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Diggins Wins, Becoming Most Decorated American Cross Country Skier in History

By Leann Bentley
December, 18 2022
Jessie Diggins
Jessie Diggins atop the podium after winning the 20k skate in Davos, Switzerland. (NordicFocus)

On a beautiful bluebird day in Davos, Jessie Diggins claimed her 14th World Cup victory and made her mark in the history books by becoming the most decorated American cross country skier in history.

Standing atop the podium with Diggins was teammate Rosie Brennan, who was third, right behind Ingvlid Flugstad Oestberg of Norway. 

With her 14th World Cup victory, Diggins, a three-time Olympian, moved into second in the overall World Cup standings and continues to chase the overall World Cup title - the crystal globe, which she won in the 2021 season.

In the individual start freestyle race, Diggins started in the 27th position in a field of 49 skiers. Throughout the 20k, she never ventured far from third place, going between first and third through every kilometer marker and ultimately winning the race once all skiers crossed the finish line. 

"Wow! What a day! Once again, super thank you to the team, we had some really awesome skis," Diggins told us. "I felt really good today. I was able to bounce back really well from the sprint day the day before and I felt like I could push really hard. I just raced as hard as I could until I got to the finish line, which was really cool. I was just trying to ski my own race and ski as smart and as powerful as I could. This win means a lot, as it breaks an American record for the number of World Cup wins which is super exciting and fun!" 

On the women's side, the American's had a solid day of racing, with all women in the top 50 scoring World Cup points. Brennan was third, Sophia Laukli was 17th, Alayna Sonnesyn in 26th and Lauren Jortberg in 39th. 

It was a nice showing for the American men. Gus Schumacher lead the charge in 18th, with Ben Ogden right behind in 22nd. For Schumacher, his top 20 finish marks his best distance result in Davos. But, at the end of the day, the Norwegian men were on top, taking the first six spots with Simen Hegstad Grueger crossing the line in 42:12.3 minutes. 

"It was really validating of my plan to start the season less sharp than in the past because it's gotten better every week and the trend is always something I like to look at for how the training is going," said Gus Schumacher in a post-race reflection. "I am really stoked to train a little now and bring the momentum to the tour because today felt really solid. I was skiing really smoothly and my energy and technique felt good, so I'm happy with it!"

Similar to the women, all U.S. men were in the top 50, with all athletes adding more World Cup points to their tally. Hunter Wonders was 33rd, Scott Patterson 38th and Zak Ketterson 43rd. 

Now, the team will rest, enjoy the holidays and prepare for the Tour de Ski! 

RESULTS

Women's 20k 

Men's 20k 

Shiffrin Takes Win in St. Moritz Super-G

By U.S. Ski & Snowboard
December, 18 2022
Shiffrin Takes 77th Win
Mikaela Shiffrin is back on top step of super-G podium, CC: Getty Images

Mikaela Shiffrin continued her successful speed series with her 77th World Cup victory Sunday at the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup super-G in St. Moritz, Switzerland. Shiffrin now has 124 World Cup podiums to her name.

Shiffrin described her skiing as good, commenting that she pushed hard in the race. “I felt very good, from inspection I was looking at a very tough line and I tried my best to follow that line,” said Shiffrin. “You have to push so hard and its always on the limit. I knew where my tactics should be and I’m happy with that.”

Behind Shiffrin on the podium was Italian skier Elena Curtoni in second, and French skier Romane Miradoli in third. Stifel U.S. Alpine athlete Breezy Johnson finished in 34th, Keely Cashman in 40th and Lauren Macuga in 41st.  Bella Wright and Tricia Mangan did not finish.

It was another bluebird day on the hill with the sun shining down at the finish for the speed racers as they close out their speed series in St. Moritz.

The tech men also raced Sunday in Alta Badia for a giant slalom series. Brian Mclaughlin finished first run in 37th, Tommy Ford finished first run in 44th, George Steffey finished first run in 52nd and River Radamus did not finish. The men return to Alta Badia for another race on Monday.

RESULTS

Women's super-G

HOW TO WATCH
Men’s Alta Badia G.S. Dec. 19th 4:00 a.m. ET  https://skiandsnowboard.live/

 

Irving Wins Toyota U.S. Grand Prix Halfpipe  

By Courtney Harkins
December, 17 2022
Birk Irving Copper
Birk Irving stands on top of the podium at the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix. (Getty Images - Tom Pennington)

Birk Irving took the big win at the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix halfpipe to close out the weekend of events at Copper Mountain. Sister Svea Irving was just off the podium in fourth place.

It was Irving’s third win at Copper, who hails from just down the road at Winter Park, Colorado, but his first win since 2019. “I’ve gotten a few World Cup wins before, but this one hits a little different,” said Birk. “Home turf, whole family is here—it feels really good. It’s awesome.”

Two Canadians stood on the podium with Birk: Brandon MacKay in second and Noah Bowman in third.

Irving threw a huge third run to burst onto the top spot and held it. His run featured a switch left 10 blunt, a massive right dub 12 Japan, left dub 14 safety, switch right 7 tail and a left double down the pipe high safety. His last trick thrilled both the crowd and his competitors alike, with a progressive blocked 720.

“It’s like a double Michalchuk 7,” said Birk. “It’s like a pretzel flip—so it’s kinda weird. I’ve done it a few times before. I had it in my head today, but I wasn’t sure I was going to need it, but at third run I was like, yeah I’m definitely going to need it!”

The competition was fierce, with a number of men vying for the top three. Alex Ferreira stood on the podium throughout the comp, but was bumped off in the last run and took fourth. Hunter Hess finished eighth.

Svea also threw down two solid runs, but just missed the podium, taking fourth. But she stood with the team at the base of the pipe to support her brother in first. Behind Svea, Hanna Faulhaber was sixth, Brita Sigourney seventh and Carly Margulies eighth. Margulies fell first run and did not start the last two runs.

Rachel Karker of Canada was first with teammate Amy Fraser second. Kelly Sildaru of Estonio was third.

The Toyota U.S. Grand Prix wrapped the weekend of events at Copper with the freeskiers now looking toward slopestyle in Font Romeu, France after the new year.

Be sure to tune into the tape-delayed broadcast of the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix and Visa Big Air presented by Toyota at Copper Mountain on Sunday, Dec. 18 and Christmas Eve.

RESULTS
Women’s halfpipe
Men’s halfpipe

HOW TO WATCH
All times EST - Please refer to this link for most up-to-date schedule.

Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022
12:30 p.m. - Toyota U.S. Grand Prix snowboard halfpipe finals - tape delayed on NBC and simulcasted on Peacock
4:30 p.m. - Visa Big Air presented by Toyota freeski and snowboard finals - tape delayed on NBC and simulcasted on Peacock

Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022
5:00 p.m. - Toyota U.S. Grand Prix freeski halfpipe finals - tape delayed on NBC and simulcasted on Peacock

Langland, Corning Second at Visa Big Air presented by Toyota

By Courtney Harkins
December, 17 2022
Chris Corning Hailey Langland Copper
Chris Corning and Hailey Langland celebrate their second place finishes at the Visa Big Air presented by Toyota at Copper Mountain. (Getty Images - Tom Pennington)

Hailey Langland and Chris Corning were the top U.S. riders at the Visa Big Air presented by Toyota at Copper Mountain, both landing huge tricks that secured them second place finishes.

It was a balmy day of 12 degrees F compared to the freeski big air on Friday, which topped out at 0 degrees, and the athletes were welcomed to the finish each run by cheering fans at the base of Copper Mountain. Langland sent it to the moon on her first hit, putting down a cab 10 indy that had the crowd going wild. She backed it up with a switch back triple 16 Weddle, which secured her second place, finishing in between two Japanese riders: Mari Fukada in first and Miyabi Onitsuka in second.  

Corning dropped a back 18 melon on his first hit and a switch back triple 16 Weddle, which held him in first place for the majority of the event, but Norwegian great Marcus Kleveland threw a nollie frontside off the toes 14 tail grab for his final trick—a trick no one had ever done in a contest before—to grab the win. Corning took second, while Ian Matteoli of Italy was third.

This was Corning’s second second place finish in a week, having securing the runner-up position at the Edmonton big air World Cup last week. “It’s a really good start to the season,” said Corning. “It is definitely a tough situation because I’m happy to be there, but I’m also not happy at all. It’s two second places in a row that I had a good chance of winning. I’m going to try to figure some stuff out and hopefully bring home a win in the next one.”

Julia Marino finished sixth, but scored the Visa Best Trick Award with a hugely progressive cab double 1080 nose grab. Kleveland took home the Visa Best Trick Award for the men.

Rounding out the rest of the U.S. Snowboard Team, Luke Winkelmann was seventh for the men and Courtney Rummel was eighth for the women. It was Rummel’s first time making finals in a big air World Cup.

The Visa Big Air presented by Toyota wraps the snowboarding portion at Copper. The team has a holiday break before the Kreischberg big air World Cup in Austria.

RESULTS
Women’s big air
Men’s big air

HOW TO WATCH
All times EST - Please refer to this link for most up-to-date schedule.

Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022 
3:00 p.m. - Toyota U.S. Grand Prix freeski halfpipe finals - streaming LIVE on Outside

Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022
12:30 p.m. - Toyota U.S. Grand Prix snowboard halfpipe finals - tape delayed on NBC and simulcasted on Peacock
4:30 p.m. - Visa Big Air presented by Toyota freeski and snowboard finals - tape delayed on NBC and simulcasted on Peacock

Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022
5:00 p.m. - Toyota U.S. Grand Prix freeski halfpipe finals - tape delayed on NBC and simulcasted on Peacock

Giaccio Fifth in Alpe d’Huez Dual Moguls, Mickel Ninth

By Courtney Harkins
December, 17 2022
Olivia Giaccio Alpe d'Huez
Olivia Giaccio skis to fifth place in the Alpe d'Huez dual moguls World Cup. (FIS Freestyle)

Olivia Giaccio was the top U.S. woman in dual moguls in the FIS Freestyle World Cup in Alpe d’Huez, France, finishing fifth. D Team athlete Charlie Mickel was ninth, his best FIS World Cup result.  

Anri Kawamura of Japan and Perrine Lafont of France battled for first, with Kawamura taking the win. Jakara Anthony of Australia was third. Japan brought home the men's win too, with Ikuma Horishima of Japan on the top step of the podium. Benjamin Cavet of France was second and Walter Wallberg third.

Giaccio skied well to make it into the quarterfinals, but couldn’t beat the Olympic champion LaFont, who ended up second. But she scored another top finish, and will keep that in her back pocket as she looks for the podium in 2023. Lemley, who podiumed in the last two events, also made it to the quarterfinals and finished eighth. Jaelin Kauf snagged another top 10, taking 10th, and Alli Macuga was 11th. Tess Johnson was 13th and Development Team skier Kasey Hogg had her personal best World Cup result in 14th place.

Mickel made it to the round of 16, but was beat out by William Feneley of Great Britain. But it was a stellar result for the young 18 year old, who only just started skiing World Cups this season. His previous personal best was 21st place, so he was excited to crack the top 10.

"I'm super happy with my skiing all day and thrilled to finally break that top 10 bubble," said Mickel.
"Looking forward to the rest of the season and glad I could end this trip with a good result."

Behind Mickel, Dylan Walczyk also made the round of 16 and finished 14th. Cole McDonald was 17th, Nick Page 22nd and Ian Beauregard 28th.

The Alpe d’Huez World Cup wrapped up the first period of moguls skiing with the athletes now heading home for a holiday break.

RESULTS
Women’s dual moguls
Men’s dual moguls

Ganong, Goldberg Break Top 10 in Val Gardena

By U.S. Ski & Snowboard
December, 17 2022
Travis Ganong Val Gardena
Travis Ganong skis to a top 10 finish. (Getty Images)

The Stifel U.S. Alpine Team men’s speed team posted a strong team result Saturday in the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup downhill in Val Gardena. Travis Ganong took seventh place, tying with Swiss skier Marco Odermatt. Jared Goldberg nabbed ninth place, and Sam Morse took home 15th.

“The skiing was really fun," said Ganong. "It's such a fun track and the skiing was good."

Teammate Goldberg also walked away with a positive result. “I knew there were a couple places where I made some mistakes but I brought a lot more intensity today with more of that racer's edge and was happy to see a decent place,” said Goldberg.

Bryce Bennett and Ryan Cochran-Siegle also placed in the top 30. Bennett was 23rd and Cochran-Siegle was 25th place.

The top three finishers for the downhill included Norwegian skier Aleksander Kilde in first, French skier Johan Clarey in second and Italian skier Mattia Casse in third.

There was a large crowd at the venue as Val Gardena celebrated its 100th World Cup anniversary race at the venue. Plus the weather was a significant improvement with beautiful blue skies overhead and a light dusting of snow on the trees, making for a picture-perfect ski race. The Stifel U.S. Alpine Team men proved once again that this track is one of their favorites.

Now the speed men will focus on the Bormio races Dec. 26-29 while the tech men take on Alta Badia on Sunday and Monday.

RESULTS
Men's downhill

HOW TO WATCH
*All times EST

Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022
4:00 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup, Men's Giant Slalom, first run, Alta Badia, Italy, streaming on skiandsnowboard.live
5:30 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup, Women's Super-G, St. Moritz, Switzerland, streaming on skiandsnowboard.live
7:30 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup, Men's Giant Slalom, second run, Alta Badia, Italy, streaming on skiandsnowboard.live

Monday, Dec. 19, 2022
4:00 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup, Men's Giant Slalom, first run, Alta Badia, Italy, streaming on skiandsnowboard.live
7:30 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup, Men's Giant Slalom, second run, Alta Badia, Italy, streaming on skiandsnowboard.live

Shiffrin Fourth in St. Moritz Downhill

By U.S. Ski & Snowboard
December, 17 2022
Shiffrin Takes Fourth in Downhill

It was a successful downhill race for the women’s Stifel U.S. Alpine Team at the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup in St. Moritz, with Mikaela Shiffrin posting a stellar speed result in fourth place, just off the podium. Bella Wright also with a strong performance in 11th place.

“The conditions were amazing today, full bluebird, a perfect day,” said Wright on the day’s conditions. “I didn’t take quite as much risk as I could, but I am really happy with the quality of my skiing.”

Shiffrin also commenting on her successful speed races, “it’s exciting to have two really good results, for sure it’s helpful for the overall,” said Shiffrin.

Stifel U.S. Alpine athlete Breezy Johnson also finishing in the points in 25th place. Tricia Mangan finished in 40th, Lauren Macuga in 43rd, and Keely Cashman in 48th position.

Italian skier Sofia Goggia won the race, Ilka Stuhec took second, and Kira Weidle of Germany landed in third.

The women will now focus on super-G for Sunday.

RESULTS

Women's downhill

HOW TO WATCH
Women’s St. Moritz Super G Dec. 18th 5:30 a.m. ET  https://skiandsnowboard.live/

Diggins Second At Davos Freestyle Sprint

By Tom Horrocks
December, 17 2022
Women's top 3
Jessie Diggins (left), Nadine Faehndrich, and Johanna Hagstroem took the podium at the Davos freestyle sprint. (@NordicFocus)

On sun-splashed Swiss day, Jessie Diggins led the U.S. Cross Country Team with a second-place finish at Davos's FIS World Cup Cross Country freestyle sprint.

"It was a beautiful, sunny day and I feel like this might have been the third weekend in a row where Team USA had the most passionate fans," Diggins said. "I'm pretty sure half of Landgrove (Vermont) was out there as well as some other special guests...and it was a really cool atmosphere!"

Rosie Brennan was the top U.S. qualifier in sixth, with Diggins in seventh. Diggins and Brennan both raced in the first heat of the quarterfinals, with Diggins setting the early pace and finishing second to advance to the semifinals. Brennan, unfortunately, was a distant third and did not advance. 

"I did not have the day I was hoping for today," Brennan said. "I am really struggling to find my power and speed in sprinting which has been frustrating for me. My fall and early season has been marred by illness and I think that has made it difficult for me to find all my gears. I am healthy now and my base fitness still feels good so I am looking forward to tomorrow. It was a great day for ski racing and Davos does a great job at hosting races. Even without my best today, this is still one of my favorite places to race."

Julia Kern, who qualified ninth, advanced to the semifinals, finishing third in quarterfinal heat two and advancing as a Lucky Loser. 

In the semifinal heat, Diggins fought for her line on the two-lap course and snuck into the finals, finishing third and advancing as one of two Lucky Losers. Kern, meanwhile, finished fifth in the first semi-final heat, finishing 10th on the day, for her third individual World Cup top 10 of the season.

In the finals, Diggins, Switzerland’s Nadine Faehndrich, Sweden’s Johanna Haegstroem and Norway’s Tiril Udnes Weng came off the second climb and into the fast downhill altogether. Fighting for positioning on the inside, Diggins took a clear shot to the finish, lunging to the line to nip Weng and Haegstroem for the second podium spot. Faehndrich crossed the line 0.24 seconds ahead of Diggins to win her second-straight World Cup sprint. Haegstroem was third.

"My strategy was to tuck in behind either Tiril or Nadine, and I just sort of ended up skiing the inside line," Diggins said. "I just took a sharp inside lane, just tried to stay calm and ski with a lot of power into the finish."

For the U.S. Men, Ben Ogden, Kevin Bolger, and JC Schoonmaker all qualified for the heats. Ogden skied aggressively and was in contention, sitting second at the top of the climb on lap two, but got tripped up on a pole from Sweden’s Johan Haeggstroem and fell. Bolger and Schoonmaker each finished fifth in their respective heats.

Italy’s Frederico Pelligrino edged Norway’s Johannes Klaebo for the victory, with Lucas Chanavat of France in third.Ogden was XX, Bolger XX and Schoonmaker was 

Alayna Sonnesyn qualified for her first sprint heats, finishing fifth in heat three and settling for 24th on the day for her first top-30 World Cup result. 

Up next, a 20k freestyle Sunday in Davos.

RESULTS
Women’s freestyle sprint
Men’s freestyle sprint

 

Gold Fourth, Mastro Fifth at Toyota U.S. Grand Prix

By Courtney Harkins
December, 16 2022
Taylor Gold
Taylor Gold competes in the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix halfpipe at Copper Mountain. (Getty Images - Tom Pennington)

Taylor Gold was the top American in the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix halfpipe at Copper Mountain, finishing just off the podium in fourth place. Maddie Mastro was the top U.S. woman, finishing fifth.

It was a sunny but frigid day, with temperatures topping out at 3 degrees at Copper Mountain, but that didn’t stop the level of riding, as both men and women threw down in the pipe. Mastro’s double crippler on her second run had everyone talking, but wasn’t quite enough to make it to the podium. Queralt Castellet of Spain took the win, Elizabeth Hosking of Canada was second and Mitsuki Ono of Japan third.

Gold put down an amazing first run, with an air to fakey with a tail grab to a flat spun cab 10, putting him a strong contention for both the podium and a style award. But the men’s competition was heavy, with Scotty James of Australia scoring a 99.00 on his second run, which no one could touch. Jan Scherrer of Switzerland was second and Kaishu Hirano third.

In her first World Cup, not only did U.S. Freeski Team rookie team rider Bea Kim make finals, but she snagged sixth place, showing off her switch riding with a switch back 5 and switch front 5. Sonoro Alba was eighth in her first World Cup final, throwing a stylish backside air with a tail grab with a ton of amplitude on her first hit.

In only his second finals, young Joey Okesson took fifth—his best ever World Cup finish—with a huge frontside 1080 on the last hit of his last run. Chase Josey rode well to finish sixth, with the fans excited to see his “double heinous flip”—a variation on a front double cork 10. Colorado’s Lucas Foster was ninth.

Comps at Copper Mountain finish on Saturday with the Visa Big Air presented by Toyota finals.

RESULTS
Women’s snowboard halfpipe

Men’s snowboard halfpipe

HOW TO WATCH
All times EST - Please refer to this link for most up-to-date schedule.

Friday, Dec. 16, 2022
3:00 p.m. - Toyota U.S. Grand Prix snowboard halfpipe finals - streaming LIVE on Outside

Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022 
11:30 a.m. - Visa Big Air presented by Toyota snowboard big air finals - streaming LIVE on Outside
3:00 p.m. - Toyota U.S. Grand Prix freeski halfpipe finals - streaming LIVE on Outside

Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022
12:30 p.m. - Toyota U.S. Grand Prix snowboard halfpipe finals - tape delayed on NBC and simulcasted on Peacock
4:30 p.m. - Visa Big Air presented by Toyota freeski and snowboard finals - tape delayed on NBC and simulcasted on Peacock

Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022
5:00 p.m. - Toyota U.S. Grand Prix freeski halfpipe finals - tape delayed on NBC and simulcasted on Peacock

Henderson Siblings Top Americans in Visa Big Air presented by Toyota at Copper

By Courtney Harkins
December, 16 2022
Hunter Henderson Copper
Hunter Henderson throws a trick at the Visa Big Air presented by Toyota at Copper Mountain. (U.S. Ski & Snowboard)

Brother and sister Hunter and Grace Henderson were the top performing Americans at the Visa Big Air presented by Toyota at Copper Mountain, a FIS Freeski World Cup, with Hunter finishing fifth for the men and Grace seventh for the women.

Hunter put together two solid jumps—a switch left dub 18 and a left dub 16—to score his best big air result in his career. Grace laced her second hit, with a left dub 10 and then put down a switch left 9.

The siblings were stoked to have put down solid finishes together. “Traveling around with my sister is one my favorite parts of doing all of this,” said Hunter. Grace agreed, “Not many people get to have your best friends and your family with them, and I have my very best friend and my family with me everywhere I go and it’s awesome.”

Rookie Troy Podmilsak was sixth, with a big first score on his right triple cork 18 that placed him in the running for a podium, but couldn’t quite put down a second jump to keep him in the top three. Mac Forehand was eighth, throwing a huge left 1980 on his second jump. Alex Hall was ninth, putting down a switch left 18, and stuck to his style of skiing with a unique right dub 19 pull back for his second and third hit.

Birk Ruud of Norway took the win, with three massive hits that scored all jumps in the 90s. Timothe Sivignon of France was the second and Sebastian Schjerve was third.

Canadian Megan Oldham won for the women, while Mathilde Gremaud of Switzerland was second and Olivia Asselin of Canada was third.

The Visa Big Air presented by Toyota was a huge success, with excited fans cheering at the finish of the scaffolding big air jump that came right down to the village. Copper feels like a home base for many of the U.S. Freeski Team skiers, who spend weeks training at the venue each fall and return for multiple comps throughout the season.  

“We’ve been competing at Copper since USASA Nationals,” said Grace. “With my family and friends here, it’s so much fun. It feels like home.”

The halfpipe team competes next at Copper with the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix halfpipe comp going off on Saturday, Dec. 17. Watch it live on Outside

RESULTS
Women’s freeski big air
Men’s freeski big air

HOW TO WATCH
All times EST - Please refer to this link for most up-to-date schedule.

Friday, Dec. 16, 2022
3:00 p.m. - Toyota U.S. Grand Prix snowboard halfpipe finals - streaming LIVE on Outside

Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022 
11:30 a.m. - Visa Big Air presented by Toyota snowboard big air finals - streaming LIVE on Outside
3:00 p.m. - Toyota U.S. Grand Prix freeski halfpipe finals - streaming LIVE on Outside

Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022
12:30 p.m. - Toyota U.S. Grand Prix snowboard halfpipe finals - tape delayed on NBC and simulcasted on Peacock
4:30 p.m. - Visa Big Air presented by Toyota freeski and snowboard finals - tape delayed on NBC and simulcasted on Peacock

Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022
5:00 p.m. - Toyota U.S. Grand Prix freeski halfpipe finals - tape delayed on NBC and simulcasted on Peacock