The 2024 A Racer’s Edge U.S. Ski & Snowboard Alpine Masters National Championships will be held for the first time ever in the Central Division on February 5-10, 2024 at Granite Peak Ski Resort in Wausau, Wisconsin. The local resort and town are pulling out all the stops to make this an incredible and unforgettable event.

The 2024 National Championship includes a full week of racing with SG, GS, SL, and Parallel events. No qualifying requirements*–racers of all levels are welcome to compete in their age class. Discounted lift tickets and spectator-friendly finish areas will allow you to bring your full cheering squad. Social parties and awards nightly! Registration opens December 1st, 2023 at https://masters.adminskiracing.com.

* To be eligible to participate in National events, racers must hold a full U.S. Ski & Snowboard Alpine Masters Membership which can be purchased at my.usskiandsnowboard.org.

National Championship Scoring

National Championship Age Class Combined

     The national age class Combined champions are awarded based on the lowest total race points accumulated by a competitor for the three events of SL, GS and SG at the national championships (triple-combined). Race points are calculated as the ratio of the competitor’s time to that of the winner in the competitor’s class, adjusted by a discipline-specific normalization factor set by the FIS which produces a time-based “closeness” ranking that can be compared across events.

     Because of the time-based scoring formula, competitors must finish all three events to be eligible for the combined. In the case of an event cancellation, the winners will be determined based on the events held.

Divisions Cup

     The Division’s Cup is awarded to the division with the best ratio of points scored per competitor starts for all races in the national championships. When the national championship DH or a 4th race is held as part of the national championships, it will be included in the Division’s Cup scoring.

     Divisions Cup points are awarded to the top 5 places in each age class (5 pts 1st, 4 pts 2nd, 3 pts 3rd, 2 pts 4th, 1 pt 5th). If a class has less than 5 competitors the points are scaled accordingly (e.g. a class with 3 competitors would award 3, 2, 1 points respectively).

     Division teams must consist of at least 10 competitors to be eligible.

National Masters Team

     The Nationals Masters Team is named each year from the national championships age class results, based on total points accumulated using the “Old World Cup” points scoring system. When the national championship DH or 4th race is held as part of the national championships, it will be included in the National Masters Team scoring.

     Scoring is based on highest total points accumulated in best 3 finishes from all applicable events. Competitors need not participate in or finish all events to be eligible. In the case of a tie, the tie is broken by best finish record using rank ordering of all finish positions (best finish result, then next best, until a finish position difference occurs). If there is still a tie, an additional tiebreaker adding race points from all applicable events in which all tied competitors finished is applied; lowest total wins.

     Competitors must have a current U.S. Ski & Snowboard alpine masters membership and be a U.S. citizen to be eligible for the National Masters team.

Looking for more National Competition?

Find information for all Masters Regional and National events at: usskiandsnowboard.org/masters/masters-events-schedules

National Championship Downhill

     The 2024 A Racer's Edge National Championship DH will be held January 22-23 at Mammoth Mountain, CA. Mandatory DH training runs will be held on January 22nd followed by 2 DH races on January 23rd. The first race will be the National Championship and both will count toward the National Speed Series.

National Speed Series

     The National Speed Series awards are based on total points accumulated across all races in the series using the “Old World Cup” points scoring system. Age class awards are given to the top three finishers in each age class of the season-long series. Competitors must have at least three starts to be eligible for series awards.

     The overall Speed Series champions trophies are awarded to the overall fastest racer in each of three groups, based on the total points in all races of the series:
   Group A/B (men age 18-64)
   Group D (men age 65+)
   Group C (all women)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Does one have to qualify for the Nationals or is this open to anyone?

There are no qualification requirements for Nationals. It is open to any adult racer!

Do I need a US Ski & Snowboard Membership to race at Nationals?

To compete at US Alpine Masters Nationals, you must have a Full Season Masters license. Short-term licenses are not allowed for this event. To renew your license or create a new account to purchase a license, go to: https://my.usskiandsnowboard.org/

I’ve never attended a Nationals Championship event, only a Regional Championship. Are the Nationals run similar to the Regionals, just a bigger event with more people attending, and from further away?

That’s a pretty good summary, however, there are several differences from our Regionals, which are a Divisional (Central Division) event. Yes, more people will attend from all over the country, but we also organize the competition into Age Groups: A (Men in Age Classes 1-5), B (Men in Age Classes 6-8), C (all Women), and D (Men in Age Classes 9+). So, there are essentially 4 races at Nationals. You race against others in your Age Group. Beyond that, there are Overall Awards for Age Classes. You must race in a certain number of events to be considered for the Overall. There is also the highly coveted Divisions Cup award. For each Discipline, there are also medals given out by Age Class and Gender. The competitive spirit and excitement of the races along with social opportunities are bigger than Regionals. 

I probably wouldn't be able to participate the whole week, am I allowed to just sign up for 2 or 3 days of races?

Yes, you can attend as many events as you wish but know that this may impact your ability to qualify for the Overall Award for your Age Class. 

Did I read correctly that it runs from Tuesday to Saturday (no racing on Sunday)?

Yes, there is no racing on Sunday. Our final banquet is Saturday night and we traditionally leave Sunday as a travel day. 

Would I use my Regionals/Division bib or would this be a new bib?

We have separate bibs for Nationals that will be assigned to you, and you will return it after your last event. No need to bring your Regionals/Division bib. 

Where do I register?

You can register at https://masters.adminskiracing.com.

The men’s first Audi FIS Ski World Cup race of the 2023-24 season, the annual giant slalom in Sölden, Austria, was canceled due to high winds after 47 racers. Before the final call was made, four Stifel U.S. Alpine Ski Team men sat in the top 30. 

“Due to the extreme wind for the rest of the day and for safety and fairness to all racers, the jury together with the OC (Organizing Committee) and the OSV (Austrian Ski Federation) have decided to cancel today's giant slalom race,” said FIS organizers.

The Stifel U.S. Alpine Ski Team men showed excellent skiing before the cancellation, with teammates and world champions River Radamus in seventh and Tommy Ford in 24th. Brian McLaughlin was also comfortably within the top 30 in 25th and George Steffey in 27th. Isaiah Nelson sat in 41st and Patrick Kenney was unable to take his first run due to the early cancellation. 

The top three racers before cancelation was Austrian Marco Schwarz, Swiss skier Marco Odermatt and Alexis Pinturault of France.

The World Cup giant slalom team will now prep for the next race held in Val d'Isère, France, Dec. 9. 

The sun was shining and crowds were out in full force for the opening race of the 2023-24 Audi FIS Ski World Cup tour in Sölden, Austria on Saturday, Oct. 28. Winningest alpine skier of all time Mikaela Shiffrin led the way for the Stifel U.S. Alpine Ski Team in sixth place with Paula Moltzan in 11th. 

The Stifel U.S. Alpine Ski Team women were amped to start the season off, with two athletes, Mary and Elisabeth Bocock, making their official World Cup debuts.

Shiffrin, who holds the record for the most World Cup wins in alpine skiing, said before the race that she was coming into this season slowly, and would look at this event like the best training opportunity possible as she builds up into the season. She was fifth in the first run and took sixth overall. “It was a little messy in spots, but I liked my mentality going into the second run more," said Shiffrin. "I just was not able to execute perfectly, but having said that, the top women skied unbelievable today and I think there is a lot to learn from that."

Moltzan had a tough first run, but it set the stage for Moltzan to hammer down second run, with a clean course starting third in the lineup. She skied the second-fastest second run of the day to end the day in 11th place, moving up from 28th place. “I was excited for the day and when I crossed the finish line, I realized I needed to forget about that run and focus on my skiing,” said Moltzan. “There was nothing to lose, so I just let it go. It felt good to ski how I have been in training. The goal is to keep doing runs like that, and do two of those next time.”

Swiss skier Lara Gut-Behrami won the opening World Cup, second place went to Italian skier Federica Brignone and third place was Petra Vhlova of Slovakia.

A highlight of the race was the Bocock sister duo, Mary and Elisabeth, racing in their first World Cup in Sölden. It was the first time two sisters debuted in a World Cup together in 24 years. While the sisters did not qualify for second runs, they were thrilled to have the opportunity to ski on the big stage amongst their heroes. 

"That was so cool!" said Elisabeth Bocock. "I can still hear my tech cheering behind me. It was tough but the feeling was awesome."

"It was nice to have each other at the start and going through this new experience together," added Mary Bocock. 

AJ Hurt landed in 34th place after the first run, Mary Bocock in 48th and Stella Johansson in 42nd. They did not qualify for a second run. Elisabeth Bocock did not finish. 

The men will take on the track Sunday, Oct. 29 for their opening giant slalom race.

RESULTS
Women's giant slalom

HOW TO WATCH

Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023

• 5:00 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup, Men's giant slalom, run 1, Sölden, Austria, streaming on Peacock
• 8:00 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup, Men's giant slalom, run 2, Sölden, Austria, streaming on Peacock

The Masters extends our condolences to Patrick's family and friends. It was just a few months ago that Patrick was on the scoreboard supporting and cheering us all on at the Summer Fun Nationals. He will be missed!

A Message from the Stratton Streich family:

It is with heavy hearts, on behalf of the Stratton Streich family, to let you know that our beloved Patrick “Quigs” passed away yesterday as a result of a windsurfing accident on the Columbia River.

Pat has been a member of our family for over 25 years. He was loved by us and will be greatly missed.

He was a friend to all and a real grandfather to our son Andy.

RIP Patrick We will always love and miss you.

Thanks to all for your words of support. Our hearts go out to all who are feeling the loss as we are. He had so many friends because he was a good friend. Hugs to all

The opening Audi FIS Ski World Cup kicks off Oct. 28-29 in Sölden, Austria. Fans will be able to watch the men’s and women’s giant slalom action unfold live on Peacock as well as on demand after the event. Tune in to watch Stifel U.S. Alpine Ski Team athlete and winningest skier of all-time Mikaela Shiffrin, as well as world champions Paula Moltzan, Tommy Ford and River Radamus as they take on the Austrian glacier.  Peacock's coverage will feature commentary by Olympic gold medalist and Stifel U.S. Ski Team alumna Picabo Street as well as Steve Schlanger for the event. 

Follow this link to access the live stream of the races. 

HOW TO WATCH

Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023
4:00 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup, women's giant slalom, run 1, Sölden, Austria, streaming on Peacock
7:00 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup, women's giant slalom, run 2, Sölden, Austria, streaming on Peacock

Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023
5:00 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup, Men's giant slalom, run 1, Sölden, Austria, streaming on Peacock
8:00 a.m. FIS Alpine World Cup, Men's giant slalom, run 2, Sölden, Austria, streaming on Peacock

**An additional How to Watch article is forthcoming for all U.S. Ski & Snowboard sports and events.