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Alpine

Masters Welcomes Coaches with a Complementary Membership

By Lauren Beckos
June, 8 2023
Willy Camp Coaches at the Masters Summer Fun Nationals Race on Mt. Hood
Willy Camp Coaches at the Masters Summer Fun Nationals Race on Mt. Hood

All U.S. Ski & Snowboard Alpine Coaches can add a complementary Alpine Master membership to their cart when they renew their membership or contact member services to have it added. Thank you for your hard work and dedication in your sport! We hope you will check out the Masters schedules and events and join us for a race.

There are many benefits to participating in a masters race as a coach:

  • Participation in one masters race earns you 2 continuing education credits. This can be used once every two years. Submit using the continuing education request form after the race. See the framework instructions for more information about continuing ed credits that you are required to get to maintain a current coach's certification.
  • Practice what you preach. Doing what you teach your athletes gives you insights that you don't get from the sidelines. It is informative, valuable, and makes you a better coach.
  • It’s YOU time! Have fun! Remember how exhilarating it is to feel the speed, rhythm, and adrenaline of a ski race. Reconnect with why you first fell in the love with alpine ski racing.
  • Set a course and then get to race it! Contact the masters event organizer to see if a course-setter is needed if you would like to set. (The masters course-setting matrix is available here.)
  • No special gear needed besides a FIS-legal helmet! Masters do not have ski requirements. Throw down on those cheater GS skis or any other skis you've got in your quiver that you love!

Masters racing provides opportunities for adults of all ages and abilities to compete against their peers in alpine ski races across the United States. Masters is a multi-generational, passionate, fun-loving group. Come for the races, stay for the life-long friendships and love of the sport.

For more information about the Masters group in your area:

Division    Website
Central Division    midwestmasters.org
Eastern Division (New England)    nemsracing.org
Eastern Division (Mid-Atlantic)    mamasters.org
Eastern Division (Southern)    saraski.org
 Far West    farwestmasters.org 
Intermountain/Northern    intermountainmasters.org 
Pacific Northwest    pnwdivision.org/masters 
 Rocky    rmmskiracing.org  

 

For more information regarding the Masters program please visit usskiandsnowboard.org/masters.

Masters Have the Need For Speed

By Lauren Beckos
May, 1 2024
2024 National Speed Series Group Champions
2024 National Speed Series Champions - Women: Andrea Levy, Men Ages 18-64: Chris Maxwell, Men Age 65+: Jesse Scroggins

Every year the release of the Masters National Speed Series schedule is highly anticipated. Speed races require more setup and resources to execute so the opportunities to race speed as an adult are limited. Masters speed racers plot out their season trying to hit as many of the speed races as possible, often having to adjust plans on a moments when races are rescheduled or canceled do to heavy snowfall. Just a few inches of snow with the right conditions can make a speed track unsafe for competition. As the saying goes... if you want snow, schedule a downhill! It is near impossible to pull off a full season of speed without any hiccups. 

The 2024 US Ski & Snowboard Alpine Masters National Speed Series, sponsored by A Racer's Edge, consisted a series of 23 SG and DH speed events, with races held in six divisions (PNSA, Far West, Intermountain, Rocky, Central, and Eastern). Heavy snow in the Far West and wet snow in the East and Pacific Northwest forced some cancelations we still had a solid 15 SG races at 8 resorts (Sun Valley, Granite Peak, West Mountain, Beaver Creek, Gore Mountain, Northstar, Breckenridge, and Mt. Bachelor) to contest the series. Unfortunately we were unable to host any of the DH races in 2024.

The 2024 A Racer's Edge National Speed Series overall champions are the top competitor in the overall group rankings for each group based on total world cup points accumulated in the series. Congratulations to the 2024 A Racer's Edge Speed Series Group Champions: Top finishers in overall standings

  • Group C (all women): Andrea Levy (W02, EA).
  • Group A/B (men age 20-64): Chris Maxwell (M08, IM)
  • Group D (men age 65-80+): Jesse Scroggins (M09, PN)

The 2024 A Racer's Edge National Speed Series age class belt buckles are given to the top three competitors based on total world cup points accumulated in the series. Competitors must have at least three starts to be eligible for series awards.

NSS Champions

 

For full series results go to: usalpinemasters.org/2024/nss

Thank you to A Racer's Edge for sponsoring this year's speed series!

A Racer's Edge Logo

Alpine Team Announces Key Staffing Changes for 2024-25

By Sierra Ryder - Stifel U.S. Ski Team
April, 23 2024
copper
Racers prepare for a training run in Copper. (U.S. Ski & Snowboard)

PARK CITY, Utah (April 24, 2024) – The Stifel U.S. Ski Team announced key staffing changes for the upcoming 2024-25 season across both the men’s and women’s alpine teams. 

Both alpine teams had a strong 2023-24 season, securing 10 World Cup wins, 21 podiums and 51 top 10 results in the World Cup across 11 athletes.

“We had a very good 2023-24 season and we are excited to build upon this success with these new hires,” said U.S. Ski & Snowboard Chief of Sport Anouk Patty. “The coaches joining our organization are sure to make a positive impact on the future of our alpine programs.”

The team will be led by men’s head coach Mark Tilston and women’s head coach Paul Kristofic.

MEN

Longtime coach with the Stifel U.S. Ski Team, Ian Garner, is stepping down as the head men’s World Cup tech coach. Garner led the men’s tech team to some strong results across the board for several seasons, highlighted by River Radamus’ career best season this past year including his first podium . 

“We are so grateful for everything that Ian has done with the men’s World Cup team,” said Tilston. “His knowledge is invaluable to us and we look forward to collaborating with him as we make this transition.”

Stepping in as the head men’s World Cup giant slalom coach is Fabien Munier. Munier joins the Stifel U.S. Ski Team from the French Ski Federation where he has most notably worked with Olympic medalist, world champion and previous overall FIS Crystal Globe winner Alexis Pinterault, as well as the French Europa Cup speed and World Cup tech teams. 

Former French Ski Federation coach Claude Cretier also joins the men’s World Cup group. Cretier, an Olympic ski racer who finished fifth in the 2002 downhill, coached French greats such as Pinterault and Olympic medalist Victor Muffat-Jeandet. 

“Fabien and Claude’s background with the French Ski Federation shows that both have the experience and drive to make a positive impact on our team,” said Tilston. “We have a great group of athletes and Fabien and Claude will push our athletes to the next level of competition.”

On the men’s slalom side, Tristan Glasse-Davies joins the team as the head men’s slalom World Cup coach. Glasse-Davies most recently coached with GB Snowsports as the head men’s slalom coach for Dave Ryding as well as up-and-coming slalom skiers Billy Major and Laurie Taylor. Glasse-Davies has been key in Ryding’s slalom career, coaching him to one of the top slalom skiers in the world. Glasse-Davies was also a pivotal member of the team that claimed Great Britain’s first ever alpine World Cup win with Ryding at Kitzbühel in 2022. 

“It is exciting to have Tristan join our men’s slalom group,” said Tilston. “Tristan’s direction and experience is sure to help our slalom skiers reach their full potential.”

The men’s Europa Cup team will see new leadership under Clement Tomamichel. Tomamichel most recently coached with the French Ski Federation on the women’s development and Europa Cup teams. 

WOMEN

On the women’s alpine side, head tech coach Magnus Andersson has stepped down from his position. Andersson was a pivotal member of the women’s staff for eight years, leading the women’s tech team to a career-best season, first time podiums and Nations Cup discipline wins. “Through the years on the team Magnus has had an incredible impact on our athletes and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors” said Kristofic. Rudi Soulard has since been promoted to head women’s tech coach. Soulard was the assistant coach with the tech team in 2023-24 and made excellent strides with the staff and athletes alike.

His previous coaching experience includes head slalom coach for the French women’s team, coaching World Cup great Viktoria Rebensburg to two Olympic medals, two World Championship medals, 49 World Cup podiums and three giant slalom FIS Crystal Globes. Soulard is no stranger to the organization – he was also the head men’s tech coach with the Stifel U.S. Ski Team from 2008-10 where he worked with Ted Ligety as he secured two giant slalom Crystal Globes and a bronze medal at the 2009 Alpine World Championships.

“We are thrilled to have Rudi at the helm of our women’s tech team,” said Kristofic. “We know he will continue to build upon and raise the bar of this talented group of skiers.”  

Mikaela Shiffrin will bring in a new assistant coach this upcoming season with Janne Haarala, who most recently coached the Norwegian national team. He was the head women’s tech coach with the Norwegians for the past six years. 

I’m super stoked to be part of the journey with the most successful alpine skier in the world,” said Haarala. “I am committed to working hard and sharing my experience and passion for alpine skiing with this team.” 

Finally, the women’s Europa Cup team will also have a new coach: Miha Kurner. Kurner joins the team from Killington Mountain School where he was the Alpine Program Director and U18 women’s coach. Kurner will bring a breadth of not just coaching experience but also his successful racing career where on the Slovenian Alpine Ski Team he raced on the Europa Cup and World Cup circuits. 

“We are very excited about the future of the alpine program with these excellent new hires,” said Patty. “These new staff additions build upon our previous success leading into a World Championships season and Olympic year on the horizon. Our teams are ready and equipped to begin prepping for the coming season.” 

A full staff announcement will be released this fall, in tandem with the official Stifel U.S. Alpine Ski Team announcement. 

2023-24 Alpine Season Wrap Up

By Sierra Ryder - Stifel U.S. Ski Team
April, 17 2024
river
River Radamus and the team celebrate his first podium. (U.S. Ski & Snowboard/Dustin Satloff)

As the sun shines and the snow starts to melt off the mountains, it's time to reflect on the success of the 2023-24 season for the Stifel U.S. Alpine Ski Team. 

In total, the alpine team brought home 10 World Cup wins, 21 podiums and 51 top 10 results across the men and women’s World Cup teams. With multiple career best seasons, overall ranks, first-time podiums and stellar comeback seasons, let’s take a look at how it all shook out. 

Men’s Alpine 

On the men’s tour this season, the Stifel U.S. Ski Team bagged three podiums, one World Cup win and 17 top 10 results. The season started off with a bang in Val Gardena, Italy for the men’s speed team when two-time Olympian Bryce Bennett won the first downhill of the season, his second World Cup win. Bennett did it in style coming from behind to upset speed superstars Marco Odermatt of Switzerland and Aleksander Kilde of Norway. (If you haven't seen the reaction video of this moment, it's worth a look.) Bennett followed up his win with a third place result just two days later on the same track. Also to note - Bennett made the second largest downhill rank leap this season from 37th to fifth in the world. 

Teammate and Olympic silver medalist Ryan Cochran-Siegle also had a strong and consistent season. His best result was a fourth place in Kitzbühel, Austria in the first of two downhills, finishing just 0.01 seconds off a podium result. Both Bennett and Cochran-Siegle finished their downhill season with career best rankings: Bennett fifth in the discipline and Cochran-Siegle eighth. Younger athlete Kyle Negomir also made positive strides, finishing in the top 30 for super-G.  

Overall, it was a step in the right direction for the men’s speed team as a unit, closing the season with six men in the top 20 in the final downhill in Kvitfjell, Norway. The team finished fifth in the Nations Cup for downhill—just a few points off Austria in fourth. 

On the men’s tech side, River Radamus had his best ever season. Radamus consistently posted strong giant slalom results, all leading up to his first World Cup podium on home snow at the Stifel Palisades Tahoe Cup where he scored third place. Radamus also dabbled in slalom, shooting up from bib 70 to 19th place in Adelboden, Switzerland and showed solid super-G results with a top 10 result in Garmisch, Germany. He finished his giant slalom season ranked 11th, his best rank to date. 

On the men’s slalom team, Jett Seymour continued to show his speed in the stacked men’s field with his best result coming at the Stifel Palisades Tahoe Cup in 15th. 

It was an exciting season for the team’s young guns too. Up-and-coming tech skier Ryder Sarchett won gold at Junior Worlds in the giant slalom, the United States’ first gold in the discipline since Radamus in 2019. This victory enabled him to make his World Cup debut at World Cup Finals, when he scored the third fastest second run in the giant slalom, proving that he is ready for the big leagues. Jack Smith also made his World Cup debut this season in the super-G in Garmisch, Germany. 

Women’s Alpine

The women’s alpine season was highlighted by the winningest alpine skier of all time, Mikaela Shiffrin, claiming her record-equaling eighth slalom Crystal Globedespite being out of the circuit for six weeks due to a knee injury. This season, Shiffrin again won more World Cups than any other woman on the circuit—nine victories across three disciplines, including a downhill, a giant slalom and seven wins in slalom. She now has 97 World Cup wins to her name, with an astounding win number 100 just around the corner.

AJ Hurt had a tremendous breakthrough year on the World Cup circuit, securing her first two World Cup podiums: one in slalom and one in giant slalom. She proved that she is a force on the women’s tech circuit across both disciplines. Teammate Paula Moltzan also showed immense speed and consistency this season, highlighted by her third career World Cup podium in the Soldeu, Andorra slalom race. Moltzan closed out her season with her best giant slalom result to date at World Cup Finals when she scored a sixth place result, her eighth top 10 result in the discipline. 

Although the women’s tech team was smaller this season due to injury setbacks, the women still won the Nations Cup for slalom for the second year in a row with three different women standing on the podium in slalom. A feat that has not happened since 1970 when Barbara Ann Cochran, Kiki Cutter and Jody Nagel all stepped on the podium in slalom that season. 

The women’s World Cup speed circuit was highlighted by Jackie Wiles who made a tremendous comeback this season, landing on the podium in the World Cup downhill in Cortina—the 2026 Olympic venue. Lauren Macuga also had a breakout season, with three top 10 results in super-G, including a fifth place in Kvitfjell, Norway. Macuga ended her season ranked 13th in the women’s super-G standings and qualifying for her first World Cup Finals. 

Tricia Mangan also had a great season on the Europa Cup circuit, securing two super-G podiums and one downhill podium. 

Young Talent

The Stifel U.S. Ski Team brought a few fresh faces to the World Cup tour this season. In the opener in Soelden, Austria, sister duo Elisabeth and Mary Bocock made waves in the ski racing world as they debuted together as the first sisters to make their World Cup debut together since 1999. Dasha Romanov also made her first World Cup start in the Levi, Finland slalom and Allison Mollin made her speed World Cup debut in Crans Montana, Switzerland. 

The future is bright for the Stifel U.S. Ski Team. Along with the impressive World Juniors result by Sarchett and the number of World Cup debuts, the Stifel U.S. Ski Team claimed two NorAm Cup titles this season. Allison Mollin won both the super-G and downhill titles. 

Now the Stifel U.S. Ski Team looks to the future with a World Championships season looming and an Olympics year on the horizon. The team is fired up for a summer of prep and training to continue the fight to be the best in the world. 

Paine Endorsed for FIS Council Election by U.S. Ski & Snowboard Board of Directors, United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee

By U.S. Ski & Snowboard
April, 16 2024
Dexter Paine

U.S. Ski & Snowboard and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee announced their full support for Dexter Paine in his candidacy for the International Ski & Snowboard Federation (FIS) Council. 

As a visionary leader with a deep commitment to skiing and snowboarding and its athletes, Paine has been involved in governance at both the national and international levels for decades. He served as a member of the FIS Council Executive Committee from 2014-22 and has acted as an ex-officio honorary member from 2022 to the present. Throughout his time with FIS, Paine focused on transparency, communication and inclusivity, including championing for female representation on the Council, longer terms for athlete representatives and the inclusivity of Paralympic sports. 

Paine currently serves as a member of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee Board of Directors (2021-present), is on the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Foundation Board (2002-24) and is actively involved in the Salt Lake City 2034 Olympic Winter Games bid. Previously, Paine was Chairman of the Board of the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Board of Directors (2006-19) and was on U.S. Biathlon’s Board of Directors (2020-24). He has extensive experience in event delivery as an Executive Committee member of the 2015 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in Vail/Beaver Creek, Colorado and the 2019 Freestyle, Freeski & Snowboard World Championships in Park City, Utah. 

Paine is the chairman at Paine Schwartz Partners and has more than 25 years of investment experience and 35 years in the private equity industry. In addition to his professional achievements, Paine is widely respected for his integrity, vision and dedication to the sport. His collaborative approach and strategic mindset have positioned him as a trusted leader within the skiing and snowboarding community.

The U.S. Ski & Snowboard Board of Directors firmly believes that Paine’s extensive experience and unwavering passion make him the ideal person to represent the interests of athletes and federations worldwide, unanimously putting forward his candidacy. 

"Dexter Paine's dedication to the advancement of skiing and snowboarding is unparalleled,” said Sophie Goldschmidt, President & CEO of U.S. Ski & Snowboard. “His leadership has consistently propelled our sports forward, and we know he will bring that same level of commitment and expertise to the FIS Council. We are proud to endorse Dexter and are confident in his ability to advocate effectively for the interests of athletes and federations around the world."

Gene Sykes, Chairman of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee, also voiced his support. "As an organization committed to supporting American athletes on the global stage, we recognize the importance of strong leadership within international federations,” said Sykes.
“Dexter’s proven track record of leadership and advocacy aligns perfectly with the values of the Olympic movement. We fully endorse Dexter's candidacy for the FIS Council and believe he will be an outstanding representative for skiing and snowboarding on the international level."

Olympic champion Kikkan Randall, who has served on the IOC Board, USOPC Board and FIS Council, echoed the sentiments: “Dexter has been an incredible leader and advocate for skiing and snowboarding across all levels. He understands the complex needs of all stakeholders and has always championed the athletes' voices in the process. He brings a wealth of experience, tremendous passion and dedication to making sport fair, safe and positioned for growth. Dexter is well respected across the sports universe and has been an excellent collaborator between organizations. I am proud to endorse Dexter’s candidacy.”

The election for the FIS Council takes place at FIS Congress on June 5, 2024. 

Ski Cross Success at Junior World Championships

By Sierra Ryder - Stifel U.S. Ski Team
April, 15 2024
ski cross
Morgan Shute and Jack Mitchell hug after the team event. (Team Summit - Alexander Neimert)

In Idre Fjall, Sweden, the Ski Cross Junior World Championships team found tremendous success both individually and in the team event, highlighted by a team event bronze medal from Morgan Shute and Jack Mitchell. 

In the individual competitions, two-time Youth Olympic Games silver medalist Shute claimed fifth place in the individual competition. The next top performer for the U.S. was Maggie Swain in 16th and Molly Hagan in 27th. On the men’s side, Jack Mitchell found the top 10 in ninth place. Walker Robinson was 21st and Sullivan Butler 37th. 

Shute, who hails from Carabassett Valley Academy, and Mitchell, from the Evolve SX/Mission Ridge Ski Team, teamed up together to snag the bronze medal in the team event. 

RESULTS
Ski Cross Junior World Championships

USA FIS Masters Racers Celebrate a Decorated 2024 Season

By Lauren Beckos
April, 12 2024
Knut Olberg and Lisa Ballard win 1st place in their age class in the 2024 FIS Masters Cup
Knut Olberg and Lisa Ballard win 1st place in their age class in the 2024 FIS Masters Cup - Globes presented in Reiteralm, AUT

Congratulations to the USA athletes that achieved International ranking for the 2024 FIS Masters Cup Season!

Special congrats to Charlie Hauser (2nd in Age Class B12-RM), Knut Olberg (1st in Age Class B11-IM), Lydia Young (3rd in Age Class C10-RM) and Lisa Densmore Ballard (1st in Age Class C7-NO) for Winning Globes in their age class! Lisa was also 1st place for the women overall in SG! Knut and Lisa were on site in Reiteralm, AUT at the FMC Finals to receive their globes in person.

See the full 2024 FMC Final Standings! USA Ranked athletes shown here:

2024 FMC Ranked

Results from the USA FIS Masters Cup in Beaver Creek can be found at: usalpinemasters.org/2024/fismasters

Full results from all FIS Masters Races

Here are the USA racer results summary from this season!

2023 FMC Bariloche Results
2023 FMC December2024 FMC Jan Results2024 FMC lateJan-Feb Results2024 WCM Reults2024 FMC Mar-Apr Results

Three Alpine Athletes Win Big in World Pro Ski Tour

By U.S. Ski & Snowboard
April, 4 2024
steffey
George Steffey wins the giant slalom in the World Pro Ski Tour. (World Pro Ski Tour)

Release courtesy of World Pro Ski Tour

2024 World Pro Ski Tour TAOS World Championships, presented by New Mexico True Results

Super Slalom World Championships, presented by SportsInsurance.com and CB Sports – March 29, 2024

After exciting qualifying rounds and Ski TAOS’ Kachina Basin, the men faced off starting in a round of 32 and the women qualified to a field of 16 based on entry numbers. Regardless of competition size, men and women receive equal prize money and race on the same course at all World Pro Ski Tour races. Here's how it all panned out:

MEN

Joining the WPST TAOS World Championships were regular WPST competitors including U.S. Ski Team veteran, Michael Ankeny (USA); Current Tour leader, Christian Soevik (NOR); German national team veteran, Roman Frost (GER); 2023 Tour Overall Champion, Simon Breitfuss-Kammerlander (AUT); six-time All-American, Filip Forejtek (CZE) and more. These athletes set up to face off the likes of 2023 WPST World Champion, Reto Schmidiger (SUI); 2023 FIS Parallel World Champion, Alex Schmid (GER);  U.S. Ski Team and TAOS athlete River Radamus (USA); World Cup tech specialist, Sam Maes (AUT); Austrian World Cupper, Raphael Hauser (AUT) and more. 

Round of 32 surprises included a fast elimination of 2023 Tour Champion, Simon Breitfuss-Kammerlander who qualified poorly, while Germany's Adrian Meisen upset number nine-seeded George Steffey (USA). Racing progressed smoothly into the round of sixteen, where upsets included Haaser taking advantage of a quick mistake by the number 1 seeded Filip Forejtek and Haaser then went on to ski into the quarterfinals. No other big surprises through this round.

Headed into quarters, racing was intense and the pace aggressive. While dominant on the Tour all season, Soevik met his match in Haaser and was eliminated, while Schmidiger proved his mastery of the TAOS course once again and easily defeated his Czech opponent, Jan Zabystran (CZE). Frost, also a solid WPST athlete this season, faced Sam Maes, who edged him out. Finally, longtime Tour regular Ankeny challenged Schmid, but was unable to get past the reigning FIS World Champion gold medalist even with an advantage after the first run.

Semi-finals offered an all-international field with Haaser out skiing Schmidiger, who was showing signs of fatigue. Maes met Schmid with aggression and skied into the finals.

With a small final between Schmidiger and Schmid, Schmidiger came out victorious after Schmid got tangled up and was unable to recover. In the finals Maes and Haaser each attacked the course, but Maes had a dominant start and built his lead the entire way down.

1) Sam Maes (BEL)
2) Raphael Haaser (AUT)
3) Reto Schmidiger (SUI)
4) Alex Schmid (GER)

WOMEN

The women's field held another deeply stacked group of talent, including: WPST regulars like 2023 Tour Champion and Overall World Champion, Erin Mielzynski (CAN); 2022 Tour Champion, Tuva Norbye (NOR); 2024 WPST Aspen winner, Sara Rask (SWE); All-American Kaitlyn Harsch (USA) and more. These ladies met 2022 Overall TAOS World Champion, Paula Moltzan (USA); 2023 Giant Slalom TAOS World Champion, Tricia Mangan (USA); and other racers coming directly off the World Cup.

SportsInsurance.com teammates Tuva and Harsch saw one another in their first matchup, with Tuva coming away with the win. Tuva then had to meet yet another teammate, Mielzynski in the Round of 8. Mielzynski has proven dominant against Tuva all season, but today, Tuva skied with a purpose and clearly came away with the win. 

Meanwhile, Tuva's younger sister Kaja also joined in the race action - Kaja has raced on the WPST before, but not recently - and progressed along the bracket to face Moltzan in the semi-finals. Both Norbye sisters skied with speed and precision to progress along in their brackets, with Tuva advancing against Mangan, however Kaja was unable to outski Motzan and made it into the small final against Mangan. Mangan won the first heat, but Kaja regained her momentum and skied into third place.

In the big final, Tuva challenged Moltzan in the first run, but ultimately Moltzan found more speed in the second run on the blue course and earned the top spot in the TAOS World Championships super slalom for the third year in a row.

1) Paula Moltzan (USA)
2) Tuva Norbye (NOR)
3) Kaja Norbye (NOR)
4) Tricia Mangan (USA)

Giant Slalom World Championships, presented by Mazda – March 30, 2024

Saturday brought a bluebird and calm day Kachina Basin at Ski TAOS with a deeply talented field of pro athletes coming together for another day of World Championships racing, this time with a giant slalom course set.

MEN

After yesterday's super slalom, a giant slalom set brought a totally new game, with the men's round of 32 progressing as planned, but the round of 16 brought some major surprises. New faces to progress on during the day included the upset of yesterday's 2024 Super Slalom World Champion, Sam Maes (BEL) by George Steffey (USA). Tour leader, Christian Soevik (NOR), was taken down by rival WPST skier, Filip Foretjek (CZE) who has had difficulty up against Soevik all season. Alex Puente Tasias (ESP), who just joined the Tour in Bear Valley, upset Alex Schmid (GER), the reigning FIS Parallel World Champion. 

Exciting action and sometimes wild skiing continued into the quarterfinals with the giant slalom definitely bringing more speed and riskier lines by the athletes. Steffey proved he liked the GS format much better than yesterday's slalom and quickly eliminated Foretjek. Tour veteran and longtime US Ski Team athlete Michael Ankeny has proven throught the season that he can still compete agains the younger athletes now racing pro, but he was unable to shake off Alex Puente Tsias, who found an extra gear in his skiing today and progressed to the semi finals. The next surprise of the round came between U.S. Ski Teammates Radamus (USA) and Patrick Kenney (USA). Kenney held an advantage on the first run but was on the slower of the two courses in his second run; he dropped the hammer after the road and skied into the semis with a clear win. Last but not least, Jan Zabystran (CZE) met yesterday's second place finisher, Raphael Haaser (AUT) and Zabystran proved dominant in both runs.

During the semifinal round, George Steffey proved he could not be stopped on this course, saying, "as more of a GS guy, I favored today's setup and took every advantage." Steffey took care of Puente Tasias and sped into the finals. Zabystran continued his building pace against Kenney and earned the other spot in the finals. 

In the small final, Puente Tasias was showing fatigue and was unable to shake off Kenney, and the American skiied into a third place. Steffey and Zabystran kept it exciting through the first run, but Zabystran got too straight into the second and let Steffey ski safely into victory and to take home a $20,000 big check. 

1) George Steffey (USA)
2) Jan Zabystran (CZE)
3) Patrick Kenney (USA)
4) Alex Puente Tasias (ESP)

WOMEN

The women decided to change things up with the giant slalom as well, with more speed and straighter lines in places where they could take greater advantage of the flat sections. Yesterday’s super slalom World Champion, Paula Moltzan (USA) was upset in round of 8 quarterfinals by Fabiana Dorigo (GER), a Tour rookie and first time pro racer here at TAOS. 2023 Tour Champion Erin Mielzynski (CAN) was similarly upset when faced by Tricia Mangan (USA). Kaja Norbye (NOR) showed she was another athlete who could thrive in both tech disciplines with swift progress agains Evelina Fredricsson (SWE). Finally, Nora Brand (GER) defeated Tuva Norbye (NOR), preventing her from meeting her sister in the next round.

Release courtesy of World Pro Ski Tour 

In the semi finals, Mangan's speed kept coming while Dorigo was showing signs of fatigue and Mangan progressed to the final. Kaja Norbye was similarly able to outski Brand. This left an all German small final between Dorigo and Brand, and big final between Mangan and Norbye.

The small final went quickly with Dorigo holding Brand and skiing into third place. Mangan showed a more conservative approach to the course than her wild skiing of years past and defeated Kaja Norbye with a clear victory in both runs.

"This has been the most amazing event and I have had so much fun; the World Pro Ski Tour, TAOS and all of the sponsors have done an incredible job on this event and it all still feels surreal," said Mangan of her win.

1) Tricia Mangan (USA)
2) Kaja Norbye (NOR)
3) Fabiana Dorigo (GER)
4) Nora Brand (GER)

OVERALL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

With points accumulation over the race weekend, Tricia Mangan was a clear WPST 2024 TAOS World Champion, presented by New Mexico True and she held both her $20,000 prize and $25,000 bonus high. so much variety in the men's field between the two race days culminated in a three-way tie for the $25,000 men's title and bonus, shared by Jan Zabystran, Sam Maes and Raphael Haaser.

Ski Cross Junior World Championships Team Announced

By Sierra Ryder
March, 29 2024
ski cross
Walker Robinson competes at the Winter Youth Olympic Games. (OIS/Simon Bruty)

PARK CITY, Utah (March 29, 2024) – U.S. Ski & Snowboard is pleased to announce the nine ski cross athletes that will represent the USA at the Ski Cross FIS Junior World Championships next month in Idre Fjäll, Sweden. 

The team is highlighted by Morgan Shute who recently earned two medals at the Youth Olympic Games in Gangwon, Korea, including a silver in the individual and silver in the team event. Shute is also ranked first in the NorAm overall. Youth Olympic Games teammate and fellow team event silver medalist Walker Robinson also joins Shute on the World Juniors team. 

“This group of ski cross athletes is strong across all levels,” said Chip Knight, U.S. Ski & Snowboard Alpine Development Director. “We have a mix of up-and-coming athletes as well as our ski cross veterans, two of whom just claimed silver at the Youth Olympic Games. We know that this group will have success in Fjäll and are excited to see them compete against the world’s best.”

The event will take place April 14-15, 2024 with both an individual event and a team event. 

U.S. Junior World Championships Roster 

(Hometown; Club; Birthdate)

Women

Molly Hagan (Laconia, NH; Gould Academy; 5/15/2007)

Maggie Swain (Kingfield, MA; Carrabassett Valley Academy; 7/10/2006) 

Morgan Shute (Allendale, NJ; Carrabassett Valley Academy; 9/13/2006)

Deia Steinmetz (South Lake Tahoe, CA; Team Palisades Tahoe; 10/18/2006)

Men

Sullivan Butler (Carrabassett, ME; Carrabassett Valley Academy; 7/7/2005)

Aiden England (Truckee, CA; Team Palisades Tahoe; 8/11/2006)

Jack Mitchell (Wenatchee, WA; Evolve SX/Mission Ridge Ski Team; 3/3/2003)

Tanner Murphy (Girdwood, AK; Alyeska Ski Club; 3/3/2005) 

Walker Robinson (Frisco, CO; Team Summit; 6/26/2006)