Brignone GEPA pictures/ Matic Klansek

Today’s Colorado weather led to the season’s fifth men’s World Cup cancelation. However, after a 15-minute fog delay, Canada delivered an exciting morning of women’s ski racing. The anticipated huge crowd gathered in Tremblant, providing the energy that every World Cup host hopes for. The morning belonged to Italian superstar Federica Brignone. Skiing nearly perfectly, she has a (-0.11) lead over the Swedish Olympic Champion Sara Hector. The only woman to win a GS this season, Switzerland’s Lara Gut-Behrami, had the third-fastest first run and will advance into the afternoon (+0.35) behind the leader.

The two North American stars, Mikaela Shiffrin (+0.47) and hometown hero Valerie Grenier (+0.77), put themselves into good positions for the podium. Shiffrin was 5th fastest and Grenier is right behind her in 6th. Seven women from six nations are within a second of the quickest time.

The Flying Mile race venue punished mistakes

Tremblant’s Flying Mile race venue has a long flat with built-up terrain; any mistake entering or on the flat was severely punished with lost time. After the first fifteen women skied their first runs, the time spread was significant (+2.61) between the 13 finishers. By the time the first 30 had skied the time differential had grown to (+4.18) for the 28 finishers.

Perhaps the most notable morning run came from Italian downhill champion Sofia Goggia. Using her 500+ point status to start 18th, she delivered the 9th best morning run. Close behind her in 11th place is Stifel U.S. Ski Team’s Paula Moltzan (+1.78), who continues her strong 2023-24 GS skiing. The other North American who continues to be impressive is the 20-year-old Canadian Britt Richardson. Richardson started the day with bib 31 and delivered the 12th fastest morning time (+2.12). Additionally, her teammate Cassidy Gray displayed grit and determination, skiing with bib 34 and qualifying 24th (+2.86) despite struggling to maintain her speed on the final pitch.

Qualifier with bibs above 30

Eight women with bibs above 30 could qualify for the afternoon finale. The best was Frances Clara Direz, who used her bib 42 to finish 10th (+1.76). The highest bid to make the second run was 58 Norway’s Kristin Lysdahl 25th (+2.89). The 30th to qualify was Italy’s Elisa Platino (+3.23). Eleven nations will be represented in the afternoon run.

Other North Americans in the first run

North Americans who won’t ski the afternoon finale included the Stifel US Ski Team rocket AJ Hurt, who continues to show world-class speed but did not finish. Also, her teammate Elisabeth Bocock delivered a fast second section but failed to qualify. Three Canadians who skied the first run could not qualify but received loud ovations from the home country crowd at the finish. Sarah Bennett did not finish. Justine Clement, who skis for the University of Vermont, and Justine Lamontagne, who skis for Montana State, received a massive home-country welcome but were too far off the pace to make the second run.

Top 30 first-run results and analysis of the fastest three and qualified North Americans from the Saturday, December 2nd Tremblant World Cup GS

Analysis of the fastest three from the first run & qualified North Americans