Jessie Diggins went all in physically, and mentally, to win Friday’s FIS Cross Country World Cup 10k freestyle individual start in Falun, Sweden. And she did it against a stacked field of competitors!

“I had to be thinking every single second: ‘how can I take this corner, and this corner over here,’” Diggins said after posting a winning time of 23 minutes, 35 seconds. Edging Norway’s Therese Johaug, who finished second, by just 2.1 seconds. Sweden’s Ebba Andersson was third at 14.6 second back. “Some people make skiing look easy; I think I make it look really painful. I wish I made it look pretty, but I just...it’s hard. But for me, my strength is in my head. Just pushing every single second and for me, the goal is to always cross the finish line and feel like I have nothing left. And I did that today!”

Diggins' victory led another outstanding day for the Davis U.S. Cross Country Team with five athletes finishing in the top 15. Rosie Brennan was eighth, Sadie Maubet Bjornsen - racing in her first World Cup this season - was 10th. Sophia Laukli was 41st; Caitlin Patterson 42nd; Katharine Ogden 48th; Julia Kern 55th; and Alayna Sonnesyn was 58th.

“I love individual start races so I wanted to start hard and see what my body had in it as we move further away from the Tour de Ski,” Brennan said. “My body felt better than last week so things are coming along and on track for being in top shape for the World Championships (Feb. 22-March 7).”

"Wow, what a surprise!" Maubet Bjornsen said of her top-10 result. "I really wasn't sure what to expect today, but I can't say I was expecting to race top 10. While things have been so amazing this winter, and I have felt in better shape than ever, I have been working through a back injury the last five weeks that has left my preparation for hitting World Cup far from perfect. But, I will gladly take this as a starting point, and look forward to using the next few weeks of racing to build towards World Champs!"

In the men’s 15k freestyle individual start, Gus Schumacher posted an impressive ninth-place finish, and Scott Patterson finished a World Cup career-best in the freestyle distance discipline in 15th. Schumacher was also the second U23 athlete, which bodes well for him as he prepares for the Junior/U23 FIS Nordic World Championships which get underway on Feb. 9 in Vuokatti, Finland. Simi Hamilton was 32nd; David Norris 40th; Hunter Wonders 52nd; and Kevin Bolger was 61st. 

Schumacher and Scott Patterson are leading a renaissance for the U.S. men in distance skiing - and both are finding time in the leader’s chair. At just 20-years-old, Schumacher is quickly establishing himself as a top-10 contender.

"I felt strong, the course was solid and it was cold out there, but I stayed nice and warm," Schumacher said. "Some icy corners, I definitely had an RCS-level save (referring to his U.S.Ski and Snowboard Land Rover Alpine Ski Team teammate Ryan Cochran-Siegle), but I'm feeling quite good aerobically, and it was fun to have some pop and quick recoveries at sea level."

Meanwhile, Scott Patterson, who just celebrated his 29th birthday Thursday has rebounded from a couple of disappointing seasons, climbing the results list all season. Friday’s race proved to be just what he needed to take another step.

“Conditions were pretty spectacular today,” he said. “It was cold and sunny with firm tracks on to start. The top layer started breaking a little big making some of the corners a little tricky later in the race. I really focused on skiing powerfully through the flats and gradual uphills and I think that worked well. It was sweet to spend a long time in the leader's chair and when I was eventually unseated, have it done by a teammate.”

With five World Cup distance races remaining this season, Schumacher currently sits 21st overall. Scott Patterson is 39th overall, just 19 points outside the top 30. In the overall World Cup standings, Schumacher is the top American in 27th.

Diggins extended her lead in the women’s World Cup overall standings as she leads Brennan, who sits second, by 235 points. Diggins also leads the World Cup distance standings, with Brennan in third.

Up next, a mass-start 10k classic for the women and a 15k classic for the men Saturday in Falun.

RESULTS
Women’s 10k freestyle
Men’s 15k freestyle

STANDINGS
Women’s World Cup overall
Women’s World Cup distance
Men’s World Cup overall
Men’s World Cup distance

HOW TO WATCH 

All times EST
Saturday, Jan. 30
7:30 a.m. FIS Cross-Country World Cup Men's 15k Classic Mass Start - LIVE, Falun, SWE, Streaming Peacock
8:45 a.m. FIS Cross-Country World Cup Women's 10k Classic Mass Start - LIVE, Falun, SWE, Streaming Peacock

Sunday, Jan. 31
7:30 a.m. FIS Cross-Country World Cup Men and Women's Classic Sprint - LIVE, Falun, SWE, Streaming Peacock

Two bluebird days in Winter Park, Colo. provided a perfect backdrop for the 2021 iteration of U.S. Freestyle Selections Jan. 27-28. Although a shorter program than usual due to COVID-19, there was no lack of talent and skill on course. Extensive testing, symptom monitoring and sanitization practices allowed the nation's mogul programs to come together and run a successful two days of competition. 

Historically, U.S. Freestyle Selections provides the pathway for athletes to qualify for the NorAm Tour and domestic World Cup starts. New this year, however, top development-level athletes are able to pre-qualify for NorAm starts and use Selections as an opportunity to focus on pushing themselves on course to achieve a coveted Deer Valley World Cup start. "It allows those top-level athletes who did well to focus more for World Cup starts without a negative impact towards NorAm starts," explained U.S. Ski & Snowboard World Cup Moguls Coach Joe Discoe. 

Winter Park set athletes up for success with a well-built course that allowed skiers to lay it all in the bumps. "There were some tricky sections that kept competition interesting," noted Discoe. "Those who were able to perform and hold their technique were the ones who showed up on the top of the podium. The development field is looking super strong. There were multiple different clubs putting contenders out there for the NorAm and World Cup. It was a battle to the end of the event for those domestic starts. It was fun to see that much of a challenge being put up."

U.S. Ski Team member Olivia Giaccio, having just returned to competition in December, laid it down both days to win back-to-back. On Jan. 27 she shared the podium with Ski & Snowboard Club Vail's Elizabeth Lemley in second and U.S. Ski Team member Avital Carroll in third. Carroll earned her second podium of the event with a second place on Jan. 28 and U.S. Ski Team member Kenzie Radway came in third. 

On the men's side on Jan. 27 U.S. Ski Team member Joel Hedrick, in his first competition back from injury, came in first, U.S. Ski Team member Jesse Andringa took second and Wasatch Freestyle's Ian Beauregard came in third. Andringa topped the podium on Jan. 28, Beauregard took second and Steamboat Winter Sports Club's Wyatt Antkiewicz came in third. 

Being able to run development events such as U.S. Freestyle Selections is critical in identifying up-and-coming talent for those seeking to make the U.S. Ski Team. Without the support of the wintersports community, especially resorts this season, none of that would be possible. "Winter Park put on a great competition," said Discoe. "Thanks to the resort, the judges, and staff for hosting."

RESULTS
Jan. 27, Women's Moguls
Jan. 27, Men's Moguls
Jan. 28, Women's Moguls
Jan. 28, Men's Moguls
 

Before a weekend full of racing across Europe, the Land Rover U.S. Alpine Ski Team gathered virtually with hosts and U.S. Ski Team alumni Daron Rahlves and AJ Kitt for their annual fundraiser, raising a record-breaking number of over $330,000.00.

Every year, athletes use this fundraiser as a means to help offset travel and training costs. Unfortunately, this year there was no in-person gathering at Yama sushi in Vail, Colo. hosted by generous U.S. Ski Team supporters, the Viola Family, but instead, a virtual event hosted through Facebook Live. Although the annual gathering at Yama Sushi was missed, going virtual had its benefits as alpine supporters from across the globe had the opportunity to join us for this event. 

Rahlves and Kitt started off the event by talking about what support meant during their careers and then they were joined by a few members of the men’s team, including Ryan Cochran-Siegle, Sam Morse, Bryce Bennett, and Jared Goldberg, and the women’s team, featuring Breezy Johnson, Jackie Wiles, and Isabella Wright. Each athlete shared how they were feeling about their upcoming races and how donor support has fueled their ability to focus on their training rather than being overwhelmed, worrying about fundraising. 

Those who watched were encouraged to give a donation, while those who were unable to virtually attend had the option to donate online and/or bid on unique auction items, including double Olympic champion and five-time World Champion Mikaela Shiffrin's own personal Atomic helmet, as well as one of her former race bibs. Through donations and the silent auction, the Team had a record year, raising over $330,000.00! These gifts have a direct impact on our mission of supporting athletes in achieving excellence and becoming Best in the World. 

The Land Rover U.S. Alpine Ski Team is now gearing up for an exciting weekend of racing with the men’s team competing in Chamonix, France, and the women in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. If you missed the virtual event click here to watch!  

The U.S. Ski & Snowboard Foundation is the non-profit fundraising arm of U.S. Ski & Snowboard. To support our athletes on their quest to become the Best in the World, please click the donation link below. 

DONATE

U.S. Ski & Snowboard has officially announced a new two-year partnership with RISE Brewing Co., the organic nitro cold brew coffee. Spanning from coast to coast through 2023, through this partnership, RISE will help America’s top skiers and snowboarders fuel their adventure all year long.

The partnership will officially kick off Feb. 4 with the 2021 Intermountain Healthcare Freestyle International at Deer Valley Resort. RISE will be featured at domestic elite-level skiing and snowboarding events moving forward.

“The mountains are unique in that they pull people together from all around the world to do the same thing; spend time with friends and family, experience an unrivaled side of nature and push themselves to be better,” said Grant Gyesky, RISE Brewing Co. CEO. “At RISE we are all about people pushing ourselves to get better, whether it’s in the gym, with our passions or on the mountain. Our team has always felt a draw to the mountains. We could not be more stoked to partner with the world’s most talented skiers and snowboarders to inspire us all to RISE from within."

“Through this new partnership, our athletes will RISE to the occasion of competing on the world’s greatest stage,” said Michael O’Conor, U.S. Ski & Snowboard Chief Revenue Officer. “We value RISE’s commitment to creating products using the best ingredients as our athletes train to be Best in the World. We are excited to welcome RISE into the U.S. Ski & Snowboard family.”

As part of the partnership, RISE Brewing Co. will continue to support health care workers by donating products through the U.S. Ski & Snowboard partnership with Intermountain Healthcare in Utah.

####

About RISE Brewing Co.:
RISE Brewing Co. brews nitro cold-brew coffee kegs and shelf-stable cans for grocery stores, convenience stores, offices, bars/restaurants, and cafes. Our flagship, award-winning Original Black coffee is organic, non-GMO, non-dairy, and 0 calories. Think a super light, refreshing stout beer meets iced coffee with a frothy head. An infusion of nitrogen gives RISE its distinctive, creamy cascade. We also have a line of organic dairy and non-dairy lattes -- including our multi-award-winning Oat Milk Latte, and Oat Milk Mocha.

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 2021, competing in seven teams; alpine, cross country, freeski, freestyle, snowboard, nordic combined and ski jumping. In addition to 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

Twenty-eight U.S. freeskiers and snowboarders are set to compete at X Games Aspen 2021 at Buttermilk in Colorado Jan. 29-31. The event will feature men’s and women’s ski and snowboard competitions in the disciplines of slopestyle, halfpipe, big air, and knuckle huck. 

X Games Aspen will also mark the first North American world-class snowboard and freeski event and build momentum as the first back-to-back weekend of elite park and pipe competition this season following last weekend's Laax Open in Switzerland.

In women’s snowboard slopestyle, Jamie Anderson is the most decorated woman in X Games history with 17 medals. Coming hot off a clutch win at the Laax Open, she will be looking to add X Games medal number 18 to her collection.

"I’m so excited to be heading back to Aspen," said Anderson. "X games is one of my favorite events! I have been coming here since I was 13 and I believe I have only missed one year. It's such a trip how quick time goes and I'm grateful for the opportunity again this season."

For the men, Olympic gold medalist Red Gerard is looking to improve on last year’s bronze medal performance. Joining Gerard and making his X Games debut is 2020 U.S. Open silver medalist Dusty Henricksen. The 17-year-old prodigy has been quickly climbing the competitive snowboarding ladder and a podium at X Games would come as no surprise. 

In freeski slopestyle, Colby Stevenson put down a dominant performance last season to become the first X Games rookie to win gold. Stevenson also took gold in the inaugural ski knuckle huck event. 

“I’m feeling super fortunate that X Games is happening during these crazy times,” said Stevenson. “Although there won’t be energy from the crowd we have all come to expect, we will still be pushing ourselves to land the best run possible. There’s nothing more fun than trying to land the most technical run you can think of and that should make for an excellent show.”

Over at the pipe, hometown hero Alex Ferreira is coming off of back-to-back wins in Aspen and will be shooting for the three-peat this year, but it won’t come easy. Alex will have last year’s X Games halfpipe silver medalist, two-time FIS World Champion, and 2019 FIS Crystal Globe winner Aaron Blunck hot on his heels. X Games will serve as Blunck’s first competition back after a horrific crash at Saas-Fee training camp in October. Blunck suffered a grade three laceration on his kidney, a broken pelvis, six broken ribs, and a sprained wrist. In addition, both his lungs and heart were bruised.

“I’m super excited to be back competing again,” said Blunck. “Although I have been working hard throughout my recovery, I am still in shock that I am cleared to ski this soon and I’m beyond grateful for it. I want to come out and do this X Games for myself and for those who supported me through this injury.”

Olympic gold medalists Chloe Kim and Shaun White headline the start list for the snowboarders in the pipe. Kim returned to the contest scene in style last weekend with a victory at the Laax Open after a 22-month hiatus and left a few tricks up her sleeve including back to back 1080’s and the frontside double cork 1080 she’s yet to land in competition. White did not attend the Laax Open and preserved his energy ahead of his first competition since the 2018 PyeongChang Olympic Games. X Games Aspen 2021 will be his 25th X Games appearance over the past 21 years and, at 34, he'll be the oldest athlete in the field.

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.

ESPN, ABC and ESPN2 will televise a combined 13.5 hours of live X Games Aspen competition, which will also be accessible via the ESPN App to viewers who receive their video subscription from an affiliated provider. In addition, four hours of exclusive coverage of X Games Aspen 2021 will be streamed on the @XGames YouTube, Facebook and Twitter pages. Extensive coverage will also be featured across XGames.com, the X Games Aspen App, @XGames on Instagram, Snapchat and more.

Tune in to watch your favorite U.S. Freeski and Snowboard Team athletes take to the famed courses at X Games Aspen 2021. 
 

HOW TO WATCH 
Subject to change
All times EST
@XGames - Streaming via YouTube, Facebook and Twitter pages.
*Same-day broadcast
**Next-day broadcast

Friday, Jan. 29
2:00 p.m. - Women’s snowboard slopestyle - Aspen, Colo. - @XGames
4:00 p.m. - Women’s ski big air - Aspen, Colo. - @XGames
8:00 p.m. - Snowboard knuckle huck - Aspen, Colo. - @XGames
9:00 p.m. - Women’s ski superpipe - Aspen, Colo. - @XGames
10:30 p.m. - Men’s ski superpipe, snowboard knuckle huck* - Aspen, Colo. - ESPN2

Saturday, Jan. 30
1:00 p.m. - Women’s ski slopestyle, men’s snowboard slopestyle, women’s snowboard big air, women’s ski big air** - Aspen, Colo. - ABC
8:00 p.m. - Men’s ski big air - Aspen, Colo. - @XGames
10:00 p.m. - Women’s snowboard superpipe, men’s ski big air* - Aspen, Colo. - ESPN

Sunday, Jan. 31
1:00 p.m. - Men’s ski slopestyle, women’s snowboard slopestyle**, Aspen, Colo. - ABC
8:30 p.m. - Men’s snowboard superpipe, men’s snowboard big air, ski knuckle huck - Aspen, Colo. - ESPN

ATHLETES
X Games Debut*

Snowboard
Red Gerard - SS
Dusty Henricksen* – SS, BA, KH
Judd Henkes - SS
Jamie Anderson – SS, BA, KH
Hailey Langland - SS
Julia Marino – SS, BA
Taylor Gold - HP
Chase Josey - HP
Toby Miller - HP
Shaun White - HP
Sonora Alba* – HP
Chloe Kim - HP
Maddie Mastro - HP
Chris Corning - BA
Lyon Farrell - KH, SS
Jake Canter - KH

Freeski
Nick Goepper - SS
Alex Hall – SS, BA, KH
Colby Stevenson – SS, KH
Caroline Claire – SS, BA
Aaron Blunck – HP
Alex Ferreira – HP
Birk Irving – HP
David Wise – HP
Annalisa Drew – HP
Devin Logan – HP
Brita Sigourney – HP
Quinn Wolferman – BA, KH

FOLLOW
Instagram - @ussnowboardteam
Facebook - @usskiandsnowboard

Interested in organization, athlete, and event related news?
Sign up for our Daily or Weekly Update

Learn more about how to support the U.S. Freeski & Snowboard Teams.
 

U.S. Ski & Snowboard has named 21 athletes to represent the Land Rover U.S. Alpine Ski Team at the 2021 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, February 8-21. 

With 12 podiums across five different athletes this season, as well as several career-best results, the U.S. Alpine Ski Team has been on a roll heading into the highly-anticipated World Championships at the Italian venue—a favorite stop on the Tour for the Americans. 

Alpine Director Jesse Hunt stands by his “winning at every level” mantra, and the success has paid off, across levels. “This has been an unprecedented year, but our athletes have shined in the gloom of COVID,” commented Hunt. “We have celebrated many firsts with regard to new athletes reaching the podium and achieving World Cup points. We are proud to announce this team and we are looking forward to an amazing championship in Cortina filled with more inspiring results.”

Led by four-time World Championship gold slalom medalist and defending super-G World Champion as well as giant slalom bronze medalist, Mikaela Shiffrin, and four-time 2020-21 podium finisher Breezy Johnson, the roster will feature nine women and ten men. Shiffrin earned the title of four-time reigning world champion in the 2019 World Championship slalom in Åre, Sweden, battling through a bad chest cold surpassing Germany’s Christl Cranz back in 1939, who won three slalom World Champs golds in a row. 

Five-time World Champion Ted Ligety and 2015 World Championships downhill silver medalist Travis Ganong, lead the way for the men, as Ryan Cochran-Siegle’s participation after his crash in the recent Kitzbuehel, Austria downhill is still in question (though unlikely after initial consultation). The list of those who will be making their World Championships debut includes a mix of former and current collegiate skiers, as well as rising stars who have come up through the NorAm, Europa Cup, and World Juniors ranks including Katie Hensien, AJ Hurt, Isabella Wright, Alex Leever, River Radamus, Ben Ritchie, Jett Seymour, and Luke Winters. 

Notably missing from competition will be both Tommy Ford and Keely Cashman, who each met objective World Championship team criteria, but are currently sidelined with injuries.

Cortina d’Ampezzo is a regular stop on the women’s World Cup speed tour, and a storied venue for Americans, past and present, with Shiffrin and Jackie Wiles both having podiumed in the World Cup, as well as strong top-15 results from Johnson in downhill. Fans can follow all of the action in Cortina d’Ampezzo on NBC, NBCSN and the Olympic Channel, with live streaming on Peacock Premium.

2021 FIS SKI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS TEAM
(Name, hometown, ski club, birthdate, past World Champs Teams)

WOMEN

• Keely Cashman* (Strawberry, Calif.; Squaw Valley Ski Team; 4/4/1999)**
• Katie Hensien* (Redmond, Wash.; Rowmark Ski Academy/University of Denver; 12/1/1999)
• AJ Hurt* (Carnelian Bay, Calif.; Squaw Valley Ski Team; 12/5/2000)
• Breezy Johnson (Victor, Idaho; Rowmark Ski Academy; 1/19/1996; 2017)
• Paula Moltzan (Prior Lake, Minn.; Buck Hill Ski Team/Ski and Snowboard Club Vail/University of Vermont; 4/7/1994; 2015, 2019)
• Nina O’Brien (San Francisco, Calif.; Burke Mountain Academy/Squaw Valley Ski Team; 11/29/1997; 2019)
• Laurenne Ross (Bend, Ore.; Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation; 8/17/1988)
• Mikaela Shiffrin (Eagle-Vail, Colo.; Burke Mountain Academy/Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 3/13/1995; 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019)
• Jacqueline Wiles (Aurora, Ore.; White Pass Ski Club; 7/13/1992; 2015, 2017, 2019)
• Isabella Wright* (Salt Lake City, UT; Snowbird Sports Education Foundation; 2/10/1997)

MEN

• Bryce Bennett (Squaw Valley, Calif.; Squaw Valley Ski Team; 7/14/1992; 2017, 2019)
• Ryan Cochran-Siegle (Starksboro, Vt.; Cochran’s/Mount Mansfield Ski & Snowboard Club; 3/27/1992; 2013, 2017, 2019)
• Tommy Ford (Bend, Ore.; Mt. Bachelor Ski Education Foundation; 3/20/1989)**
• Travis Ganong (Squaw Valley, Calif.; Squaw Valley Ski Team; 7/14/1988; 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019)
• Jared Goldberg (Holladay, Utah; Snowbird Sports Education Foundation; 6/15/1991; 2015, 2017)
• Alex Leever* (Vail, Colo.; Team America/University of Denver; 7/6/1995)  
• Ted Ligety (Park City, Utah; Park City Ski and Snowboard; 8/31/1984; 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017 - qualified but injured, 2019)
• River Radamus* (Edwards, Colo.; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 2/12/1998)
• Ben Ritchie* (Waitsfield, Vt.; Green Mountain Valley School; 9/5/2000)
• Jett Seymour* (Steamboat, Colo.; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club/University of Denver; 11/5/1998)
• Luke Winters* (Gresham, Ore.; Sugar Bowl Academy; 4/2/1997)

*Denotes first World Championships team
**Sidelined with injury, but met objective team criteria

COMPETITION SCHEDULE
2021 FIS Ski World Championships
Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy 

Monday, Feb 8
Alpine Combined - Women

Tuesday, Feb. 9
Super-G - Women
Super-G - Men

Wednesday, Feb. 10
Alpine Combined - Men
Downhill Training 1 - Women 

Thursday, Feb. 11
Downhill Training 2 - Women
Downhill Training 1 - Men

Friday, Feb. 12
Downhill Training 3 - Women
Downhill Training 2 - Men

Saturday, Feb. 13
Downhill - Women
Downhill Training 3 - Men

Sunday, Feb. 14
Downhill - Men 

Monday, Feb. 15
Day Off

Tuesday, Feb. 16
Parallel - Women
Parallel - Men

Wednesday, Feb. 17
Team Parallel 

Thursday, Feb. 18
Giant Slalom - Women

Friday, Feb. 19
Giant Slalom - Men

Saturday, Feb. 20
Slalom - Women

Sunday, Feb. 21
Slalom - Men

Follow the Land Rover U.S. Alpine Ski Team:
Instagram: @usskiteam
Facebook: @usskiandsnowboard
Twitter: @usskiteam

Learn more about how you can support U.S. Ski & Snowboard athletes this season here.

---------

HEY! Would you like to sign up for Megan Harrod's World Cup Notes, World Champs-style—a behind-the-scenes race day communication? Yeah?! Click here, fill out the form, and tick the "Alpine World Cup Notes from Megan Harrod" box
 

Alex Leever led three U.S. men into the second run in the annual Schladming night slalom, crashing into the finish to take 24th place and score his first World Cup points.

While Schladming is normally one of the most exciting races on the World Cup circuit, the race was notably subdued without 45,000 screaming Austrians cheering on their favorites. But that didn’t seem to keep the Austrian team down, with Marco Schwarz snagging the win at home to retain the FIS World Cup overall slalom lead. Frenchmen Clement Noel and Alexis Pinturault were second and third, respectively.  

It snowed heavily all night long, but the expert course crew kept the surface slick and firm, allowing three U.S. men to attack from the back first run and qualify for a second run. Ben Ritchie, wearing bib 47, led the men in 17th place while Alex Leever (bib 66) was 26th and Jett Seymour (bib 58) was 30th. None of the men had ever qualified for a second run prior to Schladming. Luke Winters did not finish the first run.

Ritchie skied well out of the gate second run, but got bucked around in the soft snow and missed a gate. Seymour ran first in the second run, but got into trouble—and while he finished the race to take 25th place, he did not score points.

Leever, a former NCAA All American skier for the University of Denver and racing in just his third World Cup, put down a solid run to try and finish the tough offset course. But just after the final hairpin, there were three significant turns that tripped up a lot of the men. Leever got back on his tails two gates before the finish, sending him flying through the finish line and crashing with a face full of snow after the lights. He pumped his fist into the air, knowing that he managed to keep his skis and boots around the last two gates, officially making him a World Cup finisher and scoring him his first-ever World Cup points. 

"It was an amazing, amazing experience to qualify for a second run and to score my first points," said Leever. "You obviously have this belief growing up that you’re going to be a World Cup skier but there are always these nagging doubts if it was actually going to happen... I came through and saw myself in the top 30 was surreal. I was hit with so many emotions—I couldn’t believe it. It was such this wave, achieving my lifelong dream of scoring World Cup points. It’s all up from here hopefully."

Ryan Wilson, the Land Rover U.S. Alpine Ski Team men’s World Cup slalom coach, was also excited about the progress in the race and seeing three U.S. men in the second run. “Another very productive first step,” he said. “Three new guys in the second run—that’s something we gotta celebrate.”

The tech men have two more slalom races in Chamonix January 30-31 before the FIS Ski World Championships in Cortina begin February 8. “Excited for the next two races now,” said Ryan. “We’re all chomping at the bit. We’ve been in a bit of a lull since Luke’s race in Adelboden. We definitely had a great training block before this and I think that showed across the board. We’re ready for more—eager, hungry, readier than we’ve ever been for more.”

The race also marked the end of 41-year-old Frenchman Julien Lizeroux’s career. One of the mainstays on the World Cup for two decades (and with one of the best start gate flips in World Cup history), the skier provided leadership and guidance for many young athletes on the circuit. U.S. Ski & Snowboard bids him good luck in his future endeavors and thanks him for all he did for the sport over the years. 

RESULTS
Men’s slalom

HOW TO WATCH 
*All times EST

Tuesday, Jan. 26
11:30 p.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Men's Downhill (Sunday), Kitzbuehel, AUT, Broadcast NBCSN
12:30 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Women's Giant Slalom - same-day broadcast, Kronplatz, ITA, Broadcast NBCSN

Land Rover U.S. Alpine Ski Team athlete and Olympian Tommy Ford announced on Tuesday via Instagram that he will be sidelined for the remainder of the season with knee and hand injuries, as well as a concussion, sustained during a horrific crash at Adelboden, Switzerland during the second of two FIS Ski World Cup giant slalom races. 

Tommy was putting down an aggressive first run before he high-sided a few gates before the finish, sending him head over heels to eventually slide into the net before the finish. Prior to loading in the helicopter, Tommy was conscious and speaking to emergency responders. He was taken to the hospital in Bern, Switzerland for evaluation, prior to flying home to Bend, Ore. to recover. 

Tommy has had a banner 2020-21 season so far, nailing four World Cup top-10 results, including a podium in Santa Caterina. This season had followed up a strong, albeit shortened, 2019-20 season with two GS podiums. With these stellar results, Tommy made objective criteria for the upcoming 2021 FIS Ski World Championships in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, but will be sidelined. All the best to Tommy for a thorough recovery, and rest assured he will be back stronger. 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Tommy Ford (@tommyford)

In the final FIS Ski World Cup giant slalom before the 2021 FIS World Championships, two-time Olympic champion Mikaela Shiffrin snagged fourth place in Kronplatz, Italy.

Tessa Worley, whose longtime boyfriend Julien Lizeroux will retire this evening at Schladming, Austria's Night Race, put on a show second run, hammering from fifth place to take the big win. Lara Gut-Behrami was second—her third podium in four races in three different disciplines—and World Cup giant slalom leader Marta Bassino rounded out the podium in third.

It was a gorgeous day on Kronplatz’s Erta slope and Shiffrin skied into second place after the first run, behind Switzerland's Michelle Gisin. The lights were out on the bottom section of the Erta, and Shiffrin had a little trouble on the pitch second run, which put her back to fourth. Still, she was excited about being just off the podium again in giant slalom—putting her in the top six in all five giant slaloms she’s raced so far this season.

The Erta slope is known as one of the most challenging on the World Cup circuit. The start is located at 1,605 m (5,266 ft.) on the Piz de Plaies, while the finish is at 1,200 m (3,937 ft.), for an elevation change of 405 m (1,329 ft.) with a length of 1,325 m (4,347 ft.). In fact, the word "Erta" in the Ladin language means “the steep one”. The average slope is 32% and ranges from 22-61%. In order to prevail on this track, one has to work from top to bottom, bring the fire, and take risks.  

"Congrats to Tessa, Lara, and Marta for putting on an impressive show. It's a tough hill, so kudos to the girls who threw down," Shiffrin said after the race. "I felt like I made a few good turns both runs and my giant slalom is moving in the right direction, but it was a tough, bumpy, and dark second run. I'm really looking forward to getting another good training block in prior to World Champs at Cortina d'Ampezzo—which is one of my favorite venues on the Tour."  

The Land Rover U.S. Alpine Ski Team packed women in the second run, with Paula Moltzan skiing from bib 47 to 15th place and Nina O’Brien in 21st. Even with a sizeable mistake second run, O’Brien finished 25th overall to score for the fifth time in GS this season. Moltzan did not finish, but she's OK and skied down. AJ Hurt was also skiing strong, but skied out and did not finish the first run.

The tech women are done racing until the FIS World Championships in Cortina, Italy kicks off on February 8, while the speed team heads to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany for downhill and super-G over the weekend.

RESULTS
Women’s giant slalom

HOW TO WATCH 
*All times EST

Tuesday, Jan. 26
11:45 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Men's Slalom, run 1 - LIVE, Schladming, AUT, Streaming Peacock
2:45 p.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Men's Slalom, run 2 - LIVE, Schladming, AUT, Streaming Peacock
11:30 p.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Men's Downhill (Sunday), Kitzbuehel, AUT, Broadcast NBCSN
12:30 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Women's Giant Slalom - same-day broadcast, Kronplatz, ITA, Broadcast NBCSN

Travis Ganong was again the top Land Rover U.S. Alpine Ski Team member in Monday's rescheduled Hahnenkamm super-G in Kitzbuehel, Austria, finishing 27th. Jared Goldberg also finished in the points in 30th.

In a rescheduled super-G, pushed from Sunday to Monday due to weather on Saturday, the conditions changed drastically—from grippy snow to a sheet of ice—and there were 13 DNFs. The sun once again stayed behind the clouds...at least for most of the field. In a sport where there are more variables than one can fathom, the light can have a drastic difference from one racer to the next. Such was the case on Monday. This change enabled guys from the back of the pack to capitalize—including France's Matthieu Bailet, who went from bib 50 to eighth. Vincent Kriechmayr of Austria won, with Switzerland's Marco Odermatt in second and Austria's Matthias Mayer rounding out the podium in third, making it his third podium at Kizbuehel in this 81st edition. 

The #Streif is looking particularly...slick...this morning. 😳

Toe pick? @USFigureSkating pic.twitter.com/D6BcpHQFAL

— U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team (@usskiteam) January 25, 2021

Goldberg, who was "iced" (experienced a long course hold in the start gate) in both Friday and Sunday's downhills, had yet another long course hold, as the Italian who started before him crashed and was taken to the hospital by helicopter. Goldberg said about the guy who worked the start gate, "I've gotten to know him. Spent quite a lot of time with him over the last few days. He looked back at me today, and hesitantly said, 'stop-start'...and then he added, 'It's going to be a while.'" At the top of the course, Goldberg caught the most air he's ever caught in a super-G but was skiing fast and solid before a mistake on the bumpy and dark traverse at the bottom—the same place where teammate Ganong made a mistake and lost time. 

Ganong was once again the top American man in Kitzbuehel, grabbing points in 27th. Rounding out the Land Rover U.S. Alpine Ski Team, Jared Goldberg finished in the points in 30th from bib 48. Bryce Bennett was 36th. 

Up next for the men is the famed night slalom at Schladming, Austria on Tuesday night. The men's speed crew will get a short break before heading to Garmisch next weekend for a speed series. 

RESULTS
Men’s super-G

HOW TO WATCH 
*All times EST

Tuesday, Jan. 26
4:30 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Women's Giant Slalom, run 1 - LIVE, Kronplatz, ITA, Streaming Peacock
7:30 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Women's Giant Slalom, run 2 - LIVE, Kronplatz, ITA, Broadcast Olympic Chanel
7:30 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Women's Giant Slalom, run 2 - LIVE, Kronplatz, ITA, Streaming Peacock
11:45 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Men's Slalom, run 1 - LIVE, Schladming, AUT, Streaming Peacock
2:45 p.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Men's Slalom, run 2 - LIVE, Schladming, AUT, Streaming Peacock
11:30 p.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Men's Downhill (Sunday), Kitzbuehel, AUT, Broadcast NBCSN
12:30 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup Women's Giant Slalom - same-day broadcast, Kronplatz, ITA, Broadcast NBCSN