE, Val d'Isere, FRA, Streaming Peacock
5:45 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Men's Downhill - LIVE, Val Gardena, ITA, Broadcast Olympic Channel
5:45 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Men's Downhill - LIVE, Val Gardena, ITA, Streaming Peacock
5:00 p.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Women's Downhill - Same Day Delayed Broadcast, Val d'Isere, FRA, Broadcast NBC
9:30 p.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Women's Downhill - Same Day Delayed Broadcast, Val d'Isere, FRA, Broadcast NBCSN
10:30 p.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Men's Downhill - Same Day Broadcast, Val Gardena, ITA, Broadcast NBCSN

Sunday, Dec. 20
4:00 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Men's Giant Slalom, run 1 - LIVE, Alta Badia, ITA, Streaming Peacock
5:00 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Women's Super-G - LIVE, Val d'Isere, FRA, Broadcast Olympic Channel
5:00 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Women's Super-G - LIVE, Val d'Isere, FRA, Streaming Peacock
7:00 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Men's Giant Slalom, run 2 - LIVE, Alta Badia, ITA, Streaming Peacock
7:30 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Men's Giant Slalom - LIVE, Alta Badia, ITA, Broadcast Olympic Channel
9:30 p.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Women's Super-G - Same Day Delayed Broadcast, Val d'Isere, FRA, Broadcast NBCSN
11:00 p.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Men's Giant Slalom - Same Day Broadcast, Alta Badia, ITA, Broadcast NBCSN

Monday, Dec. 21
4:00 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Men's Slalom, run 1 - LIVE, Alta Badia, ITA, Streaming Peacock
7:00 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Men's Slalom, run 2 - LIVE, Alta Badia, ITA, Streaming Peacock
7:00 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Men's Slalom - LIVE, Alta Badia, ITA, Broadcast NBCSN

Tuesday, Dec. 22
11:34 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Men's Slalom, run 1 - LIVE, Madonna di Campiglio, ITA, Streaming Peacock
2:30 p.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Men's Slalom, run 2 - LIVE, Madonna di Campiglio, ITA, Streaming Peacock
2:30 p.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Men's Slalom - LIVE, Madonna di Campiglio, ITA, Broadcast Olympic Channel

As we head into the season, there are still many logistical challenges that we’re all still sorting out. How can we ski in groups, especially with really young kids that need more help from adults? How can we ski enough if we have to limit the number of hours in our program? How can we adapt our teaching to be more effective at a distance? Our Eastern Youth Development Coach, Kathy Okoniewski, took these questions on and collaborated with a number of folks around the region to put together some amazing ideas for you. It is especially relevant with the slow start that many ski areas have had to the year, and we thought it would be perfect to dedicate this newsletter to the topic. So here it is!

Developing passion and skills through freeskiing, mountain adventures, and on-snow games.

By Kathy Okoniewski

These are challenging times. As I talk with many of you around the Region, there is great concern about keeping our athletes safe, engaged, and learning. More than ever, our kids need sport as a way to stay active, be social, and feel connected as a culture. In my opinion, we have an opportunity this season to rethink, reprioritize and reboot our system. It’s an opportunity to train more and freeski more, which is the cornerstone of long term athlete development (LTAD).

Check out this video with Ted Ligety:

https://videos.usskiandsnowboard.org/alpineed/category/videos/general_ 

As alpine skiers, incredibly, we have the ability to participate and still stay distanced and masked! However, this becomes a challenge for our youngest skiers, as we often rely on help from coaches and parents for a multitude of things, including loading and riding lifts with them, assisting with bathroom breaks, and chaperoning while warming their toes. That will be a challenge in this environment, and so we’ll need to engage parents in the process more than ever!

We all know that volunteerism takes commitment and an attitude of teamwork. It sometimes requires memberships and training. These volunteer requirements may seem unnecessary or time consuming, but I can assure you that this is the moment when good parent involvement will have a huge impact on the health of our sport, as well as their child’s connection with snowsports, their coaches, and their skiing community.

With the limitations around this season, we have an opportunity to enjoy and improve our skiing so much more than a season filled with too many ski races.  This is the time when we can ski, play, have mountain adventures and improve our fundamental base together as skiing families. One of life’s greatest joys is to learn new things with the people we love!

As parents, we should not try to take the place of the coaches, and we shouldn’t try to coach the technique and tactics of a sport we do not have the experience or knowledge for. That’s not always easy to do when we want to help.

But here’s what we can do to help improve their skiing and their experience:

• Go skiing with your kids wherever they want to go. Try to ski all day! Get that important mileage!
• Be a playmate on the hill
• Do skiing challenges together - get your child to teach you!
• Work to improve our own skiing 
• Be supportive of their team, teammates, coaches, and club
• Encourage independence and respect
• Be on time
• Be prepared
• Read organizational emails

HERE ARE SOME CONCRETE SUGGESTIONS FOR GOING REMOTE AND DOING MORE WITH LESS GROUP TIME:

GMVS - Bingo Parent/Child Challenge:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZkqBTULvOfER06ltMYORD2P3MVnHUBDFK8jqMXuIRXw/edit

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1d_39j6J-GeJSf6Zd0qAC6MEON57M3gJfkn3Ul61nfqA/edit

NYSEF - All Mountain Vertical Challenge and on snow games:

https://www.nysef.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/352/2020/12/NYSEF-Program-Activities.pdf

Gould-Sunday River - Five Games to play on snow:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kJRLgKTqNYLU0x4EeOESmV5vNtoRZvpzyCu35ieBQ8E/edit

Gore/NYSSRA Future Stars - Scavenger Hunts/All Mt. Adventure:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1giguCgs0W0W3HU27mJNis0NwRvAu-fUvDVg0neFPRPw/edit

Run by run: Coaching for athletes & coaching for parents:

As a parent, you can be incredibly helpful in this sport. Once the clubhouse floor has been swept and the gate shed is organized, get your boots on! 

• You can help the littlest kids get on the lift and ride safely to the top. They need the help, and they are hilarious. 
• You can take a ski lesson and start working on your own skiing. 
• THEN, when the ski program breaks for the day, go ski! Let your child show you around the mountain. See if you can get them to lead some of the activities they did with their coach that day. Explore their favorite places on the mountain. 
• No programming at all one day? Or a half-day? Go remote. Coaches: generate some themes and/or drills and get the kids to coach their parents and demo for them that day.

Lastly, if you’ve ever been into the Killington Mountain Ski Club, you’ll see these great signs:  (As a parent of 4, these really resonate with me!)

Thank you to all the parents! And a HUGE thank you goes out to leaders and coaches around the East who have shared some of their curriculum for keeping our athletes engaged and excited about skiing!

Four American women, led by two-time Continental Cup champion Tara Geraghty-Moats,  will make history participating in the first-ever International Ski Federation (FIS) nordic combined World Cup competition. Friday's event in Ramsau, Austria, is another stepping stone for the hopeful introduction of women’s nordic combined into the Olympic Winter Games program. 

The event was originally scheduled in early December at Lillehammer, Norway but delayed due to COVID-19 restrictions, then rescheduled for January, and then rescheduled again for Austria.

FIS initiated a Continental Cup program in the 2018 season, with a plan to debut a World Cup level tour in 2020-21, along with inclusion in the 2021 FIS Nordic Ski World Championships this February in Oberstdorf, Germany. 

Geraghty-Moats, who won tour titles in 2019 and 2020, will headline four Americans. Also competing will be Tess Arnone, Alexa Brabec and Annika Malacinski.

“This is a very notable milestone for women's nordic combined to eventually be included in the Olympics,” said Geraghty-Moats. “It's much more favorable for us to have both a World Championships and a World Cup tour. And having a World Cup enables the field to grow and for us to prove that the sport is at a high level and show the world what our potential is.”

In the past two years, 17 different nations have scored Continental Cup points. 

“Over the past two years on the Continental Cup, there's been more competitors, more nations, and the level of competition has gotten higher. It's been really cool to see that transformation and see it happen so quickly,” she said.

National ski federations like Austria, Germany, and Norway are investing in their women’s teams with larger coaching and wax teams.

Nordic combined remains the only event in the Olympics without women’s participation. USA Nordic officials see the World Cup and World Championship inclusion as important steps but are continuing to push for a women’s Olympic event.

“Over the past three years of the women’s Continental Cup we’ve seen tremendous growth in both the quality of competition and number of nations,” said Olympic champion and USA Nordic Executive Director Billy Demong. “The World Cup debut is important, but it should be seen in the context of a step towards Olympic inclusion on the 2026 program in Milan-Cortina. The women have shown the depth and quality of athleticism in their sport and should be provided with that opportunity.”

As the two-time defending champion, Geraghty-Moats’ young USA Nordic teammates are looking up to her for leadership. “I’m really trying to just be their teammate and vice versa,” she said. “They’re working really hard and they have really great attitudes. They're just looking to do the best they can. It's really been amazing to have them here.”

It’s unclear now what the rest of the season will bring with an uncertain schedule leading up to the Feb. 27 World Championship debut for women’s nordic combined in Oberstdorf, Germany. While COVID is clearly impacting schedules and travel, Geraghty-Moats has felt comfortable.

“We are able to move around comfortably and safely, which is really important,” she said. “A huge thanks goes out to everyone trying to keep us safe - FIS and USA Nordic. There definitely is a lot of looking at regulations and having to plan ahead. And it takes a lot more energy and a lot more planning. But life is surprisingly normal here.”

Women’s ski jumping will also open its 2020-21 season in Ramsau with five Americans competing. Making the start for the USA will be Annika Belshaw, Anna Hoffman, Paige Jones, Nina Lussi, and Logan Sankey (Steamboat Springs, Colo.).

In men’s nordic combined in Ramsau, Taylor Fletcher and Ben Loomis will start in the second weekend for the men’s World Cup tour.

HOW TO WATCH

Friday, Dec. 18
3:30 a.m. FIS Nordic Combined World Cup Women's HS98 - LIVE, Ramsau, AUT, Streaming Peacock
7:45 a.m. FIS Nordic Combined World Cup Women's 5k - LIVE, Ramsau, AUT, Streaming Peacock
12:00 p.m. FIS Ski Jumping World Cup Men's HS140 - LIVE, Engelberg, SUI, Streaming Peacock

Saturday, Dec. 19
4:30 a.m. FIS Nordic Combined World Cup Men's HS98 - LIVE, Ramsau, AUT, Streaming Peacock
8:15 a.m. FIS Nordic Combined World Cup Men's 10k - LIVE, Ramsau, AUT, Streaming Peacock
10:00 a.m. FIS Ski Jumping World Cup Men's HS140 - LIVE, Engelberg, SUI, Streaming Peacock

Sunday, Dec. 20
5:00 a.m. FIS Nordic Combined World Cup Men's HS98 - LIVE, Ramsau, AUT, Streaming Peacock
9:15 a.m. FIS Nordic Combined World Cup Men's 10k - LIVE, Ramsau, AUT, Streaming Peacock
10:00 a.m. FIS Ski Jumping World Cup Men's HS140 - LIVE, Engelberg, SUI, Streaming Peacock

In an interview with The New York Times, Hig Roberts, a U.S. Alpine Ski Team alumnus, two-time U.S. national champion, and former Middlebury NCAA skier, shared that he is gay—becoming the first elite men’s alpine skier to publicly come out as gay, hoping to encourage others to be themselves.

“I just woke up one morning and I said, ‘Enough is enough,’” Roberts said to the New York Times. “I love this sport more than anything — I’m so lucky and privileged to be doing this — but I can’t go on another day not trying to achieve the person that I am meant to be. Which I think for each and every one of us, one of those main goals needs to be happiness and authenticity.”

The Steamboat, Colo. native had a successful four years of collegiate ski racing for Middlebury and a stint with Team America and coach Peter Lange during the 2015 season, then he rocketed to the U.S. Ski Team B Team. His collegiate career featured two NCAA team slalom championships and an appearance at the 2013 World University Games. Hig was named to the U.S. Ski Team in 2015-16 for two seasons and snagged two national championships, including the giant slalom national title in 2017 and the slalom national title in 2018. 

In August of 2016, Hig's younger brother, Murphy, died after a diabetic seizure while hiking, falling, and sustaining a head injury. "Murph," as Hig called him, was just 22.

Hig told the New York Times, that Murph taught him to live authentically. 

As he ascended in the sport and struggled again with his sexual identity, the slopes became a safe haven — the only place he could freely fly down a mountain.

Until his world came crashing down.

In August 2016 his younger brother, Murphy, died after he had a diabetic seizure while on a hike, fell and sustained a head injury. Murphy was 22.

The sudden loss of his brother was a blow that almost ended Roberts’s career; he recalled Murphy as the “most special person” in his life. Murphy, who grew up with Type 1 diabetes, taught Roberts one of his most valuable lessons: Live every day authentically yourself.

The ski industry is intensely male-dominated and "hyper-masculine," and though many Americans aren't as familiar with ski racers...they are like gods and goddesses over in Europe. Skiing to Europe is the NFL or NBA to America. It's wild. Thousands of screaming fans asking for autographs. But Hig said he felt as though he were in an environment that "almost encouraged womanizing." "Instead, he opted for his hotel room, alone." 

When the New York Times piece went live on Sunday, there was an outpouring of love and support from former teammates, friends, and ski industry members on social media. Two-time Olympian Tommy Ford, who just snagged his career-third FIS Ski World Cup podium in Santa Caterina, Italy posted his support on Instagram, saying that he was "Proud of Hig for coming out as gay. Thank you for being courageous. Time for things to change."

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Tommy Ford (@tommyford)

Hig posted on his Instagram on Tuesday. Here is an excerpt: 

...the one thing I have not conquered until now is: my own self, my identity—or in other words—my authentic truth. So, in the name of doing myself the greatest justice there is in life, I’ll be doing that now.

I am gay.

It is puzzling to think that this 3-letter word, just like my name and equally as critical to my identity has eluded me during this “full” life. Rather than try to pan for that answer which has been veiled in maybe fear, maybe weakness, and also maybe the understanding that I would eventually come to this moment on my own time, I have decided to release and embrace my genuine intention. I share this because while parts of my journey are unique, I feel that I am in the process of harnessing one of life’s greatest lessons that I do believe all of us have the capability to realize. Simply put, it is flipping the script on what you perceive to be your greatest weaknesses and instead employing them as your greatest strengths...

Big congratulations to Hig for being brave to share his story with the world and be authentically himself. Hig's honesty will undoubtedly inspire others to be comfortable with who they are.

Read the full articles on NYTimes.com and Out.com. 

ESPN announced today that X Games Aspen 2021 will return to Buttermilk Mountain in Aspen Snowmass, Colo., for the 20th-consecutive year Jan. 29-31, marking the first elite North American snowboard and freeski event of the season.

The list of invited athletes was nothing short of impressive including U.S. riders and Olympic gold medalists Chloe Kim, Jamie Anderson, Shaun White, and Red Gerard. The roster continues to get deeper with the freeskiers including back-to-back FIS World Champion Aaron Blunck; Olympic medalists Alex Ferreira, Nick Goepper,  David Wise; as well as 2019-20 X Games medalists Alex Hall, Colby Stevenson, and Maggie Voisin. 

X Games Aspen 2021 will feature men’s and women’s freeski and snowboard competitions in the disciplines of superpipe, slopestyle, big air, and men’s knuckle huck. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, X Games Aspen 2021 will be closed to the public and produced with comprehensive COVID-19 risk mitigation protocols in place for participants and staff.

Following X Games, U.S. Snowboard and Freeski Team athletes are set to continue competition in the United States from Feb. 3-6 at the Land Rover U.S. Grand Prix at Mammoth Mountain, Calif. The famed Unbound Terrain Park will host both slopestyle and halfpipe competition, pending local and state approvals. Meanwhile, U.S. Freestyle Ski Team athletes will take on the world-class moguls and aerials venues at Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah, for the 2021 Intermountain Healthcare Freestyle International planned for Feb. 4-6 pending local and state approvals.
 

Read The Full Press Release at ESPNPressRoom.com

Invited U.S Freeski Athletes 

• Aaron Blunck

• Alex Ferreira

• Nick Goepper

• Alex Hall

• Birk Irving

• Colby Stevenson

• Maggie Voisin

• David Wise

• Quinn Wolferman

Invited U.S. Snowboard Athletes 

• Sonora Alba

• Jamie Anderson

• Red Gerard

• Arielle Gold

• Dusty Henricksen

• Chloe Kim

• Hailey Langland

• Julia Marino

• Maddie Mastro

• Toby Miller

• Zeb Powell

• Shaun White

On a stunning day in Courchevel, France, Mikaela Shiffrin made her triumphant and emotional return to the top step on the podium in a FIS World Cup. Young gun AJ Hurt took home her first World Cup giant slalom points, and top-20, in 18th place.

After an issue with the snow, in which the course was watered after heavy snowfall on Saturday and then groomed, the track was deemed unfit for racers for the previously scheduled Sunday giant slalom. But Sunday’s postponement left a hard and fast track for the women on Monday under blazing sunlight and it was worth the wait to see Mikaela take her first World Cup win in almost a year.

It was a beautiful moment when she crossed the finish line ahead of the field, as the community at the bottom of the hill realized that this was Mikaela’s first win after her father’s sudden passing. Mikaela took a moment in the finish corral, sitting on her skis and hugging her legs—seemingly letting it all wash over her. Emotions ran higher when she stepped off the podium and into her mom’s arms, as she cried through her post-race interview.

“It was a pretty incredible day, obviously,” said Mikaela through tears. “But I’m pretty sad. I mean, it’s a bit bittersweet. But it’s pretty special.”

Mikaela won the first run, but only by seven-hundredths and she knew she had to keep up her energy and stamina to hammer out a strong second run for the win. And given that this was only her second giant slalom race after over 300 days off the World Cup circuit, she wasn’t sure she could do it. “I didn’t really know if I could come back to this level. It’s a lot of energy to focus like that and to put the toughness and strength in your skiing,” said Mikaela. “I’ve done it—I used to do it all the time—but I’m at a different place and didn’t know if I could do it again.”

But Mikaela proved herself wrong and threw down a stellar second run on the swingy-set course to take the win by .82 seconds—her first victory since January 2020 and first giant slalom win since December 2019. Behind Mikaela, Federica Brignone of Italy finished second—a particularly impressive feat given that she went down on her hip in the second run—and Tessa Worley of France was third.

Mikaela was quick to commend her teammates, rivals, coaches and family. “It’s a really big testament to my coaches and my mom and everybody around me—my whole team, my family,” said Mikaela. “I definitely didn’t ski alone today. I had a lot of strength from a lot of people to help me get down.”

Sunday’s win was Mikaela’s 67th FIS World Cup victory, tying her with the legendary Marcel Hirscher and placing her third on the overall win list, behind Ingemar Stenmark and Lindsey Vonn. “I was thinking a lot about his skiing today—so that’s pretty cool,” said Mikaela.

AJ Hurt, who celebrated her 20th birthday last weekend, had a huge day, grabbing her first-ever World Cup second run and subsequent World Cup points with a top-20 finish. “I’m very excited,” she said. “I wasn’t as nervous as I thought I’d be!” AJ's result earned the Land Rover U.S. Alpine Ski Team women's tech crew another World Cup giant slalom spot in their quota. 

Paula Moltzan, Keely Cashman and Nina O’Brien also started for the Land Rover U.S. Alpine Ski Team in Courchevel, but did not qualify for a second run.

The women head next to Val d’Isere, France for speed events. Training begins Wednesday.

RESULTS
Women’s giant slalom