Slalom Podium race two Cerro Castor: Photo U.S. Ski & Snowboard
Sixteen-year-old American wins first two Continental Cups on a day of icy conditions and low finish rates.
Grosdidier Wins First Career Continental Cup in Race 1
The U.S. women proved their depth once again in the South American Continental Cup, this time in slalom. On Aug. 14, both women’s races were packed into one day after wind forced a change in the schedule, and the field faced bulletproof ice on a demanding Cerro Castor slope.
In the first race, 16-year-old Logan Grosdidier of the Stifel U.S. Ski Team’s Europa Cup tech group claimed her first Continental Cup victory, a remarkable achievement given her age and limited slalom preparation. Argentina’s home favorite and World Cup veteran Francesca Baruzzi Farriol finished second, just 0.10 behind, while teammate Liv Moritz rounded out the podium in third. Kjersti Moritz set the tone early, leading after the first run, while Annika Hunt was second at that stage before going out in the second run. Storm Klomhaus, a U.S. independent and former Stifel U.S. Ski Team member, delivered the fastest second run of the race to finish sixth, and Galena Wardle crossed in fourth. Logan’s older sister, Tatum Grosdidier — also part of Kürner’s group — raced the first slalom and had claimed victory in the second giant slalom two days earlier.
Second Race Brings Grosdidier’s Second Win
Just hours later, Logan Grosdidier returned to the start gate and delivered again, winning her second race of the day. Liv Moritz climbed to second place, completing a one-two American finish. Italy’s Francesca Fanti took third, 3.17 back, while independents Wardle added another strong result in fourth and Klomhaus took seventh.
Kürner Praises Team’s Effort in Challenging Conditions
“We came into SL a bit less prepared than we were for GS — just three days of training under our belts,” said Miha Kürner, head women’s Europa Cup tech coach. “The conditions were no joke: bulletproof ice on a demanding hill. And to make things even more interesting, bad weather yesterday meant both races were packed into one day.
“We’d already decided the day before to treat this as a high-quality training day — focus on our own skiing, and if the results came, they’d just be a bonus. The girls stepped up. Everyone showed flashes of real speed, whether in sections or over full runs.
“Kjersti set the tone early, laying down a strong first run in Race 1. Logan was quick to follow with a great performance. Anika had serious pace but unfortunately DNF’d, while Tatum and Liv kept building speed run after run until, by the end, we were right where we needed to be.
“All in all, a very successful camp. Now it’s time for a strength and conditioning block before we’re back on snow in October.”
Men’s Slalom Podiums and Top U.S. Result
The men’s slaloms also produced strong international competition. In Race 1, Germany’s Dominik Zerhoch earned the win ahead of compatriot Marinus Sennhofer and Spain’s Juan del Campo Hernandez. Race 2 saw Sweden’s Fabian Ax Swartz take the victory, with Spain’s Joaquim Salarich Baucells in second and Hungary’s Richard Leitgeb in third.
The lone U.S. top-10 finish came from University of Colorado racer Justin Bigatel, who placed 10th in the second race.
About the Author: Peter Lange
