About the Author: Hank McKee

Controversial first run set by Hirscher's coach called "irresponsible" by Bode Miller.

Just a hundredth of a second prevented Austrian Marcel Hirscher from taking the season title in giant slalom.

The American squad, featuring Mikaela Shiffrin, Julia Mancuso, David Chodounsky and Tim Jitloff, were cast in the role of spoiler.

But a crucial error may have cost Svindal the overall as even Hirscher finishes ahead of him in his specialty.

Svindal hoists the downhill globe and holds the lead in the overall standings.

The weather forecast is favorable to hold the first World Cup Finals downhill race since 2011.

Felix Neureuther passes his dad, Christian, on the all-time World Cup slalom win list.

"Now the GS title isn't so far away," remarked Ligety after the race.

The West once again claims the coveted Regions Cup at U18 national championships in Copper.

“Some of these athletes will move on to NorAm Finals, some to Nationals," said USSA development director Lester Keller.

American Breezy Johnson takes the top spot for U18s in women's downhill.

Canadian Huston Philp wins the men's GS as Stephanie Lebby picks up her second title at Copper Mountain.

Canadian Ford Swette leads North America in 18th; the U.S. Ski Team's Sandy Vietze is 37th.

At the U18 National Championship SG, Stephanie Lebby won the women's race by more than a half-second margin.

The ladies race super G and super combined at Junior World Championships in Jasna, Slovakia.

U18 National Championships at Copper Mountain, Colo., finally get underway following snowy weather.

Aksel Lund Svindal locks up super G title; Andrew Weibrecht scores career-best World Cup result.

Aksel Lund Svindal gains just enough points to wrestle the overall lead away from a resting Marcel Hirscher.