In the final race of a three-race series in Trondheim, Norway, the Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team athletes were once again back on top with Rosie Brennan on the podium in second, Jessie Diggins only seconds behind in fourth and Ben Ogden in eighth in the 10k classic.

The classic tracks were wet from moisture, the air was warm and the start list was packed with talent. Athletes skied around the course twice, racking up 11k of trail when it was all said and done. Among the seven American men starters, Ogden led the way. At each time check, he was in the mix, skiing a smart and tactical race, honing in on his classic ski strength to finish in eighth. Not far behind was the young Alaskan Zanden McMullen in 29th, adding another World Cup top-30 result to his resume. 

For the women, Brennan reaffirmed her dominance, showcasing her versatility in every event. Starting conservatively, Brennan accelerated mid-race and never relinquished her podium position. At the 5.2k mark, she trailed the leader by a mere 10 seconds, closing the gap the more she skied. In the final stretch, Brennan put down a powerful sprint, crossing the line in second place, just two seconds ahead of Sweden's Ebba Andersson and 19 seconds behind the day's victor, Victoria Carl of Germany. Diggins was just off the podium in fourth place. 

Reflecting on the team's exceptional performance, Brennan said, "It's been an incredibly strong start from our entire team. It's not something we planned, but we'll gladly take it. Our team is in excellent shape, skiing well, and things are moving in a positive direction."

After four weeks of racing, the Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team closed out the first period of racing with one of the program's most impressive starts to a season in history. Throughout the 10 races, spanning four different venues and three countries, the team landed on the podium nine times, in both individual and team pursuits. Overall, the 23-athlete-strong roster is third in the Nations Cup standings, ahead of powerhouse countries like Finland, Germany, France and Italy. 

In the battle for the overall title, Jessie Diggins maintains her lead, with Brennan closely trailing in third—a historic positioning with two Americans occupying the top two spots. Individually, Brennan, currently ranked second in the World Cup overall, has consistently finished within the top 10 in every race of the season but one. On the men's side, Ben Ogden continues to make waves, securing another top-10 result and hovering on the edge of the top 10 in 11th place for the World Cup overall.

As the team looks back on the achievements of period one, there is much to celebrate—multiple podiums, outstanding skis in each race, career-best results and a strong sense of camaraderie within the team.

"Podiums are always fun for the team, and even when it’s coming from just one athlete," said Matt Whitcomb, Head Coach. "So imagine what it feels like to come out of period one with five athletes that have stood on it. And beyond that, we have new athletes in the top 30 and top 15 for the first time. We’ve built some depth, and that depth is like a ladder of possibility that extends down to the racers back home. More American athletes know they can do it. And they are going to. You’ll hear their names soon."

Anticipation builds for the upcoming Tour de Ski, with the American team emerging as the one to watch, but for now, the entire team will take a break for the holidays.

RESULTS
Women
Men

Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team halfpipe team athlete Maddie Mastro took home her 13th World Cup podium today at the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix at Copper Mountain, finishing the day in third. 

Athletes gathered on the massive 22-foot tall superpipe today in Copper where Olympian Mastro came in third. On her highest scoring run, Mastro executed her tricks: the front 9 mel, back 5 indy, front 7 font side grab, cab 7 under flip indy into front double crippler front side grab. Her result in Copper secured the coveted FIS World Cup yellow bib, signifying she is the current women's snowboard halfpipe World Cup leader. 

Teammate Bea Kim also competed in finals, just missing the podium in fourth. Kim's fourth place result was due to her well-executed tricks, including the front 7 melon, cab 5 indy, switch back 5 mute, cab 7 and her list hit, front 9. 

At the end of the day, Gaon Choi of Korea won first place and Mitsuki Ono of Japan was second. 

On the men's side, Chase Josey took seventh place in finals, with his front double 10 stale fish, cab 9 tail, switch back 10, back double chuck into front double 12. 

Ayumu Hirano of Japan was first, Chaeun Lee in second and Yuto Totsuka of Japan took the third spot. 

“Today was a great day. Copper built one of the best halfpipes of the year,” said Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team halfpipe team head coach Danny Kass. “Big shout out to the mountain and the team for working so hard. It was great to see Maddie Mastro step up again, improving on what she laid down in China adding that big front nine and the double crippler. Wanted to see Chase Josey put it down in that one but we'll get it next time.”

Up next, the Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team halfpipe team takes a holiday break before traveling to Laax, Switzerland for a halfpipe World Cup event Jan. 17-20. 

RESULTS
Women's halfpipe
Men's halfpipe

Stifel U.S. Freeski Team slopestyle team athlete Mac Forehand took home first place in the Visa Big Air Presented by Toyota at Copper Mountain, his first big air World Cup podium in his career. 

It was a beautiful day in Colorado, with the sun shining and large crowds amassing at the big air jump in Copper's Center Village. On his highest scoring runs, Forehand executed a left triple 18 mute and switch left triple 18 mute, securing the first place finish among a stacked list of competitors. The win also scored him the national champion title for the 2023-24 season.

"It feels incredible!" said Stifel U.S. Freeski Team slope team athlete Mac Forehand. "I learned that forward triple 18 mute only last spring and I haven't done it too much. So every time I do it, it's pretty terrifying... It feels insane. First big air World Cup podium for me!"

Teammate Alex Hall also competed in finals, finishing in seventh with right side double 10 safety pullback to 9 and switch left tail butter 14 lead Japan. Troy Podmilsak made finals but unfortunately was a DNS due to illness. 

Miro Tabanelli of Italy secured the second spot and Birk Ruud of Norway was in third. 

On the women's side, Rell Harwood took sixth place in finals - her best finish in a big air World Cup. Rell showed up big, throwing a left double 12 mute and switch right bio 10 safety. She also was dubbed the national champion in big air for the 2023-24 season. 

"My day was amazing!" said Stifel U.S. Freeski Team slope team athlete Rell Harwood. "Perfect weather, perfect jump and I was skiing with my best friends. It was hard not to ski well and just have a good time." 

Tess Ledeux of France was first, Mathilde Germaud second and Kristy Muir of Great Britain took the third spot. Germaud won the Visa Best Trick award.

"I'm so proud of Mac," said Stifel U.S. Freeski Team pro slope team head coach Dave Euler. "He's been skiing like a man on a mission all week and he knew what he wanted to do coming into today. So stoked that he came out, landed the tricks that he wanted to do and even better that it gave him the victory." 

Up next, the Stifel U.S. Freeski Team slopestyle/big air team takes a Christmas break before traveling to Laax, Switzerland for a slope World Cup event Jan. 17-21. 

RESULTS
Women's Big Air
Men's Big Air

The Stifel U.S. Freestyle Ski Team women’s moguls athletes once again showed their speed and strength in today’s dual moguls event, landing Olivia Giaccio and Alli Macuga on the podium in second and third, each earning new personal bests. 

It was another bluebird day in Alpe d’Huez, France, and emotions were high across the board. Olivia Giaccio put on yet another stunning performance today to put herself in the big final against World Cup leader Anthony Jakara. They were neck and neck throughout the entire run, but Jakara was just a bit quicker, landing Giaccio in second place. Although it wasn’t a win, this second place was still incredibly meaningful to Olivia as it was her best career finish in a dual moguls event, improving upon her previous top finish in third last year in Almaty. This podium was particularly special because Giaccio’s parents were there to witness it in person. 

Just behind Giaccio was Alli Macuga, who finished in third place, capturing her first career World Cup podium. Macuga smiled ear to ear from the moment she finished her last run till she stepped off the podium. 

“I can nearest put into words how much I’ve worked for this; ever since I knew mogul skiing was a thing, I’ve looked forward to the day I would get my first podium,” said Macuga. “I am beyond happy with my performance and such fun duals today! I am so grateful for my family always cheering me on and pushing me to get there and my coaches for guiding me; finally, my teammates/best friends cheered me on and pushed me to do my best!”

Just off the stacked podium was Tess Johnson who finished in fourth, followed by Elizabeth Lemley in fifth and Hannah Soar in sixth. Jaelin Kauf unfortunately DNFd during her 1/16 final run, finishing in 27th. 

Nick Page led the pack for the U.S. men, finishing in 13th, along with Dylan Marcellini in 15th, Dylan Walczyk in 22nd and Cole McDonald in 24th. 

The team is headed to Bakuriani, Georgia, for another set of moguls and dual moguls events Dec. 22-23.

RESULTS
Women
Men

In today's 20k skiathlon, Jessie Diggins was back on the podium in second, clinching her fourth podium of the 2023-24 season and 51st podium of her career. Rosie Brennan finished the day in eighth, tallying another top 10 to her impressive season.

As a test event for the 2025 FIS Cross Country Ski World Championships, the skiathlon gives spectators and fans the opportunity to see athletes ski both skate and classic in the same race. For the 20k skiathlon format, athletes kicked off the start line in classic skis, with 10k ahead of them. After more than 25 minutes of hard-fought classic skiing, racers switched to skate skis to finish out the remaining 10k.

It was a warm day in Trondheim, with light rain and the warmest temperatures the athletes have raced in this season. Coming off a fourth place result the day prior in the skate sprint, Diggins started off fast, alongside her teammates Brennan, Novie McCabe and Alayna Sonnesyn. Through the first 10k, Brennan was in the lead pack, skiing comfortably behind the ultimate winner of the day, Ebba Andersson of Sweden. At every time check, Brennan maintained her second position, but on the skate leg, Diggins found her found her way to the front, leading the chase group.

Through the checkpoints, Diggins went from seventh place up to second, making moves to position herself for the finishing stretch, in which she turned on the gas to cross the line in second, 15 seconds behind Andersson. Across the line, Brennan was 52 seconds behind the winner in eighth and McCabe finished within the top 30 in 23.

For the men, Ben Ogden led the U.S. men, finishing in the top 20 in 17th.

Tomorrow, the Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski Team will wrap up the first period of racing with a 10k classic before a well-deserved holiday break.

RESULTS
Women
Men

On Saturday’s second downhill of the weekend in Val Gardena, Italy, Stifel U.S. Ski Team athlete Bryce Bennett followed up his Thursday victory with a third place. 

Bennett proved that his downhill skillset is going to be a competitive force on the circuit this season. He not only secured his third career World Cup podium, but he is also tied for the downhill overall standings alongside last season’s previous Crystal Globe winner, Norwegian Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, with 160 points. 

“Today felt better than Thursday’s win,” said Bennett. “It was a lot to come off a win with the red bib. I’ve never been in that position where you ski well and then you have another opportunity the same week.”

Bennett saw the opportunity and seized it. It was once again another gorgeous day in Val Gardena for the downhill. The sun was shining through the beautiful Italian dolomites and the men’s downhill team was ready to bring it all on the hill. 

Out of the gate, Norway’s Aleksander Aamodt Kilde took the lead. But Italian dark horse Dominik Paris had a near-perfect run in his home country, taking a dominant lead over Kilde by 0.44 seconds. 

All eyes were on Bennett who ran bib 18. He skied strong with minimal mistakes gaining speed toward the middle of the run to punch the line into third place, 0.60 seconds back from the pace. The time held through the remainder of the racers to secure his second podium of the season and his third World Cup podium of his career. 

“This has been the most fun ski race weekend I’ve ever had,” said Bennett. 

The rest of the Stifel U.S. Ski Team also showed strong results. Jared Goldberg skied extremely fast on the top half of the course with top splits and top speeds. But with a few mistakes in the middle Goldberg settled for an 11th place result, just ahead of his teammate Ryan Cochran-Siegle in 13th. 

“I feel good about today because I did not feel super relaxed coming into the day,” said Goldberg. “I am looking for consistency and will bring this heat into the other races.”

Finally, Stifel U.S. Ski Team athlete Kyle Negomir skied a strong line to score a 30th place position, snagging a downhill World Cup point. But it was not without its theatrics, he caught an edge just before the finish line and crashed through the finish. He was okay and walked away with a World Cup result. 

Sam Morse also raced, he took 41st place. Sam DuPratt did not finish. 

The speed men will now take this solid opening speed event and prepare for the Bormio World Cup Dec. 28-29.

RESULTS
Men's downhill

Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team athletes Cody Winters and Stacy Gaskill both finished in fourth in the snowboard cross World Cup race in Cervinia, Italy. 

Snowboard cross riders took on the fun and speedy track in Cervinia today, working their way through quarterfinals, semifinals and ultimately Winters and Gaskill were some of the fastest riders today, earning a spot in big finals. Both athletes just missed the podium, landing in the number four spot for the event. It was a memorable day for Winters as he clenched his best World Cup result in snowboard cross and Olympian Gaskill took home her third World Cup top-five result. 

The women's podium was led by Sina Siegenthaler of Switzerland, with Australians Belle Brockhoff and Josie Baff in second and third. For the men, Alessandro Haemmerle of Austria was first, Adam Lambert of Australia was second and Eliot Grondin of Canada secured the third place finish. 

Teammates Nick Baumgartner, Senna Leith and Nathan Pare also qualified for finals in Cervinia. 

Up next, the snowboard cross team stays in Cervinia to compete in the mixed teams event on Dec. 17. 

RESULTS
Men's snowboard cross
Women's snowboard cross

The Stifel U.S. Freestyle Ski Team aerials athletes kicked off their second World Cup of the season today in Changchun, China, highlighted by Winter Vinecki’s second career win and a podium for Chris Lillis. 

This is the first time the aerials team has been back in China for a World Cup since the 2022 Winter Olympic Games, where the U.S. took home the aerials team gold medal. The rare daytime event was a change of pace for the team, but one that they took in stride. 

During qualifications, Karenna Elliott and Quinn Dehlinger both finished first, setting themselves up nicely for the finals. Elliott ended the day with a new personal best, finishing in ninth place and scoring a personal best score of 88.51, improving upon her previous record of 12th from Engadin last yearm

“I’m very happy with my performance today. I did some of the best jumps today that I’ve done this season,” said Elliott. “It was incredible to qualify in the top position against so many great competitors. Even though I didn’t get a super high score on my final jump, I’m proud of myself for putting down another nice jump and landing it in competition. Walking away from this competition with a new personal best score and placement has given me confidence, and I am looking forward to future competitions. Since we have a month of training before our next competition at Deer Valley, I think I will be throwing some new tricks and am confident that this will be my best competition season yet!"

Tasia Tanner also scored a new personal best, landing in eighth place.

“Getting that new personal best today was really exciting. It was nice to take the momentum from Ruka and just keep moving forward,” said Tanner. “I was able to get my highest score ever and put down a clean jump. Obviously, there’s still room for improvement, but overall, I’m really happy with how I performed today. It’s been a long road to get where I’m at today, with this being my first healthy season in over two years. I’m looking forward to seeing how the rest of the season goes, and I can’t wait to compete on home snow again at Deer Valley!”

In finals, Winter Vinecki showed how much her triples have progressed since she started training them on snow only a few weeks ago in Ruka. Her newfound skills and perseverance helped her earn her second career victory. This is the first win from a U.S. woman in about three years. 

"It was not easy out there today, but I am so excited to have made the most of it and put my triples to my feet for the win," said Vinecki. "We were battling some brutally cold temperatures and strong winds all week and today was no exception. With still only having a handful of days of triples under my belt, I cannot thank my team around me enough for giving me so much encouragement and support so that I could get triples done again in this World Cup here in China. It has been a big few weeks for me so to top it off with a win and put on the yellow bib for the first time in my career feels incredible. I am excited for a little family time over the Holidays and then get some solid training in before the Deer Valley World Cup, where I am eager to keep this momentum going!"

Finishing behind Vinecki was Kaila Kuhn in seventh, followed by Tanner in eighth, Elliott in ninth, Megan Smallhouse in 14th, and Dani Loeb in 17th.

Olympic gold medalist Chris Lillis, who won his gold medal in China in 2022, also had a strong showing today, finishing in second place to earn his seventh career podium.

"I'm absolutely amped to put down another solid competition in some very tough weather and land on the podium," said Lillis. "I feel I'm in a great position to get back to home base and get some solid training in to continue my push for the Crystal Globe. Sharing a podium today with Winter was also super exciting as we have been teammates for eight years and it was a pleasure watching her get rewarded for taking the step up to the triple kicker. After a small Christmas break, all my focus will be on crushing Deer Valley!"

Quinn Dehlinger finished in seventh, Connor Curran in 17th, Justin Schoenefeld in 18th, and Derek Krueger in 20th. 

The team is headed into a training block before their next World Cup event in Deer Valley Feb. 1-3. 

RESULTS
Women
Men

Stifel U.S. Freeski Team halfpipe team athletes showed insane talent in the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix in Copper Mountain, Colorado with the men sweeping spots one through five. Alex Ferreira, Hunter Hess and Birk Irving landed on the podium, going 1-2-3. On the women's side, Hanna Faulhaber took home second place. 

Athletes gathered on the massive 22-foot tall superpipe today in Copper and the Americans dominated the event. Two-time Olympic medalist Ferreira took home the win, coming off his first place win in China last week and ultimately landing himself his twelfth career World Cup podium. As always, Ferreira was calm, cool and collected, going huge on his hits. In his winning run, he executed switch left 1080 tail, right double 1620 safety, left 1080 tail, switch right double 1080 Japan, left double 1620 safety. Hess, looking stylish, earned his third World Cup podium finish, coming in second, also fresh off a podium win in Secret Garden the week before. Birk Irving, Olympian and 2022-23 FIS Crystal Globe winner, took third for his seventh World Cup podium at his first event of the season. 

“It's epic to be in my home state of Colorado and just down the road from Aspen,” said Stifel U.S. Freeski Team athlete Alex Ferreira. “All these other guys are all so young and so talented and I'm the old guy in the field now so I’ve just got to keep working super hard and keep doing my absolute best and honestly just keep having fun. The sport of skiing is growing. It's getting better and everybody is insanely talented these days, so to just to be in the mix is an absolute blessing.”

Three-time Olympic slopestyle medalist Nick Goepper made his debut in halfpipe and put down an impressive run to just miss the podium in fourth place. Three-time Olympic halfpipe medalist David Wise was fifth, Dylan Ladd eighth and three-time Olympian Aaron Blunck landed in 10th. 

On the women’s side of things, Faulhaber, the reigning world champion, landed in second place, clinching her fourth career World Cup podium. In her winning run, she threw straight air tail, left cork 900 safety, flair 540 safety, left 720 mute, switch right cork 720 Japan into a left 1080 safety. Teammates Riley Jacobs and Svea Irving also competed in finals, coming in sixth and seventh place respectively. 

Eileen Gu ultimately came out on top for China finishing in first and Zoe Atkin of Great Britain finished third.

"I'm so happy with the whole team today," said Stifel U.S. Freeski Team halfpipe team head coach, Mike Riddle. "To have 10 athletes advance to finals is amazing and they all threw down in the contest. Huge congrats to Alex Ferreira for staying undefeated this season and Hanna and Hunter on their second podium of the year. Big congrats to Birk for putting it down when it counts on his third run to take third. Goepper made his debut in the halfpipe scene and walked away with fourth, showing he has what it takes. I'm a very proud coach every day, but especially today!" 

Next up, the Stifel U.S. Freeski Team halfpipe athletes take a break from competition before heading to Mammoth Mountain Jan. 31 - Feb. 4, 2024.

Results
Women’s Halfpipe
Men’s Halfpipe

Olympic champion and Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team athlete Red Gerard finished on the podium in third in the Visa Big Air presented by Toyota at Colorado's Copper Mountain. 

The Visa Big Air featured many of the world’s best snowboarders as they gathered to take on the enormous jump, where runs are judged on difficulty, amplitude, variety and progression. 

It's a Colorado bluebird day as Gerard took on the massive feature in Copper and ultimately took home the third spot in his home state in front of his friends and family. He earned himself his 11th World Cup career podium, just a week after he clenched third in Edmonton Big Air World Cup.

Gerard took three runs in finals: switch backside triple 16, back 18 melon and then on his third and final run he was bumped out of the third spot but ultimately answered on the next run with his classic clean switch backside 16 weddle, putting him back in podium position. 

Hiroaki Kunitake of Japan nabbed the number one spot and Sam Vermaat of Netherlands the number two.

On the women’s side of things, Hailey Langland just missed the podium in fourth, executing switch front 900 weddle, front 900 slob air and on her third run dropping in switch again with cab 1080 weddle. 

Kokomo Murase of Japan nabbed the number one spot and executing a never-been-done trick: back triple 1440 weddle. She was the first woman to compete two 14s and two triples, making history at the Visa Big Air. Mari Fukada of Japan came in second and Mia Brookes of Great Britain was third.

Olympic silver medalist in slopestyle Julia Marino also made finals, but had trouble putting down her tricks and finished in seventh. Rori Avelar of Park City Ski & Snowboard also made finals, but fell during practice and did not start. 

Jake Canter, Sean FitzSimons, Fynn Bullock-Womble, Brooklyn DePriest, Chris Corning, Brock Crouch, Lucas Ferry, Judd Henke, Liam Johnson, Luke Winkelmann, Rebecca Flynn and Courtney Rummel were also in Copper for the competition but did not advance to finals. 

The Visa Big Air presented by Toyota wrapped up the big air World Cups on the circuit, with the FIS Crystal Globes being handed out at the finish to Kira Kimura for the men and Brookes for the women, marking them the most dominant big air riders on the World Cup circuit in the 2023-24 season. Langland and Gerard were named the U.S. national champions. 

The Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team slopestyle/big air athletes now have a long break before traveling to Laax, Switzerland Jan. 17-20 for the next World Cup. 

RESULTS
Women's big air
Men's big air