About the Author: Peter Lange

Haley Cutler, an independent U.S. speed skier, opened her season with two South American Cup downhill wins in Chile and now aims to turn that momentum into World Cup breakthroughs. Without the full backing of the Stifel U.S. Ski Team, she still receives some training opportunities with them but carries most of the logistics, fundraising, and program management herself. Supported by mentors like Lindsey Vonn and her Sun Valley network, Cutler is determined to prove that independence can still lead to success on skiing’s toughest stage.

Jett Seymour capped the ANC men’s series with back-to-back slalom wins at Coronet Peak, while Patrick Kenney, Camden Palmquist, George Steffey, Isaiah Nelson, and Canada’s William St-Germain added top-10 finishes across GS and slalom.

Erich Sailer, who died at 99, was one of the most influential coaches in U.S. ski racing history. From a rope-tow hill at Buck Hill, Minnesota, to the world’s biggest stages, he shaped generations of Olympians, World Cup winners, and thousands of young racers and families. More than results, his legacy lives in the confidence, discipline, and love he instilled in everyone he coached—a touchstone of greatness whose influence will ripple for generations.

Olympic champion Diann Roffe, Burke Mountain Academy coach and National Staff member for the Sports Education Academy at U.S. Ski & Snowboard, is dedicated to training better coaches and building a stronger sport.

Olympic gold medalist Barbara Ann Cochran reflects on her unforgettable slalom win at the 1972 Sapporo Games—victory by two hundredths of a second—and how that moment shaped her life, her coaching philosophy, and a legacy rooted in one of America’s most iconic ski racing families.

Urs Lehmann will step down as Swiss-Ski president after 17 years to become the first CEO of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation at the end of September. The 1993 downhill world champion and former FIS Council member brings decades of experience in sport and business to the new role, aiming to guide the federation through upcoming challenges.

Sixteen-year-old Logan Grosdidier of the Stifel U.S. Ski Team’s Europa Cup tech group swept both South American Continental Cup slaloms in Ushuaia on Aug. 14, earning her first two Continental Cup victories in icy, challenging conditions. Liv Moritz added two podiums, and U.S. teammates Storm Klomhaus, Galena Wardle, and Kjersti Moritz all secured top-10 finishes.

The Stifel U.S. Ski Team’s Europa Cup women delivered back-to-back giant slalom wins at the South American Continental Cup in Ushuaia, Argentina, with Mary Bocock winning day one ahead of teammate Liv Moritz in second, and Tatum Grosdidier claiming her first Continental Cup victory on day two. Both Bocock and Grosdidier earned career-best FIS results, while Glena Wardle, Storm Klomhaus, Logan Grosdidier, Kjersti Moritz, and Liv Moritz added top-10 finishes alongside podiums from international World Cup veterans

After a breakout 2024–25 season that included World Cup points, a Junior Worlds medal, and a national title, 19-year-old Elisabeth Bocock is emerging as a serious contender for the U.S. Olympic giant slalom team. With 13 World Cup starts over two seasons and a full-time move to the World Cup squad, she’s gaining momentum at just the right time.

Magnus Andersson, former head coach of the U.S. Women’s World Cup tech team, has joined Palisades Tahoe in a key leadership role. He will guide the club’s U System, support more than 40 coaches and 250 athletes, and bring a hands-on, long-term vision to one of North America’s most respected alpine programs.

When Sierra Ryder saw a Ski Racing Media Facebook post about an opening with the Stifel U.S. Ski Team, she had no idea it would launch her into a fast-paced, globe-trotting role as Alpine Communications Manager. Now in her fourth season, Ryder navigates the demands of covering two teams often racing far apart, building athlete trust, and preparing for her first Olympic Games—all with a team-first mindset and a spreadsheet that keeps it all moving.

ChatGPT said: With six medal contenders in giant slalom—including Olympic champion Mikaela Shiffrin—and four downhill stars like World Champion Breezy Johnson and comeback legend Lindsey Vonn, the Stifel U.S. Ski Team faces an Olympic selection puzzle ahead of Cortina 2026, where fierce internal competition will make every start spot hard-earned.

After breaking both legs in a World Cup crash, Sam DuPratt fought his way back to the start gate in Val Gardena—three years later, on the same hill. This is the story of grit, setbacks, and a comeback built on total ownership.

Former U.S. Ski Team racer Cody Marshall has joined the Alpine Racing Collective (ARC) as a full-time coach, bringing his World Cup experience and personal journey of recovery to a program focused on athlete growth, resilience, and redefining the alpine ski racing experience.

Daron Rahlves, the most successful U.S. men’s World Cup downhill skier in history, reflects on the bold moves, fierce rivalries, and fearless skiing that defined his career. From Squaw Valley freeskiing to Kitzbühel glory, his story is one of risk, resilience, and relentless detail.

Ski & Snowboard Club Vail has appointed industry veteran Jon Rucker as its new executive director following a national search. Rucker returns to the Vail community with deep leadership experience and a commitment to athlete development, growth, and community connection.

core goals: increasing prize money for athletes and delivering direct funding to all member nations. Through a centralized broadcast deal with Infront and expanded FIS-backed distributions, every National Governing Body now receives substantial support—regardless of size or hosting status. Smaller countries like New Zealand and Greece, long excluded from commercial revenue, are now receiving €400,000 each over three years. Eliasch calls it a transformational shift aimed at strengthening snow sports worldwide.

Thomas Woolson returns to Dartmouth as head coach of the men’s alpine ski team, bringing global coaching experience and a deep personal connection to the program he once captained. Focused on athlete development, team culture, and academic excellence, Woolson aims to build on Dartmouth’s legacy as a launchpad to the sport’s highest levels.