Mikaela Shiffrin Training on Copper Mountain / GEPA pictures
The U.S. World Cup Swing Begins in Copper Mountain
The women’s tour shifts to Colorado on Saturday as the Stifel Copper Cup presented by United Airlines opens the women’s U.S. World Cup swing with a high-intensity giant slalom. The first run starts at 10:00 a.m. MST (12:00 p.m. EST / 9:00 a.m. PST), followed by the second run at 1:00 p.m. MST (3:00 p.m. EST / 12:00 p.m. PST). After a thrilling opener in Sölden, Copper arrives with momentum, depth, and Olympic-season urgency.
Scheib Leads the Field After a Breakthrough in Sölden
Austria’s Julia Scheib enters Copper as the early GS leader after a powerful, composed win in Sölden that ignited the home crowd. She controlled both runs and proved she belongs among the world’s best. With her first World Cup victory now behind her, Scheib arrives in Colorado with confidence and a new level of expectation.
Shiffrin Targets Another Step Forward
Mikaela Shiffrin finished fourth in Sölden, showing sharp timing and clean arcs in her first GS race of the season. She now heads into Copper as one of the favorites, especially with Lara Gut-Behrami sidelined for the season after her knee injury in training last week. Shiffrin’s home-snow comfort creates an ideal setup for another push up the standings.
Moltzan and O’Brien Bring Speed and Form
Paula Moltzan launched her season with a brilliant second place in Sölden, attacking both runs with confidence and carrying speed down the pitch of the Rettenbach Glacier.
Nina O’Brien delivered the fastest second run in the field, skiing with a renewed sense of timing and power. Her sixth-place finish signals that she is ready to rejoin the top group throughout the season.
AJ Hurt opened her campaign with 13th, delivering another strong GS result for the Stifel U.S. Ski Team. Elisabeth Bocock finished 19th, a World Cup result that adds weight to her rising-star status.
Lauren Macuga, one of the program’s most dynamic speed racers, returns to GS after scoring World Cup points in the Finals GS last season. She earned that opportunity by surpassing 500 points in downhill and super-G, which granted her start rights in any discipline. Copper will be only her second World Cup GS start — and she embraces the challenge.
Annika Hunt, Keely Cashman, Tricia Mangan, and Kjersti Moritz complete a deep U.S. lineup. Moritz will make her World Cup debut in Copper, a milestone moment for any young athlete.
Canada Lines Up with Power and Promise
Alpine Canada Alpin brings one of its strongest GS groups in years. Valérie Grenier opened her season with 11th in Sölden, skiing with her characteristic aggression. Britt Richardson continued her upward trend with 20th. Cassidy Gray, Justine Lamontagne, and Adrianne Forget complete a five-athlete Canadian roster capable of pushing into the second run.
Robinson Aims to Rebound
New Zealand’s Alice Robinson, one of the most aggressive GS skiers in the world, finished eighth in Sölden after a fierce second run. Her power and willingness to push the limit make her a legitimate podium threat on Copper’s wide-open terrain.
Rising Threats Add Depth to the Field
Thea Louise Stjernesund (NOR), Lara Colturi (ALB), and Zrinka Ljutić (CRO) all opened the season inside the top ten. Their early-season sharpness adds pressure across the board as athletes prepare to fight for every point in an Olympic year.
A Strong North American Foundation
North America placed eight athletes in the top 30 in Sölden — six from the Stifel U.S. Ski Team and two from Alpine Canada Alpin. The Stifel U.S. Ski Team women also arrive in Copper leading the Women’s Nation Cup standings with 519 points, opening a significant early margin over Austria and Switzerland. With 15 North American starters in Copper, the depth and momentum entering the U.S. World Cup swing are undeniable.
As Copper Mountain prepares for a high-speed, high-energy Saturday, the early themes of the Olympic year are already clear: Scheib carries the leader’s bib, Shiffrin pushes toward the top step, Robinson hunts for a rebound, and North America brings one of its deepest fields in years.
The first run will be set by Wolfgang Erharter (AUT), and the second by Luca Agazzi (ITA).
Women’s Stifel Copper Cup Giant Slalom — Start Times
The women’s giant slalom is set for Saturday, Nov. 29. Run one begins at 12:00 p.m. EST / 9:00 a.m. MST, followed by run two at 3:00 p.m. EST / 12:00 p.m. PST. Fans in Great Britain can tune in at 17:00 for the first run and 20:00 for the second.
How to Watch
United States: United States: Live coverage on Outside TV (free)
Canada: Stream on CBC Sports.
Great Britain: Stream on Discovery+
North Americans in Sölden: World Cup Start List and FIS Rankings — FIS Rank Shown if Outside Top 30 on WCSL
- Paula Moltzan, WCSL 7th, Stifel USST, University of Vermont, Ski and Snowboard Club
- Nina O’Brien, WCSL 11th, Stifel USST, Burke Mountain Academy
- Valérie Grenier, WCSL 12th, Alpine Canada Alpine, CA, Club de Ski Mont Tremblant
- AJ Hurt, WCSL 13th, Stifel USST, Team Palisades Tahoe, HEAD
- Britt Richardson, WCSL 18th, Alpine Canada Alpine, CA, Calgary Alpine Racing Club
- Mikaela Shiffrin, WCSL 25th, Stifel USST, Burke Mountain Academy, Atomic
- Lauren Macuga, WCSL 45th, FIS Rank 243, Stifel USST, Park City Ski Team, Winter Sports School
- Elisabeth Bocock, WCSL 33rd, FIS Rank 17th, Stifel USST, Rowmark Ski Academy
- Arianne Forget, FIS Rank 29th, Belle Neige, Atomic
- Cassidy Gray, WCSL 50th, FIS Rank 50th, Alpine Canada Alpine, Team Panorama, Atomic
- Tricia Mangan, FIS Rank 112th, Stifel USST, HoliMont Snowsports, Dartmouth College, HEAD, SYNC
- Keely Cashman, FIS Rank 114th, Stifel USST, Team Palisades Tahoe, HEAD
- Justine Lamontagne, FIS Rank 128th, Mont Sainte-Anne, Montana State University
- Kjersti Moritz, FIS Rank 139, Stifel USST, Middlebury College, Ski and Snowboard Club *First World Cup
About the Author: Peter Lange
