Industry News
What a weekend of FIS World Cup events it has been over Thanksgiving long weekend. While others were tucking into their turkey and left overs, international athletes were battling it out across the globe and bringing home glory for Team USA. A total of seven podiums were won by U.S. skiers across a range of disciplines, showcasing the strength and incredible depth of American skiing across a multitude of FIS events.
Freestyle Slopestyle — Stubai, Austria:
The Freestyle skiers kicked off the World Cup long weekend, with the qualifiers held on Thursday, November 23, 2023. The finals for Friday had to be canceled due to inclement weather, so the qualification results became official results and Team USA won two podium spots: a second place for Mac Forehand and a third place for Alex Hall in the men’s Slopestyle.
- Related: [VIDEO] North American Podium for Slopestyle Skiers at FIS Freestyle World Cup in Stubai, Austria
Nordic Combined, Cross Country & Ski Jumping — Ruka, Finland:
Slightly further north from Austria in Ruka, Finland, the Nordic Combined, Cross Country and Ski Jumping World Cups were held. Team USA scored some valuable points in the Nordic Combination with Stephen Schumann Niklas Malacinski, Benjamin Loomis and Grant Andrews in top 30 finishes, earning them valuable FIS points. Andrew Urlaub, Franz Tate and Erik Belshaw earned points in the Ski Jumping on the men’s large hill.
The cross-country however was definitely the highlight for Team USA with two podiums for Rosie Brennan with a second and third in the 10km and 20km, respectively, and Jessie Diggins with a second place in the 20km race. Incredibly, Jessie Diggins skied to second after breaking her pole on the last mile and accidentally being hit in the face with the replacement pole, drawing blood.
Alpine Slalom / Giant Slalom — Killington, USA:
Last but most definitely not least this weekend saw the Women’s Giant Slalom and Slalom races at Killington, Vermont. Mikaela Shiffrin came third in the Giant Slalom on Saturday and won the Slalom race on Sunday. This takes the American ski racer to a total of 90 World Cup victories in her career.
