KRANJSKA GORA, Slovenia (Feb. 4, 2016) – David Chodounsky (Crested Butte, CO) came out of the 58th start position to finish as the top American in 26th at the Audi FIS Ski World Cup giant slalom Friday. Tommy Ford (Reno, NV) continued his string of top 30s, finishing 27th in the weekend opener, which replaced the cancelled event from Garmisch.

“First run, I’m happy,” Chodounsky said. “I started in the back and felt like I skied well … aggressive. But then I completely over-skied the second run. It skied so much easier that I thought it would.”

Alexis Pinturault of France made the course look real easy, winning his fourth-straight World Cup giant slalom by 0.47 over Austria’s Philipp Schoerghofer. World Cup overall and giant slalom leader Marcel Hirscher of Austria was third. Hirscher increased his overall World Cup lead to 293 points over Norway’s Henrik Kristoffersen, who finished fourth Friday. Pinturault’s victory moved him into second in the overall World Cup giant slalom standings, just 91 points behind Hirscher.

Brennan Rubie (Salt Lake City, UT), Ryan Cochran-Siegle (Starksboro, VT), Tim Jitloff (Reno, NV) and Kieffer Christianson (Anchorage, AK) did not qualify for the second run.

Up next, the men tackle another giant slalom Saturday in Kranjska Gora, and slalom Sunday. Both races will broadcast live on NBC Sports Live Extra.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Alexis Pinturault of France won his fourth-straight World Cup giant slalom.
• David Chodounsky and Tommy Ford both scored their third top-30 World Cup giant slalom finish of the season.
• Marcel Hirscher increased his overall World Cup lead to 293 points over Norway’s Henrik Kristoffersen.
• Pinturault’s victory moved him into second in the overall World Cup giant slalom standings, just 91 points behind Hirscher.

QUOTES

David Chodounsky
First run, I’m happy. I started in the back and felt like I skied well and aggressive. But then I completely over-skied the second run. It skied so much easier that I thought it would. But I’m learning in GS still. I’m happy with today, I got some points and I’m going to keep my GS going.

Broadcast and Live Streaming (times EST)
Saturday, March 5
3:30 a.m. Men’s giant slalom run 1, Kranjska Gora - LIVE - NBC Sports Live Extra
6:30 a.m. Men’s giant slalom run 2, Kranjska Gora - LIVE - NBC Sports Live Extra

Sunday, March 6
3:30 a.m. Men’s slalom run 1, Kranjska Gora - LIVE - NBC Sports Live Extra
6:30 a.m. Men’s slalom run 2, Kranjska Gora - LIVE - NBC Sports Live Extra

RESULTS
Men’s giant slalom
 

JASNA, Slovakia (March 4, 2016) – The Audi FIS Ski World Cup returns to Jasna, Slovakia for the first time since 1984 for a giant slalom and slalom. A healthy and strong Mikaela Shiffrin (Eagle-Vail, CO) is ready for her first full tech weekend back on the World Cup circuit since returning from a knee injury sustained in Åre, Sweden.

Shiffrin, who turns 21 on March 13, has won 18 World Cup races in her career – 17 of them slalom victories – one shy of Switzerland’s Lise Marie Morerod’s total before reaching the age of 21. Only one other woman – the great Annemarie Moser Pröll – has won more races before turning 21 years old, with 31 victories. Perhaps the weekend will bring an early birthday present for Shiffrin? Only time will tell.

Along with Shiffrin, Resi Stiegler (Jackson, WY) will also start both in the giant slalom and slalom – marking it her first World Cup giant slalom since 2013. Keep an eye out in Sunday’s slalom for the promising young duo of Lila Lapanja (Incline Village, NV) and Paula Moltzan (Lakeville, MN) – who both scored their first World Cup points at the Flachau night slalom in January.

Noticeably missing this weekend in Jasna’s World Cup action will be overall title leader Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO), who announced on Wednesday that she’ll be sitting the rest of the season out after an injury sustained during a super G race in Soldeu-El Tarter, Andorra last Saturday.

Jasna (GS, SL) Starters
Lila Lapanja – SL
Megan McJames – GS
Paula Moltzan – SL
Mikaela Shiffrin – GS, SL
Resi Stiegler – GS, SL

Broadcast and Live Streaming (times EST)
Saturday, March 5
4:30 a.m. - Women's GS-1, Jasna - LIVE - NBC Sports Live Extra
7:30 a.m. - Women's GS-2, Jasna - LIVE - NBC Sports Live Extra
1:00 p.m. - Women's GS, Jasna - Universal HD

Sunday, March 6
4:30 a.m. - Women's SL-1, Jasna - LIVE - NBC Sports Live Extra
7:30 a.m. - Women's SL-2, Jasna - LIVE - NBC Sports Live Extra
1:00 p.m. - Women's SL, Jasna - Universal HD

Start List – Saturday
Women’s giant slalom

JASNA, Slovakia (March 5, 2016) – After pushing the start and attempting to wait out whipping wind, the Audi FIS Ski World Cup giant slalom in Jasna, Slovakia will be rescheduled for Monday, March 7.

Mikaela Shiffrin (Eagle-Vail, CO), Resi Stiegler (Jackson, WY) and Megan McJames (Park City, UT) will wait to kick off the Slovakian race series, now skiing slalom first on Sunday.

"This is my first time here and so far it’s been foggy and windy, but the hill looks really good," said Shiffrin. "I’m enjoying our time here, but I just really want to race! We’ve been on the race hill a couple times now. It looks like the race crew has done a really great job with the preparations."

Jasna (GS, SL) Starters
Lila Lapanja – SL
Megan McJames – GS
Paula Moltzan – SL
Mikaela Shiffrin – GS, SL
Resi Stiegler – GS, SL

Broadcast and Live Streaming (times EST)

Sunday, March 6
4:30 a.m. - Women's SL-1, Jasna - LIVE - NBC Sports Live Extra
7:30 a.m. - Women's SL-2, Jasna - LIVE - NBC Sports Live Extra
1:00 p.m. - Women's SL, Jasna - Universal HD

Monday, March 7 
4:00 a.m. - Women's GS-1, Jasna - LIVE - NBC Sports Live Extra 
7:00 a.m. - Women's GS-2, Jasna - LIVE - NBC Sports Live Extra 
 

KRANJSKA GORA, Slovenia (March. 5, 2016) – Ryan Cochran-Siegle (Starksboro, VT) put up a tough fight to finish in the top 30 of the Audi FIS Ski World Cup giant slalom Saturday. Austria’s Marcel Hirscher won the race, ending the four-win streak of France’s Alexis Pinturault.

“I just tried to be as clean as possible, but the snow conditions were tough,” said Cochran-Siegle, who starting 35th and posted the 20th-fastest first run time. “I managed to ski it pretty well, considering, so I’m pretty happy with that.”

However, the second run proved a tougher challenge as Cochran-Siegle ran into all sorts of difficulty. “My hand hit a hole and I lost a pole,” he said. “And then I just kind of scrambled after that and went too straight into another gate.” After hiking to make a gate in order to post an official result, Cochran-Siegle finished in the top 30, but 11.90 seconds out of first, meaning he finished out of the points. 

"The big challenge today was the flat light, so the athletes could not see the bumps ... In my opinion, it was one of the toughest GS race of the season, especially on the first run," said Head Coach Sasha Rearick. "But Ryan Cochran-Siegle, hats off to him. He’s had a tremendous two years return battle from injury—this year, getting back on snow for the first time."

Meanwhile, Hirscher took a commanding lead in the overall World Cup standings as he snapped Pinturault’s giant slalom win streak at four. Pinturault settled for second, while Norway’s Henrik Kristoffersen finished third. Hirscher extended his overall World Cup lead from 293 to 333 points over Kristoffersen. Hirscher also extended his overall World Cup giant slalom lead to 111 points over Pinturault with one giant slalom race remaining, clinching the GS globe.

As for the other Americans, it was a tough day battling the snow conditions. Tim Jitloff (Reno, NV) finished 37th and Brennan Rubie (Salt Lake City, UT) was 40th in the first run and did not qualify for the second run. Tommy Ford (Reno, NV), Kieffer Christianson (Anchorage, AK), David Chodounsky (Crested Butte, CO) and Samuel Dupratt (Dixon, CA) did not finish the first run.

Up next, the men race slalom Sunday in Kranjska Gora. The race will broadcast live on NBC Sports Live Extra.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Marcel Hirscher won his fourth giant slalom of the season and clinched the GS globe. 
• It is his fourth GS title.
• Hirscher also leads the overall World Cup standings by 333 points over Norway’s Henrik Kristoffersen.
• Ryan Cochran-Siegle scored his first World Cup giant slalom points in only his fourth World Cup GS start.

QUOTES

Ryan Cochran-Siegle
My hand hit a hole and I lost a pole. Then I just kind of scrambled after that and went too straight into another gate. I just tried to be as clean as possible, but the snow conditions were tough. I managed to ski it pretty well, considering, so I’m pretty happy with that.

Sasha Rearick, Head Coach
Today’s conditions were tough. They did a good job preparing the hill—watering last night and letting it sit. It was hard and very bumpy. The big challenge today was the flat light, so the athletes could not see the bumps. But you have to ski aggressive in nature and forward in balance and with a mentality of attacking it. If you did that, the bumps weren’t that bad. But to do that took tremendous courage. If you were defensive at all, the bumps just beat you up. We saw a lot of athletes struggle with that across the board. In my opinion, it was one of the toughest GS race of the season, especially on the first run.

From our athletes side, Ryan Cochran-Siegle, hats off to him. He’s had a tremendous two years return battle from injury—this year, getting back on snow for the first time. He has been skiing progressively better with movements, position. He’s skiing the same line as Pinturault and he’s in a similar position on his skis. His challenge was that he wasn’t committing to the edge. Second run he made one particularly big mistake, but I was so stoked to see him fight to the bottom.

Tommy Ford also showed tremendous courage today—unfortunately went out right at the bottom. But his skiing was a demonstration of fast skiing we know he can do. He was right in there to be a top 15/top 17 run. 

Broadcast and Live Streaming (times EST)

Saturday, March 5
2:30 p.m. Men’s giant slalom, Kranjska Gora – Universal HD

Sunday, March 6
3:30 a.m. Men’s slalom run 1, Kranjska Gora - LIVE - NBC Sports Live Extra
6:30 a.m. Men’s slalom run 2, Kranjska Gora - LIVE - NBC Sports Live Extra
2:30 p.m. Men’s slalom, Kranjska Gora – Universal HD

RESULTS
Men’s giant slalom
 

SOCHI, Russia (March 5, 2016) – The FIS Junior World Ski Championships wrapped up today with men’s and women’s slalom, in which Alex Leever (Vail, CO, U.S. Ski Team, Ski & Snowboard Club Vail) and Patricia Mangan (Derby, NY, U.S. Ski Team/Holimont Racing Club) led the way for the Americans, finishing 19th and 14th respectively.

The tough conditions at the Rosa Khutor alpine center continued to plague the top juniors in the world. On the men’s side, Leever battled rain, sleet, snow and fog to grab a top 20, finishing 19th. Patrick Kenney (Hingham, MA, U.S. Ski Team/Burke Mountain Academy), Florian Szwebel (Avon, CO, National Training Group/Ski & Snowboard Club Vail), Drew Duffy (Warren, VT, U.S. Ski Team/Green Mountain Valley School) and Erik Arvidsson (Woodside, CA, U.S. Ski Team/Squaw Valley Ski Team/Bear Valley) did not finish in a challenging first run, where athletes struggled to even see through their goggles.

“Athletes were racing through ruts with their goggles covered and almost no vision,” said Alpine Development Director Chip Knight. “It was the kind of day where anything could happen, and you had to really battle to give yourself a chance.” 

Croatia packed the podium today for the men, with a German in the middle. Istok Rodes finished first, with Frederik Norys taking second and Elias Kolega rounding out the podium in third.

On the women’s side, Mangan skied to an impressive 14th place while teammates Galena Wardle (Basalt, CO, U.S. Ski Team/Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club) finished 20th and Nina O’Brien (Edwards, CO, U.S. Ski Team/Burke Mountain Academy) 21st. Women’s Europa Cup Head Coach Frank Kelble found Mangan’s performance a highlight of the weekend. “Mangan has been fast in training all year,” said Kelble. “She finally brought it on in a race. Good day for her.” Nellie Rose Talbot (Vail, CO, National Training Group/Ski & Snowboard Club Vail) also competed, but did not finish the first run.

Germany’s Elisabeth Willibald prevailed today, with Austria grabbing second and third place with a pair of Katharinas – Katharina Gallhuber and Katharina Huber.

Erik Arvidsson, Galena Wardle, Drew Duffy and Nina O'Brien participated in the Team Event, as well.

The results might not have been what they expected, but Kelble and Knight look ahead. “We were shooting for top 10s but the slalom field was very strong,” said Kelble. “We'll take it but expect more in 2017.” As Knight reflected on the day, he also looked forward to the future from a development standpoint. “We have work to do as a country in slalom to raise our game and compete at the international level,” noted Knight.

World Juniors action wrapped up with the presentation of the Marc Hodler Trophy awarded to Team Austria for the best overall performance. Austria scored 97 points followed by Switzerland with 85 and Canada with 58 points.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Patricia Mangan was the top American female, finishing 14th in slalom.
• Alex Leever was the sole American male to finish, grabbing 19th place.
• World Juniors action wrapped up with the presentation of the Marc Hodler Trophy awarded to Team Austria for the best overall performance.

QUOTES

Chip Knight, Alpine Development Director
Tough weather conditions today: rain, sleet, snow, and fog. Athletes were racing through ruts with their goggles covered and almost no vision. It was the kind of day where anything could happen, and you had to really battle to give yourself a chance. I’m proud of Tricia, Alex, Galena, and Nina for doing just that. The top athletes were far ahead though at the end of the day. We have work to do as a country in slalom to raise our game and compete at the international level.

Frank Kelble, Women’s Europa Cup Head Coach
Wet, sloppy, bumpy and nasty with terrible visibility at times. Mangan has been fast in training all year. She finally brought it on in a race. Good day for her. We were shooting for top 10s but the slalom field was very strong. We'll take it but expect more in 2017. 

RESULTS
Men’s slalom
Women’s slalom

JASNA, Slovakia (March 6, 2016) – Mikaela Shiffrin (Eagle-Vail, CO) absolutely crushed the competition Sunday, winning her 18th career Audi FIS Ski World Cup slalom. Shiffrin’s winning time was 2.36 second ahead of Switzerland’s Wendy Holdener in second. Home crowd favorite Veronika Velez Zuzulova was third.

Mikaela Shiffrin cruises to a first-run win during Sunday’s slalom in Slovakia. (Getty/AFP-Joe Klamar)

Since her comeback from a left knee injury sustained in December, Shiffrin has won back-to-back slaloms. In Sunday’s first run, she won by 1.67 seconds, despite claiming that her timing was still a bit off due to her eight-week absence from competition.

“I just like to try to improve on what I did in the first run for the second run,” she said. “So if I win the first run, I want to win again in the second run. So today, just building on my lead was pretty great.”

Shiffrin has won four World Cup slalom events this season. Sweden’s Frida Hansdotter, who finished 10th Sunday – her lowest slalom result in more than two years – won the overall World Cup slalom title with just one race remaining at the World Cup Finals in St. Moritz, Switzerland in two weeks.

“Frida has been just as consistent as I have been, or even more consistent in the past three, four years,” Shiffrin said of the Swedish racer who won the World Cup slalom in Lienz, and has been on the podium six times this season. “She has walked away with however many second places, but you have to be really consistent just to get on the podium. But she deserves to win the globe.”

Resi Stiegler (Jackson, WY) finished 24^th Sunday. Lila Lapanja (Incline Village, NV) did not finish the first run.

The victory was Shiffrin’s 19th career World Cup victory (18 slalom and one giant slalom – Soelden 2014). Shiffrin, who turns 21 next week, is scheduled to compete in Monday’s giant slalom, which was postponed Saturday due to high winds. Stiegler and Megan McJames (Park City, UT) are also scheduled to compete Monday.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Mikaela Shiffrin won her 19th career World Cup race Sunday (18 slalom and one giant slalom).
• Sweden’s Frida Hansdotter, who finished 10th Sunday, won the overall World Cup slalom title with one race remaining.

QUOTES

Mikaela Shiffrin
Both runs I just I tried to pretend a bear was chasing me - just go faster. It worked really well. It was a rough course but the course workers did a great job in keeping it to together.

I just like to try to improve on what I did in the first run for the second run. So if I won the first run, I want to win again in the second run. So today, just building on my lead was pretty great.

[On the course conditions] It was a little bit rough … and to be able to execute my plans based in the conditions makes me feel more and more confident.

[On training in Jasna for the past week] It has been tough training ... the training hill has been soft some days. So it’s been a bit of trouble training. But I found some freeskiing trails and went out and made some turns, did some drills, so I’m feeling quite a bit better.

Frida has been just as consistent as I have been, or even more consistent in the past three, four years. She has walked away with however many second places, but you have to be really consistent just to get on the podium. But she deserves to win the globe.

Broadcast and Live Streaming (times EST)

Sunday, March 6
1:00 p.m. - Women's SL, Jasna - Universal HD

Monday, March 7
4:00 a.m. - Women's GS-1, Jasna - LIVE - NBC Sports Live Extra
7:00 a.m. - Women's GS-2, Jasna - LIVE - NBC Sports Live Extra

RESULTS
Women’s slalom

KRANJSKA GORA, Slovenia (March. 6, 2016) – David Chodounsky (Crested Butte, CO) posted his second-best Audi FIS Ski World Cup slalom result of the season, finishing seventh Sunday.

“Coming down into the lead is always good,” said Chodounsky, who shared the top spot with Sweden’s Mattias Hargin until France’s Alexis Pinturault relegated them to second midway through the second run. “I’m really happy for that.”

Austria’s Marcel Hirscher won for the second-straight day in commanding fashion. His winning time was 0.81 seconds over second-place finisher Henrik Kristoffersen of Norway. Stefano Gross of Italy was third. With his second-place finish, Kristoffersen wrapped up the overall World Cup slalom title with 811 points, as Hirscher is second with 700 points with only one slalom race remaining. However, Hirscher extended his overall World Cup lead to 353 points over Kristoffersen with six races remaining in the 2015-16 season.

Mark Engel (Truckee, CA), AJ Ginnis (Waitsfield, VT), Michael Ankeny (Deephaven, MN) and Robby Kelly (Starksboro, VT) did not qualify for the second run. Hig Roberts (Steamboat Springs, CO) did not finish the first run.

Up next, the men compete in downhill and super G March 12-13 in Kvitfjell, Norway.

HIGHLIGHTS

• David Chodounsky (Crested Butte, CO) finished seventh in Sunday's World Cup slalom. It was his second-best slalom result this season (4th in Val d’Isere on Dec. 13, 2015).
• Marcel Hirscher extended his overall World Cup lead to 353 points over Kristoffersen with six races (two downhill, two super G, one slalom and one giant slalom) remaining in the 2015-16 season.
• Norway’s Henrik Kristoffersen wrapped up the overall World Cup slalom title with 811 points.

QUOTES

David Chodounsky
Coming down into the lead is always good. I’m really happy for that.

Top 10, I'm happy. I needed that. It has been a really long time since I got a slalom in. It's good to know that slalom is still there. First run, I had a little bit of nerves and second run I had a good run. [I had] a little mistake - it was almost really really good, but I'm happy.

Broadcast (times EST)
Sunday, March 6
2:30 p.m. Men’s giant slalom, Kranjska Gora – Universal HD

RESULTS
Men’s slalom

JASNA, Slovakia (March 7, 2016) – A day after winning the slalom by over two seconds, Mikaela Shiffrin (Eagle-Vail, CO) took 14th in the Audi FIS Ski World Cup giant slalom in Jasna, Slovakia.

Rescheduled from Saturday’s canceled GS, the weather lacked the amount of fog, snow and wind to which the racers were becoming accustomed in Jasna. But even with the bad weather throughout the weekend, the long course was in perfect condition with the racers able to grip it and rip it.

First run was a turny one, with Shiffrin sliding through the finish in 11th. But she got bumped back second run, struggling with her timing in the tricky course and taking 14th. “I haven’t had a lot of time on my GS skis,” said Shiffrin, who is only five races back from a knee injury she suffered in December. “I don’t feel comfortable with my timing at all. I don’t feel comfortable getting [my skis] out from under me and trusting them to come back.”

In the attack for the GS globe, Austrian Eva-Maria Brem pulled off a victory with Viktoria Rebensburg of Germany attacking from 12th place first run to take second. Federica Brignone of Italy was third.

Shiffrin blazes on to World Cup Finals, where she’ll compete in slalom and giant slalom. “Today was more disappointing than obviously yesterday was, but I didn’t want to come back and just race two races the rest of the season,” said Shiffrin. “I wanted to come back and actually ski and try to savor something from the season.”

Resi Stiegler (Jackson, WY) and Megan McJames (Park City, UT) also started the Jasna giant slalom, but did not qualify for a second run. It was Stiegler’s first World Cup GS since 2013.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Mikaela Shiffrin finished 14th in the Jasna giant slalom.
• It was only Shiffrin’s second GS finish this season, having taken second in Soelden in October.
• It was Shiffrin’s fifth race back on the World Cup tour after injuring her knee.
• Eva-Maria Brem sits in first for the GS World Cup title with 442 points, with Viktoria Rebensburg hot on her heels with 410 points. Lara Gut is also still in the hunt with 362 points.
• Next up, the women race super G and combined in Lenzerheide, Switzerland next weekend before World Cup Finals kick off March 15.

QUOTES

Mikaela Shiffrin
I haven’t had a lot of time on my GS skis. I don’t feel comfortable with my timing at all. I don’t feel comfortable getting [my skis] out from under me and trusting them to come back. Some of my training days have been really good. My first time back in GS gates since the injury, I was like ‘Yes! This is easier than my slalom was!’ I know it’s there, but it’s been a struggle the past two weeks. I had two or three days of GS training. [Jasna] was really tough GS training—pretty soft snow and tough visibility. Not the type of place you want to find your timing.

I was so excited to ski this race because the hill is great and was in great condition. My free skiing has felt really good, so I figured, what the heck, let’s see what happens. In order for me to really put my best skiing out there right now, everything has to set up perfectly. I’d rather be the kind of skier that can do it whenever.

My goals changed after I got injured this season. I knew that I couldn’t come back for the slalom globe. I didn’t have a chance for the GS globe and definitely no chance for the overall. I figured the saving grace of the season would be to get some experience in the last two super Gs, try to get as many World Cup points as I can and see what I can do with the rest of the slaloms and GSs. Today was more disappointing than obviously yesterday was, but I didn’t want to come back and just race two races the rest of the season. I wanted to come back and actually ski and try to savor something from the season.

RESULTS
Women’s giant slalom

From local ski hills to the PyeongChang Olympics, the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) encompasses all athletes that share a passion for skiing and snowboarding. We explore what makes each skier and rider a champion with stories from the U.S. Ski Team, U.S. Snowboarding and U.S. Freeskiing, next to kids winning a NASTAR medal, landing their first cork 7 or joining a club team. Alongside USSA’s mascot Champ, take a look at how all of these athletes strive to be Best in the World.

As we continue to explore what makes USSA athletes champions, we’re learning more than we ever expected. To be a champion is holistic – it goes beyond the medals and the titles.  It’s someone with great character and an undying belief in themselves; it’s someone who loves their sport with an unmatched passion. We are honored to share these stories with you. In this installation, Alpine Press Officer Megan Harrod sits down with Steven Nyman to discuss #WhatMakesAChamp.

A 14-year veteran of the U.S. Ski Team, American Downhiller Steven Nyman (Sundance, UT) is no stranger to adversity. In his career, he has grabbed eight podiums. But, what’s more impressive is that 25 percent of those eight podiums have come in the last two races on the Audi FIS Ski World Cup circuit: Jeongseon—South Korea’s Olympic downhill test event—and the recent Chamonix downhill. Battling through countless equipment issues and injuries, three-time Olympian Nyman is a true testament to the power of teamwork as well as the statement, “patience is a virtue.” 

Prior to last season Nyman dialed in his equipment woes, working closely with longtime serviceman Leo Mussi and his sponsor Fischer, and became the sixth fastest man in the world. It took work to get there. Lots of work. It also took grueling physical conditioning and patience. Lots of patience. Through it all, Nyman built upon an already strong base of character and grace, making him an example for all of his teammates both on and off the hill. 

Bryce Bennett and Steven Nyman, the student and the teacher. (USSA)

Perhaps the most telling example of Nyman’s qualities came last year when World Championships hit home soil at Vail/Beaver Creek. It was downhill day. Nyman hammered, coming down in first place and the crowd went insane. Then Switzerland’s Beat Feuz came down just .03 seconds faster, pushing Nyman into second. Another Swiss, Patrick Kueng, came down and took the lead. Next up: Nyman’s teammate Travis Ganong pushed out of the start. As Nyman and U.S. Ski Team legend Daron Rahlves watched from the finish, Ganong came down in second and bumped Nyman off the podium – by just three hundredths. Soul-crushing as it may have been, Nyman smiled and was stoked for his teammate. For Nyman, that’s what it’s all about: teamwork. That’s rare in a sport of one. 

Nyman works to foster a team environment because, as he says, “It’s important. I do this – we do this – not only to create a stronger team, but because it’s satisfying when you see your teammate succeed and you think to yourself, ‘I helped him with that. That’s cool.’ And that keeps you going, and contains the jealousy of the group in this individual sport. Knowing that everyone is giving back to each other is huge.”

The second oldest of four boys in a tight-knit ski family, Nyman has grown accustomed to leading and mentoring. On the hill, Nyman sees the role of veterans like himself and Marco Sullivan (Squaw Valley, CA) a little differently now – as mentors to the younger guys. “I’ve attached to Bryce (Bennett),” said Nyman, “I like working with him because he’s on Fischer with me, and it’s cool to see him progress and go through his steps. He’s open to ideas and guidance.”

Off the hill, Nyman is involved with SOS Outreach, which introduces underprivileged youth to outdoor adventures including skiing, snowboarding, rock climbing and mountain biking. Along the way, SOS helps the kids build healthy, active lifestyles through service learning projects, goal setting, life skills workshops, core values and positive adult mentors. 

To put it quite simply, Nyman is a class-act. His path to the podium was never easy. But through it all, he focuses on the positives, acknowledging the importance of having fun, loving what you do and showing gratitude to those around you – both teammates and staff – every step of the way. This gentle giant’s character is something all athletes – young or not-so-young – should aspire to. 

We took some time to sit down with Steven to explore what makes a champion. Here’s what he had to say.

U.S. SKI TEAM: In your words, what makes a champion?

STEVEN NYMAN: Bringing a whole new level to the sport is what makes a champion. It’s not just dominating races. It’s about sharing your information and knowledge – what helped you to get there. Coming from a team that has to act as a team because we’re together on the road all year, that’s important for us if we want to succeed. We have to give back to each other and we have to keep lifting each other up – in whatever aspect of the sport it is. Saying, “this is what I see/this is what I feel/try this…” is important. I do this – we do this – not only to create a stronger team, but because it’s satisfying when you see your teammate succeed and you think to yourself, ‘I helped him with that. That’s cool.’ And that keeps you going, and contains the jealousy of the group in this individual sport. Knowing that everyone is giving back to each other is huge. 

American Downhillers (USSA)

U.S. SKI TEAM: Do you remember the first time you felt like a champion?

SN: The first timeI felt like a champion was in 1992 and I was in baggy clothes at a race because my family wouldn’t give me a downhill suit. I really wanted one of those purple white and black Spyder downhill suits, but we couldn’t afford it, and then I came down and got second in the race. I was in my sweater and baggy pants and the kid who won had a downhill suit and I was second by a tenth or something. And my dad said, “Okay, you deserve a downhill suit now.” That’s the moment I first felt like a champion. *

*Though eerily similar, it’s worth noting that Steven had not read teammate and fellow Utahan Jared Goldberg’s answer to this question. 

U.S. SKI TEAM: What is the biggest piece of advice you have for aspiring kids who want to be sitting where you are today?

SN: There’re going to be ups and downs. Focus on the positives. Never forget your strengths, but work on your weaknesses. And, most importantly, always have fun. 

SUN VALLEY, ID (March 10, 2016) – The Nature Valley U.S. Alpine Championships are back in Intermountain and the U.S. athletes couldn’t be more stoked. From March 22-27, the best skiers in the nation will head to the place skiing began in the United States – Sun Valley.  

The ski history and culture is rich in Sun Valley, the first ski resort in the nation. In its 80th winter, the magic of Sun Valley is bigger and better than ever, and the organizers have worked tirelessly to prep a world-class track and an après ski paradise with something for everyone. 

If you know anything about the Sun Valley skiing, you know that it is steep, fast and fun. Ask anyone and they’ll tell you it’s one of the best resorts in the nation to carve GS turns on silky-smooth corduroy. “Of course I think its the best for free skiing GS – it has these perfect runs to arc and the weather is always nice!” exclaimed U.S. Ski Team veteran Resi Stiegler (Jackson, WY). 

Athletes have reason to be amped about the venue, too, because Sun Valley has worked to create an epic super G course at the maximum vertical limit. The Greyhawk area will be the epicenter of energy for the event, with the super G, giant slalom and slalom finishing at the bottom of Greyhawk lift, allowing spectators to see the entire race. 

Drew Duffy, who surprised the field to win the 2015 super G race in Sugarloaf, Maine, is back to defend his title March 24 in Sun Valley, Idaho. (USSA)

Sun Valley-native Tanner Farrow (Ketchum, ID), who has been enjoying some training on the giant slalom track recently, is excited to be on home snow. “SO stoked! I can guarantee Sun Valley will live up to the name,” said Farrow. “We will have a beautiful week of racing and people are working hard to make the atmosphere off the hill great – street parties, bands, and food.” 

While Mikaela Shiffrin (Eagle-Vail, CO) is excited to ski Sun Valley for the first time, veterans like Marco Sullivan (Squaw Valley, CA) have good memories of Sun Valley from long ago, “I always have had a great time skiing in Sun Valley, dating back to my Junior Olympic days in the early 90s,” reflected Sullivan. “Love the small town vibe, endless groomed runs and then heading to Apples Bar and Grill for some aprés. I am definitely looking forward to Alpine Champs.”

Nina O’Brien will defend her giant slalom title on March 27 (USSA)

Another veteran, three-time Olympian Steven Nyman (Sundance, UT), notes that U.S. Alpine Champs is special to him because it’s finally in his home division, which he’s never experienced before. “This is important because the kids from our division have the ability to race with and see America’s best compete,” said Nyman. “I know several people who are making the trek up from Utah to watch and enjoy a great ski weekend!”

Keep an eye out for Olympic gold medalist, two-time World Slalom Champion and four-time National Slalom Champion Shiffrin, Stiegler, Nyman, Sullivan, Farrow and up-and-comers like World Juniors downhill champion Erik Arvidsson (Woodside, CA), three Youth Olympic Games gold medal winner River Radamus (Edwards, CO) and last year’s surprise super G and giant slalom National Champions Drew Duffy (Warren, VT) and Nina O’Brien (San Francisco, CA). 

U.S. SKI TEAM STARTERS (AC, SG, SL, GS)

Men 

Michael Ankeny – AC, SG, SL, GS

Erik Arvidsson – AC, SG, SL, GS

Bryce Bennett – AC, SG, SL, GS

Thomas Biesemeyer – AC, SG, GS

David Chodounsky – AC, SG, SL, GS*

Kieffer Christianson – AC, SG, SL, GS

Ryan Cochran-Siegle – AC, SG, GS

Drew Duffy – AC, SG, SL, GS*

Sam Dupratt – AC, SG, SL, GS

Mark Engel – AC, SG, SL, GS

Tanner Farrow – AC, SG, SL, GS

Tommy Ford – AC, SG, SL, GS

AJ Ginnis – SL, GS

Tim Jitloff – AC, SG, SL, GS*

Tim Kelley – SL 

Patrick Kenney – AC, SG, SL, GS

Nicholas Krause – AC, SG, SL, GS

Sam Morse – AC, SG, SL, GS

Steven Nyman – AC, SG, SL, GS

River Radamus – AC, SG, SL, GS

Hig Roberts – AC, SG, SL, GS

Brennan Rubie – AC, SG, SL, GS

Marco Sullivan – AC, SG, GS

Sandy Vietze – AC, SG, SL, GS

Kipling Weisel – AC, SG, SL, GS

Women

Stacey Cook – AC, SG

Breezy Johnson – AC, SG, SL, GS

Lila Lapanja – SL, GS

Stephanie Lebby – AC, SG, SL, GS

Patricia Mangan – AC, SG, SL, GS

Anna Marno – AC, SG, SL, GS

Alice Merryweather – AC, SG, SL, GS

Paula Moltzan – AC, SG, SL, GS

Nina O’Brien – AC, SG, SL, GS*

Laurenne Ross – AC, SG

Mikaela Shiffrin – SL, GS*

Resi Stiegler – SL, GS

Galena Wardle – AC, SG, SL, GS

Jackie Wiles – AC, SG, SL, GS

*defending 2015 National Champion

SCHEDULE 

March 22-27, 2016, Sun Valley Ski Resort

Tuesday, March 22 – Men’s alpine combined and FIS super G

Wednesday, March 23 – Women’s alpine combined and FIS super G

Thursday, March 24 – Men’s and women’s super G

Friday, March 25 – Men’s and women’s slalom

Saturday, March 26 – Men’s giant slalom

Sunday, March 27 – Women’s giant slalom

For more info, head to www.sunvalley.com/usalpine

KVITFJELL, Norway (Mar. 11, 2016) – The conditions in Norway are looking prime and the stage is set for an American Downhiller vs. Attacking Viking showdown on home turf for the Norwegians. But can the American Downhillers sneak in there for the upset on race day?

In both Thursday and Friday’s training runs, a pair of Attacking Vikings and an Italian came out on top, with Italy’s Peter Fill clocking the fastest time on Thursday followed by Norway’s Aleksander Aamodt-Kilde and Kjetil Jansrud, and Jansrud on top Friday followed by Fill and Kilde yet again. But don’t count out those American Downhillers just yet.

Travis Ganong took fourth in Friday's training run. (Getty Images/Cornelius Poppe)

Steven Nyman (Sundance, UT) – who was featured in this week’s What Makes a Champ feature– finished fifth fastest in the first training run. On day two, Travis Ganong (Squaw Valley, CA) – who returns to Audi FIS Ski World Cup action after healing a nagging knee injury – was the top American in fourth, with teammate Nyman on his heels in fifth.

After a short trip home to see his new daughter, Andrew Weibrecht (Lake Placid, NY) finished 15th and 17th in the training runs and will be one to keep an eye on this weekend. Weibrecht’s challenge will be Kvitfjell’s first carousal turn – if he nails that, it could be a landmark finish.

Tomorrow’s downhill start will be a milestone for 16-year veteran Marco Sullivan – his 105th downhill start – the most of any American. Bode Miller (Franconia, NH) has 104 downhill starts. Last year “Sully” finished 12th on the challenging Olympiabakken track, which Head Coach Sasha Rearick says is the “best prepared he’s seen this place.” Combine the hero conditions with the way these guys have been skiing lately and it’s not out of the question that they’ll stack the top 10.

Steven Nyman grabbed two fifths in training. (Getty Images-Cornelius Poppe)

Be sure to watch Thomas Biesemeyer (Keene, NY), who has consistently scored points in his comeback season – including a career best 11th place in super G at Beaver Creek. The men will ski a downhill and super G in Kvitfjell. Former U.S. Ski Team legend Daron Rahlves, who has had success in Kvitfjell in the past, sent a simple message to the boys for the weekend: “Find the flow and take over Norway!”

Over in Switzerland, the women will tackle a super G and alpine combined in Lenzerheide, where the track has also been perfectly prepared and the ladies were amped after their hill free ski on Friday. Laurenne Ross (Bend, OR) and Stacey Cook (Mammoth Lakes, CA) will have to send it and push all the way from start to finish in order to come out on top.

Andrew Weibrecht skied solidly in training. (Getty Images-Cornelius Poppe)

Ross, who is now in the first seed in super G, has made a steady progression to the podium this season, landing in the top 10 in the last six races she’s finished. When NBC asked about how it feels, Ross laughed, “I’m in the top seed?! I didn’t know that. It feels good.” With more confidence than ever before, Ross is gunning for the top step of the podium this weekend.

Kvitfjell Starters (DH, SG)
Thomas Biesemeyer – DH, SG
Travis Ganong – DH, SG
Steven Nyman – DH, SG
Marco Sullivan – DH, SG
Andrew Weibrecht – DH, SG

Lenzerheide Starters (SG, AC)
Stacey Cook – SG
Laurenne Ross – SG, AC

QUOTES

Steven Nyman
[On the conditions, and Thursday’s training run]
It’s perfect. The weather is perfect. I think with last week’s snow, they’ve done a great job clearing it off and the piste is just really nice to ski – just very smooth. You can do whatever you want on the snow and they’ve built some cool little terrain features so you have to be active the whole way down and pick your way through some of those lines, but it’s a lot of fun. The air is in the right place and it’s not too big in zones, but it’s big where it can be big. I know I can do well here and I know I can win here, so I just have to refine my line. Today I went a little too straight in some sections, but I wanted to try it out and see if it was fast.

Travis Ganong
[On his knee, and how it’s feeling]
My knee hurts a lot. I only take one inspection, one race run and the rest of the time is spent doing therapy. Yesterday was the real test to see how it would feel on the World Cup hill and today I thought “I’m going to push a little more and see” and it’s feeling okay. I can, for sure, push, and I think it’s okay for me to race. I just need to survive the last six days or so, and then the season is over. It’s a lot of work – but it’s worth it to be here and be racing again.

[On the conditions, and Wednesday’s training run]
I’ve had a lot of success here in the past. I think I’ve been top five for the last three or four years in a row here, so I just knew I could come here and do something. The course is really smooth and really flowy, and steep to flat, steep to flat, steep to flat, so for me it’s a perfect hill because you have to nail a couple of technical turns and carry the speed on the flats and carry the flow all of the way down. If you miss the timing on a roll or a little jump, you’ll land hard and you’ll kill your speed. So it’s all about finding the transitions of the landings and juicing those and carrying your speed.

Laurenne Ross
[On how it feels to be in the first seed in super G]
It feels amazing. It’s been one of my goals for a really long time. It makes me feel like I’m starting to belong on top and I’m excited to be amongst the seven best super G skiers in the world.

[On what she attributes her recent consistency and success]
I’m learning how to ski safely and fast simultaneously which has been something that’s been really hard for me in the past. I’m gaining experience and I feel like I’m getting more comfortable on my skis and becoming more grounded and I’m just feeling really good about racing.

Broadcast and Live Streaming (times EST)
Saturday, Mar. 12
4:00 a.m. - Women’s super G, Lenzerheide - LIVE - NBC Sports Live Extra
5:30 a.m. - Men’s downhill, Kvitfjell - LIVE - NBC Sports Live Extra

12:00 p.m. - Women’s super G, Lenzerheide - Universal HD
1:30 p.m. – Men’s downhill, Kvitfjell - Universal HD

Sunday, Mar. 13
5:00 a.m. - Women’s alpine combined super G, Lenzerheide - LIVE - NBC Sports Live Extra
6:15 a.m. - Men’s super G, Kvitfjell - LIVE - NBC Sports Live Extra
8:00 a.m. – Women’s alpine combined slalom, Lenzerheide - LIVE - NBC Sports Live Extra

2:30 p.m. - Men’s super G, Kvitfjell - Universal HD
4:00 p.m. - Women’s alpine combined, Lenzerheide - Universal HD

RESULTS
Men’s training run 1
Men’s training run 2

START LISTS
Men’s downhill
Women’s super G

KVITFJELL, Norway (March 12, 2016) – After a short delay, the fog cleared in Norway to leave a bluebird sky and perfect track for Steven Nyman (Sundance, UT) to take his third Audi FIS Ski World Cup downhill podium in three races, finishing third. 

"I skied really well and I’m happy with how I’m feeling on my skis and my movement and the continued podiums," said Nyman after the race. "Three in a row, that’s kind of cool!"

Even with a bobble at the top, Nyman quickly made up time, nailing an aggressive line to take first from the early leader Canadian Manuel Osborne-Paradis. But it wasn’t quite enough to keep the lead, with Dominik Paris of Italy squeaking out his second downhill win in two races and 24-year-old Frenchman Valentin Giraud Moine surprising the fans to take second.

Travis Ganong skis to eighth place. (Getty Imags-Cornelius Poppe)

"It’s funny. Every race day I’ve been really nervous. I have to settle myself down and focus on the necessities," said Nyman. "I know everything is working right—I know my body is right; I just have to perform."

Behind Nyman, Travis Ganong (Squaw Valley, CA) cracked the top 10 in his first race back after taking a few weeks off to nurse a nagging knee injury from earlier this season, taking eighth. Marco Sullivan (Squaw Valley, CA) started his 105 World Cup downhill to take 18th. Andrew Weibrecht (Lake Placid, NY) was 20th and Tommy Biesemeyer (Keene, NY) 36th.

Steven Nyman skis to the podium.

Up next, the men race super G Sunday before heading to St. Moritz for World Cup Finals.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Steven Nyman took third place – his third downhill podium in three races (second in Chamonix and third at Jeongseon's Olympic test event).
• It was Nyman’s ninth career podium result. Prior to 2015-16, Nyman had only podiumed at Beaver Creek and Val Gardena (three times at each venue).
• Dominik Paris is the first Italian man to win back-to-back downhills since 1997.
• Home crowd favorite Kjetil Jansrud of Norway was fast on top, but couldn’t hold the speed down the track and finished tied for fifth with Switzerland's Beat Feuz.
• The men race super G Sunday at Kvitfjell.

QUOTES

Steven Nyman
It’s funny. Every race day I’ve been really nervous. I have to settle myself down and focus on the necessities. I know everything is working right—I know my body is right; I just have to perform. I had a pretty good run. On the first big swinger turn on top—I kind of skipped out a little and it wasn’t that good. I felt myself lose a lot of speed and I think that’s where I lost the race. I lost a lot of time on the bottom, but I thought I skied it pretty well, so it’ll be interesting to look at that. 

I skied really well and I’m happy with how I’m feeling on my skis and my movement and the continued podiums. Three in a row, that’s kind of cool! For me, I have higher expectations. I learned a lot this year and I’ll take that into next season and really establish myself at the beginning, which is what I’m used to doing. I usually don't have the best end of season, but so far, I’ve had a really good end of season. Mix those together and maybe I can make a push for the title next year.

Travis Ganong returns to the World Cup to take eighth.

BROADCAST AND LIVE STREAMING (times EST)

Saturday, Mar. 12
1:30 p.m. – Men’s downhill, Kvitfjell - Universal HD

Sunday, Mar. 13
6:15 a.m. - Men’s super G, Kvitfjell - LIVE - NBC Sports Live Extra
2:30 p.m. - Men’s super G, Kvitfjell - Universal HD

RESULTS
Men's downhill

LENZERHEIDE, Switzerland (March 12, 2016) – Laurenne Ross (Bend, OR) was the top U.S. finisher in 23rd in Saturday’s Audi FIS Ski World Cup super G, won by Austria’s Cornelia Huetter. 

“I was definitely skiing a little bit stiff, a little nervous today,” said Ross, who moved into the first seed of starters based on her seventh-place overall in the World Cup super G standings going into Saturday’s race.

Huetter took her first World Cup victory by 0.10 over Switzerland’s Fabienne Suter. Austria’s Tamara Tippler was third. Stacey Cook (Mammoth Lakes, CA) finished 31st.

Switzerland’s Lara Gut increased her overall World Cup lead following her fifth-place finish Saturday. Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO), who suffered a season-ending left tibial plateau fracture on February 27, is second, followed by Germany’s Viktoria Rebensberg in third. Vonn continues to lead the World Cup super G standings with 420 points. However, Gut is second with 401 points and has an opportunity to win the crystal globe next week at the World Cup Finals in St. Moritz.

Up next, the ladies compete in the alpine combined – one run of super G and one run of slalom – Sunday in Lenzerheide. Ross will be competing in the combined.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Austria’s Cornelia Huetter won her first World Cup race Saturday. 
• Lara Gut of Switzerland leads the overall World Cup standings with 1,302 points following her fifth place finish Saturday.
• Lindsey Vonn, who suffered a season-ending left tibial plateau fracture on February 27, still leads the overall World Cup super G standings. Gut is second with one race remaining at the World Cup Finals next week in St. Moritz.
• Laurenne Ross is currently eighth in the overall World Cup super G standings.
• Austria’s Tamara Tippler scored her third career World Cup podium, and second-consecutive third-place super G finish Saturday.

QUOTES

Laurenne Ross

I was definitely skiing a little bit stiff, a little nervous today. It’s a really nice hill and the snow is prepped really well.

Broadcast and Live Streaming (times EST)

Saturday, Mar. 12

12:00 p.m. - Women’s super G, Lenzerheide - Universal HD

Sunday, Mar. 13

5:00 a.m. - Women’s alpine combined super G, Lenzerheide - LIVE - NBC Sports Live Extra

8:00 a.m. – Women’s alpine combined slalom, Lenzerheide - LIVE - NBC Sports Live Extra

4:00 p.m. - Women’s alpine combined, Lenzerheide - Universal HD

RESULTS

Women’s super G

KVITFJELL, Norway (March 13, 2016) – Andrew Weibrecht (Lake Placid, NY) just missed a podium spot to lead three Americans into the top 20 in Sunday’s Audi FIS Ski World Cup super G.

“I got caught in some soft snow down at the bottom, but that’s just how it goes – made a mistake and lost some time – but it was a good race and I’m happy with it,” said Weibrecht, who finished fifth Sunday. Travis Ganong (Squaw Valley, CA) was 14th and Steven Nyman (Sundance, UT) was 17th.

Andrew Weibrecht skis to fifth place.

Norway’s Kjetil Jansrud won his 14th World Cup race as Austria’s Vincent Kriechmayr finished second, followed by Italy’s Dominik Paris in third on the 1994 Olympic track.

In the hunt for the overall World Cup super G title, Norway’s Aleksander Aamodt Kilde finished fourth Sunday and holds a 25-point lead over injured countryman Aksel Lund Svindal with one race remaining next week at the World Cup Finals. Kriechmayr also remains in the hunt in third, just 37 points back. Weibrecht is fifth overall, 91 points behind Kilde.

Sunday’s race was the final World Cup start in the 16-year career for Marco Sullivan (Squaw Valley, CA), who announced his retirement following Saturday’s downhill – his 105th career World Cup downhill where he finished 18th. Sullivan finished 36th Saturday, and was presented with the #AmericanDowhiller denim vest by his teammates in the finish, along with a champagne shower. 

Marco Sullivan receives a champagne shower following his final World Cup race.

“Marco is the guy when I was first on the U.S. Ski Team that we were all watching and paying attention to,” Weibrecht said. “He has been a huge influence on my skiing. He’s been a huge mentor to me. It’s too bad to see him go; we all wish him the best.”

Up next, the men and women’s tour converge in St. Moritz, Switzerland for the World Cup Finals with downhill training getting underway Monday for the women.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Andrew Weibrecht was the top American, finishing fifth in Sunday’s super G, his fourth top-five super G result this season.
• Norway’s Kjetil Jansrud won his 14th World Cup race Sunday.
• Marco Sullivan competed in his final World Cup race Sunday, finishing 36th.

QUOTES

Andrew Weibrecht

I’m just trying to ski well. I hurt my back in Korea so I'm just getting back to this point where I feel like I can charge again and make good moves. Today was a big step, just to be back in the top five. I had a tough couple of weeks, so I just want to continue building from these races here and finish it off.

I pretty much skied the race that I wanted. I got caught in some soft snow down at the bottom, but that’s just how it goes – made a mistake and lost some time – but it was a good race and I’m happy with it.

[On Marco’s retirement] Marco is the guy when I was first on the U.S. Ski Team that we were all watching and paying attention to. He has been a huge influence on my skiing. He’s been a huge mentor to me. It’s too bad to see him go; we all wish him the best.

BROADCAST AND LIVE STREAMING (times EST)

Sunday, Mar. 13

2:30 p.m. - Men’s super G, Kvitfjell - Universal HD

RESULTS

Men’s super G

LENZERHEIDE, Switzerland (March 13, 2016) – Laurenne Ross (Bend, OR) posted the fastest super G time and finished seventh overall as Switzerland’s Wendy Holdener won another weather-challenged race and the Audi FIS Ski World Cup alpine combined crystal globe Sunday.

“I didn’t feel that great about my slalom … so that gave me a bit more ambition and drive for the super G,” said Ross, who finished 21st in the slalom. “I went straight, tried to arc everything, and I feel great about winning the second run.”

Laurenne Ross wins the super G portion of the combined. 

Heavy fog forced race organizers to switch the format of Sunday’s race, running slalom first and super G second. Fog also delayed and interrupted the afternoon super G. However, Holdener, who posted the fasted morning slalom time, was able to squeak out the victory, despite finishing 11th in the super G. Austria’s Michaela Kirchgasser was second, followed by overall World Cup leader Lara Gut of Switzerland in third. 

With her third-place finish, Gut virtually wrapped up the overall World Cup title heading into this week’s World Cup Finals in St. Moritz. Gut holds a 127-point lead over Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO), who is out for the remainder of the season. Germany’s Viktoria Rebensburg is third overall, 355 points behind Gut.

Ross skis slalom to finish in seventh overall.

Up next, the men and women’s tour converge in St. Moritz, Switzerland for the World Cup Finals with downhill training getting underway Monday.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Switzerland’s Wendy Holdener won the Audi FIS Ski World Cup alpine combined crystal globe following her victory Sunday.
• Lara Gut leads the overall World Cup standings with 1,362 points following her third place finish Sunday.
• Laurenne Ross won the afternoon super G and finished seventh overall, her career-best World Cup alpine combined result.

QUOTES

Laurenne Ross

I didn’t feel that great about my slalom … so that gave me a bit more ambition and drive for the super G. I went straight, tried to arc everything, and I feel about winning the second run.

[On heading into World Cup Finals] It gives me some good confidence to know that I can be on top in super G. I’m psyched going into World Cup Finals and hopefully I can do well there.

Broadcast and Live Streaming (times EST)

Sunday, Mar. 13

4:00 p.m. - Women’s alpine combined, Lenzerheide - Universal HD

RESULTS

Women’s alpine combined
 

ASPEN, CO (March 14, 2016) – The first event of the U.S. Alpine Championships kicked off Sunday in Aspen, CO where hometown favorite Wiley Maple (Aspen, CO, U.S. Ski Team/ Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club) defended his national title successfully, winning the downhill. Breezy Johnson (Victor, ID, U.S. Ski Team/Rowmark Ski Academy) took home the title for the women.

While the rest of the U.S. Alpine Champs take place in Sun Valley, ID next week, the downhill is held in conjunction with the NorAm Finals. This year, the venue was Aspen, where the World Cup Finals will be held in 2017. The race was moved up by a day to avoid forecasted heavy snowfall.

“It feels pretty good to win at home,” said Maple. “I was probably the favorite coming in and it was cool to perform under pressure and win in front of the home crowd defending my title. It was a super fun track that I think everyone enjoyed.”

Maple squeaked out a win over Canadian Jeffrey Frisch by only .05 seconds, grabbing his second title in two years. Erik Arvidsson (Woodside, CA, U.S. Ski Team/Squaw Valley Ski Team), who recently won the World Juniors downhill title, was third.

“Going into World Juniors I had a lot of confidence in speed events and felt really comfortable on my skis. Obviously the win there was an incredible result,” said Arvidsson. “Then to come back home and cap of the season in downhill a third place against a really tight field and moving all the way up into second in the NorAm standings and grabbing a personal World Cup spot for next year was definitely an incredible day and an incredible feat for me.”

Rounding out the American men in the top 20, Drew Duffy (Warren, VT, U.S. Ski Team/Green Mountain Valley School) was fifth, Sam Morse (Carrabassett Valley, ME, U.S. Ski Team/Carrabassett Valley Academy) 10th, Bryce Bennett (Squaw Valley, CA, U.S. Ski Team/Squaw Valley Ski Team) 11th, Keith Moffat (Berkeley, CA, Squaw Valley Ski Team) 12th, Sam DuPratt (Dixon, CA, U.S. Ski Team/Park City Ski Team) 17th, Tommy Ford (Bend, OR, U.S. Ski Team/Mt. Bachelor Ski Education Foundation) 18th, Ryan Cochran-Siegle (Starksboro, VT, U.S. Ski Team/Cochran’s/Mount Mansfield Ski & Snowboard Club) 19th and Bronson Wright (Cottonwood Heights, UT, Snowbird Sports Education Foundation) 20th.

Breezy Johnson won the downhill national title for the first time. (Getty Images/Agence Zoom-Christophe Pallot)

Johnson, who was third in the 2015 U.S. Alpine Champs downhill, crushed her competition, winning by over a second. Along with her national title, Johnson also won the NorAm downhill title and a World Cup quota spot for downhill next season.

Behind Johnson, Jackie Wiles (Aurora, OR, U.S. Ski Team/Pacific Northwest Ski Association/White Pass Ski Club) also stood on the podium, taking second place, tying with Canadian Valerie Grenier.

Nine American women finished in the top 10. Cecily Decker (Saranac Lake, NY, Eastern Regional Team/New York Ski Education Foundation) was fourth, Alice Merryweather (Hingham, MA, U.S. Ski Team/Attitash Race Team) fifth, Abby Ghent (Edwards, CO, Ski & Snowboard Club Vail) sixth, Anna Marno (Centennial, WY, U.S. Ski Team/Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club) seventh, Nina O’Brien (San Francisco, CA, U.S. Ski Team/Burke Mountain Academy/Squaw Valley Ski Team) eighth, Patricia Mangan (Buffalo, NY, U.S. Ski Team/Holimont Race Team) ninth and Galena Wardle (Aspen, CO, U.S. Ski Team/Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club) 10th.

The rest of the U.S. Alpine Championships events, including super G, alpine combined, giant slalom, slalom and a team event, begin at Sun Valley on March 22.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Wiley Maple defended his downhill national title successfully, winning on his home hill.
• Breezy Johnson won the women’s downhill national title. She also won the NorAm downhill title and a World Cup quote spot for downhill next season.
• It was the first event of the U.S. Alpine Championships, held in conjunction with the NorAm Finals at Aspen.
• U.S. Alpine Championships events continue at Sun Valley on March 22.

QUOTES
Wiley Maple
It feels pretty good to win at home. I was probably the favorite coming in and it was cool to perform under pressure and win in front of the home crowd defending my title. It was a super fun track that I think everyone enjoyed.

Erik Arvidsson
Going into World Juniors I had a lot of confidence in speed events and felt really comfortable on my skis. Obviously the win there was an incredible result. Then to come back home and to cap of the season in downhill with two third places against a really tight field and moving all the way up into second in the NorAm standings and grabbing a personal World Cup spot for next year was definitely an incredible day and an incredible feat for me. Grabbing a World Cup spot is definitely something you dream about as a kid and knowing that next year I’m going to make my debut is really exciting.

RESULTS
Men’s downhill
Women’s downhill

The Olympiabakken at Kvitfjell outside Lillehammer, Norway is a very special course for American Downhillers. It was here in 1994 that Golden Boy Tommy Moe struck Olympic gold on opening day. In the years to follow, U.S. Ski Team stars like Kyle Rasmussen, Daron Rahlves and Bode Miller would all win here.

It was race day at Kvitfjell. After inspection, Squaw Valley ski racer Marco Sullivan buckled his boots at the U.S. Ski Team’s mid-mountain hotel and slid over to the chairlift. He was trying to keep his mind focused as he headed to the top for his number 28 start position. 

It was a challenge to keep a clear head that day. This was a routine he had done 104 times before on downhill day. But this day was different. He decided number 105 would be his last. After 15 years traveling the White Circus, it was time to go home.

The irony of his 105th World Cup downhill is that with it he passed the American record of 104 held by Bode Miller – nothing strategic, just the way it worked out.

Marco Sullivan was celebrated with flag and champagne after he ran his final race Sunday in Kvitfjell, Norway. (Getty Images/AFP-Jon Olav Nesvold)

In 15 years, you build a lot of memories. Marco’s mind drifted to the 2002 Olympic downhill at Snowbasin, Utah. Family and friends were there from Tahoe. Just 21 and new to the team, he hadn’t expected to be racing in the Olympics. He ended up as the top American.

Then there was that magical day in 2008 when he rocketed down the La Verte piste into the village of Les Houches, winning the Kandahar downhill in Chamonix by nearly a half second over Didier Cuche.

Marco Sullivan (center) celebrates after winning the men's FIS World Cup Kandahar downhill in Chamonix on Jan. 26, 2008. Swiss Didier Cuche (left) was second and Slovenian Andrej Jerman was third. (Getty Images/AFP-Oliver Morin)

“As a young boy you have those childhood dreams of winning a World Cup,” reminisced Sullivan. “My dream became a reality in Chamonix.”

Since the 1984 downhill gold of Bill Johnson, as well as Moe’s title a decade later, a generation or two of great American Downhillers have made their presence known on the tour. Marco Sullivan is one of them – his inviting smile and undying tenacity have made him a downhill ski racer who fans around the world respect.

“It didn’t really hit me until I was in the finish,” said Sullivan. “I was taking in everything the whole day. It was especially nice to hear from all my competitors about how much they loved having me around.

“I guess they meant it,” he laughed. “I always tried to be the guy who helped lift everyone’s spirit.”

It’s easy to pick Chamonix as a memory. But what meant the most to Sullivan was his ability to return from adversity. “What I remember most are the times I came back - the injuries and periods when I wasn’t skiing well,” he said. “It’s the ups and downs of being a ski racer and an athlete. Today, I’m healthy and I still love ski racing.”

Marco Sullivan won the men’s World Cup downhill on Jan. 26, 2008 in Chamonix, France. (Getty Images/AFP-Franck Fife)

Sullivan pointed to last season when he failed to qualify for a start spot in the downhill at the Vail/Beaver Creek World Championships. It was tough to leave Beaver Creek. But he put it behind him and came back to the tour to nail a pair of top 10 results and seal another year’s spot on the U.S. Ski Team.

Sullivan’s legacy is already playing out. As a young ski racer, he remembers how much it meant to him to meet Kyle Rasmussen from Bear Valley and Daron Rahlves from Sugar Bowl. They were the stars he looked up to. Now, the tables are turned.

“I still think it’s so incredible that kids look up to me,” he said. “It’s something I’m really proud of - to be able to leave that behind.”

Perhaps World Junior downhill champion Erik Arvidsson summed it up best: “Marco Sullivan has been an inspiration to me growing up and skiing for the Squaw Valley Ski Team. Marco was everyone’s hero. He’s such a good guy and has been such an influence on me whenever I’ve gotten to train with him. You look up to those guys.”

One of Sullivan’s proudest moments this year was watching his teammate and fellow Squaw Valley native Bryce Bennett get his historic sixth place finish on the Saslong at Val Gardena last December.

Fans, friends and teammates will remember Marco Sullivan as a great American Downhiller and a guy who brought his special charm to the White Circus – pitching himself down the terrifying steeps of the Hahnenkamm and the leg-burning pitch of the Lauberhorn.

“Thanks to everybody for this run,” said a grateful Marco Sullivan. “It’s been an amazing 15 years. I love downhill ski racing. The record shows how much it means to me.”

ST. MORITZ, Switzerland (Mar. 15, 2016) – The Audi FIS Ski World Cup Finals kick off on Wednesday, March 16 at the site of the 2017 World Championships in St. Moritz. The sun is shining, the track is reminiscent of that Colorado buttery smooth snow and globes are up for grabs. Plus, nearly all World Cup Finals events will be shown live on NBCSN.

Nine American athletes are heading to World Cup Finals, where the top 25 ranked athletes in each discipline descend upon St. Moritz. Fans will be able to follow the action live on NBCSN and via live streaming on NBC Sports Live Extra with more than 15 hours of coverage, including the downhill, super G, team event, giant slalom and slalom events. Coverage begins Wednesday on NBCSN at 6 a.m. ET with the men and women’s downhills. Former U.S. Ski Team member Steve Porino and two-time Olympian Kaylin Richardson will be commentating the women’s races, with Porino and Olympic downhiller Todd Brooker will announce the men’s events.

Steven Nyman was 11th in Tuesday’s downhill training at the Audi FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup Finals in St Moritz, Switzerland. (Getty Images-Mitchell Gunn/)

For the women, Olympic gold medalist and two-time World Champion Mikaela Shiffrin (Eagle-Vail, CO) – who just celebrated her 21st birthday – will be going for her 10th consecutive World Cup slalom win. Shiffrin headlines an impressive roster of U.S. Ski Team athletes including Laurenne Ross (Bend, OR), Stacey Cook (Mammoth Lakes, CA) and Resi Stiegler (Jackson, WY) – who is excited to make her return to World Cup Finals for the first time since 2012. For the men, two-time Olympic medalist Andrew Weibrecht (Lake Placid, NY), Travis Ganong (Squaw Valley, CA), Steven Nyman (Sundance, UT), Tim Jitloff (Reno, NV) and David Chodounsky (Crested Butte, CO) will compete. 

After the Lenzerheide races, the women drove to St. Moritz for downhill training Monday morning. Training runs on Monday and Tuesday both proved to be a challenge as many women struggled to make all of the gates. But Ross and Cook both showed promise, finishing in the top 10 both days, with Ross finishing in third on Tuesday. The Swiss women will be strong contenders on home snow with Lara Gut, Corinne Suter and Fabienne Suter all skiing strong on training days. Keep an eye out for Lichtenstein’s Tina Weirather, too. 

Laurenne Ross during Tuesday’s downhill training at the Audi FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup finals in St Moritz, Switzerland. (Getty Images-Clive Rose)

It was a quick turnaround for the men, who traveled back from Kvitfjell, Norway and jumped right into action with their first and only downhill training run on Tuesday. On a new track with no trees, it’s a challenge to know where you’re going when skiing at 90 mph, but it didn’t seem to bother Italians Peter Fill and Christof Innerhofer, who sandwiched Switzerland’s Beat Feuz for the top three. 

The American Downhillers struggled a bit with the track, though Ganong capitalized on training he had on this hill a couple of weeks ago and landed in eighth. Heavy winds affected the big man, Nyman, who has podiumed in the last three World Cup races, and he finished in 11th. Weibrecht finished 19th. 

Noticeably missing at World Cup Finals this year is Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO), who will travel to St. Moritz on Wednesday to accept her record 20th crystal globe for the downhill discipline. After sustaining a knee injury in Soldeu-El-Tarter, Andorra, Vonn made the tough decision to sit out the rest of the season. This opened the door for Switzerland’s Lara Gut to continue her quest for the overall globe. 

World Cup Finals Starters (DH, SG, TE, GS, SL)

Men

David Chodounsky – TE, SL

Travis Ganong – DH, SG

Tim Jitloff – TE, GS

Steven Nyman – DH

Andrew Weibrecht – DH, SG

Women

Stacey Cook – DH

Laurenne Ross – DH, SG, TE

Mikaela Shiffrin – GS, SL

Resi Stiegler – TE, SL

QUOTES

Laurenne Ross 

The conditions are prime here in St. Moritz. The snow is basically perfect – it’s going to get a little bumpy for the race tomorrow with the men running it too, but it feels really good and solid under your feet and the course is pretty fun. There’s one technical section that gets a bit awkward, but otherwise it’s a good downhill and I’m psyched to race. I feel tired, but I still have my head in the game. Typically, I tend to ski better when I’m a little fatigued because I don’t ski as tense. So I’m just going to trust that, hope for the best and try to ski strong. 

Steven Nyman

The snow is really nice and smooth and a lot of fun to ski—there’s just a lot of wind up there. I went off that jump with a good crosswind and it just kind of caught me and started twisting me, so that freaked me out, but I pulled it off. After that, I wasn’t charging too much. It’s tough because there’s only one training run, but I like the hill. I think it suits me and I think I can do really well here. So hopefully I can put everything together and lay it down. I’ve learned a lot this year and will take it into next year. This podium streak that I have right now is good because it’s all different hills and hopefully I can podium here too. 

Andrew Weibrecht

I’ve found my consistency. I’m able to get to the same place every day training and racing, mentally, so I think that really helps me to be able to fire it in day after day. I’m feeling good now, and Kvitfjell was nice to get back into the swing of things. It’s always easy at the end to put one last good effort in – we’ve got a couple of days left here, so it’s good. The super G overall is not really playing in my mind – none of that matters if I’m not skiing well, so that’s all I’m focusing on. If I get super-lucky, then it’s a possibility I can win, but I’m not focused on it at all. 

Broadcast and Live Streaming (times EST)

Wednesday, Mar. 16

6:00 a.m. - Women’s downhill, St. Moritz - NBCSN and NBC Sports Live Extra

7:00 a.m. - Men’s downhill, St. Moritz - NBCSN and NBC Sports Live Extra

Thursday, Mar. 17

6:00 a.m. - Men’s super G, St. Moritz - NBCSN and NBC Sports Live Extra

7:00 a.m. - Women’s super G, St. Moritz - NBCSN and NBC Sports Live Extra

Friday, Mar. 18

7:00 a.m. - Team event, St. Moritz - NBCSN and NBC Sports Live Extra

Saturday, Mar. 19

3:30 a.m. - Women’s slalom run 1, St. Moritz - NBC Sports Live Extra

4:30 a.m. - Men’s giant slalom run 1, St. Moritz - NBC Sports Live Extra

7:00 a.m. - Men’s giant slalom, St. Moritz - NBCSN and NBC Sports Live Extra

8:00 a.m. - Women’s slalom, St. Moritz - Universal HD

9:00 a.m. - Men’s super G (encore), St. Moritz - Universal HD

1:00 p.m. - Women's downhill (encore), St. Moritz - NBC

Sunday, Mar. 20

3:30 a.m. - Men's slalom run 1, St. Moritz - NBC Sports Live Extra

4:30 a.m. - Women’s giant slalom run 1, St. Moritz - NBC Sports Live Extra

6:00 a.m. - Men's slalom, St. Moritz - NBCSN and NBC Sports Live Extra

7:00 a.m. - Women's giant slalom - NBCSN and NBC Sports Live Extra

8:00 a.m. - Men’s slalom (encore), St. Moritz - Universal HD

9:00 a.m. - Women’s super G (encore), St. Moritz - Universal HD

RESULTS

Men’s training run 1

Women’s training run 1

Women’s training run 2

START LISTS
Men’s downhill

Women’s downhill
 

ST. MORITZ, Switzerland (March 15, 2016) – The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association’s (USSA) National Training Group (NTG) athlete Ben Ritchie (Waitsfield, VT, National Training Group/Green Mountain Valley School) snagged second place at the Longines Future Ski Champions event.

The Longines event, which alternates between men’s and women’s races each year, brings together the future talents of alpine ski racing to compete against each other on the scene of a major professional circuit competition. This year’s event took place the day prior to the the kick off of the 2016 Audi FIS Ski World Cup Finals in St. Moritz. 

Ben Ritchie (left) finished second at the Longines Future Ski Champions event. Joshua Sturm of Austria won, as Augustin Bianchini of France was third. (USSA)

On the same track as the World Cup Finals giant slalom, Ritchie had a brilliant run, finishing just .17 seconds behind Joshua Sturm of Austria. Augustin Bianchini of France rounded out the podium in third. 

The event was another notch on Ritchie’s growing tally of major international events, including this year’s Hahnenkamm Juniors and Seven Nations Cup. 

“I’m not sure if it’s more important than Hahnenkamm Juniors, but it feels like it with all the cameras and the scene here,” Ritchie said. “I was pretty nervous coming into it; we don’t have much snow for training now on the east coast. But I felt comfortable on the course. It was fun.”

Ritchie is USSA’s top U16 athlete, having taken home super G and slalom titles at last year’s U16 U.S. National Championships. He also won five out of six NTG time trial runs at Copper Mountain.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ben Ritchie finished second in this year’s Longines Future Ski Champions, racing against some of the best U16 racers from 14 countries.
• Ritchie is a member of USSA’s National Training Group.
• NTG’s Keely Cashman (Strawberry, CA) and U.S. Ski Team’s River Radamus (Edwards, CO) have also represented the U.S. at the Longines event.
• It is the third Longines Future Ski Champions. Longines ambassador Mikaela Shiffrin (Vail, CO) presented bibs to the athletes in St. Moritz. 

ST. MORITZ, Switzerland (March 16, 2016) – Steven Nyman (Sundance, UT) scored his fourth-straight downhill podium – an American record - finishing second at the Audi FIS Ski World Cup Finals to wrap up the season Wednesday. 

“I skied really, really well today,” Nyman said. “I nailed the top … but the last turn I was a little to shallow and didn’t carry the speed I needed too and that’s where Beat (Feuz) got me and took the lead.”

Steven Nyman finished second in the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup men’s downhill finals. (Getty Images/Agence Zoom-Alexis Boichard)

Switzerland’s Feuz won the race, finishing just 0.08 ahead of Nyman – or just 2.39 meters, which is about the length of a downhill ski. Canada’s Erik Guay was third – his best downhill result of the season. Travis Ganong (Squaw Valley, CA) was sixth, while Andrew Weibrecht (Lake Placid, NY) was 21st. Peter Fill finished 10th, but scored just enough points to become the first Italian to win the overall World Cup downhill Crystal Globe. 

Nyman, who finished sixth in the overall downhill standings, finished the 11-race downhill season with four-straight podium finishes: third Jeongseon, second Chamonix, third Kvitfjell and second in St. Moritz. Wednesday’s result not only motivates Nyman for next season, but most importantly the 2017 World Championships on the same course in St. Moritz, and the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in South Korea.

“To have four podiums in a row, I’m really fired up and ready to carry that momentum into next season,” said Nyman, who became the first American skier to podium in four-straight World Cup events. Previously, two U.S. athletes had three-straight podium finishes, including Daren Rahlves in 2003 and 2006; and Bode Miller in 2008. “I set the tone today (for next year’s World Championships) … it’s a boost for my confidence and motivates me,” he added.

In the women’s downhill, Austria’s Mirjam Puchner scored her first World Cup downhill victory. Switzerland’s Fabienne Suter was second, just 0.13 back, and Italy’s Elena Curtoni was third. Stacey Cook (Mammoth Lakes, CA) was 11th and Laurenne Ross (Bend, OR) was 15th.
 

Lindsey Vonn holds the women's downhill Crystal Globe, her record 20th overall World Cup title.  (Getty Images/AFP-Fabrice Coffrini)

Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO), who won five downhill races this season but suffered a season-ending left tibial plateau fracture on February 27, was presented with her 20th career Crystal Globe following the women’s downhill race Wednesday. 

“I felt like I had a really great year – nine wins – and to be able to still take home one Globe at least, even though I had to end my season early, it means a lot,” Vonn said. “I worked so hard and was so close - I was leading four titles when I got hurt - so to still have at least one (Globe), that was huge and I’m pretty excited about it.”

Up next, the men and women compete in super G Thursday. Ganong, Weibrecht and Ross are all scheduled to compete.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Steven Nyman finished second for his fourth-straight Audi FIS Ski World Cup downhill podium.
• Switzerland’s Beat Fuez won by 0.08 seconds over Nyman for his first World Cup downhill victory in more than four years (Sochi 2012).
• Peter Fill finished 10th,but became the first Italian to win the overall World Cup downhill title.
• Austria’s Mirjam Puchner won her first World Cup downhill race Wednesday.
• Lindsey Vonn was presented with her record 20th career Crystal Globe after winning the overall World Cup downhill title.

QUOTES

Steven Nyman

I skied really, really well today. I nailed the top … but the last turn I was a little to shallow on and didn’t carry the speed I needed to and that’s where Beat got me and took the lead.

To have four podiums in a row, I’m really fired up and ready to carry that momentum into next season. I just learned a lot this year. Really happy and feeling strong, but I’m also ready for the season to end.

[On heading to Sun Valley for U.S. Alpine Championships] I haven’t competed at an (U.S. Alpine Championships) event in the Intermountain. That’s my home division, so I feel like its home court. I’ll have a lot of friends there, so it’s going to be a lot of fun.

I set the tone today (for next year’s World Championships) … it’s a boost for my confidence and motivates me. 

Lindsey Vonn

I’m so proud of what I have done and happy that I was able to come back here and accept my Globe.

I felt like I had a really great year – nine wins – and to be able to still take home one Globe at least, even though I had to end my season early, it means a lot. I worked so hard and was so close - I was leading four titles when I got hurt - so to still have at least one (Globe), that was huge and I’m pretty excited about it.

Broadcast and Live Streaming (times EDT)

Thursday, Mar. 17

6:00 a.m. - Women's super G, St. Moritz - NBCSN

7:00 a.m. - Men's super G, St. Moritz - NBCSN

RESULTS

Men’s downhill

Women’s downhill

Final World Cup Downhill Standings

Men

Women