Featured Image: Mikaela Shiffrin (USA) rejoicing at the World Cup in Lienz, Austria. Photo: GEPA pictures/ Matic Klansek

This weekend, the women move to Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, for a weekend of tech racing. Mikaela Shiffrin has her sights set on beginning 2024 by continuing her winning record in the World Cup.

After a remarkable performance in Lienz, Austria Shiffrin concluded another highly successful year. She showcased her dominance by winning the GS with a lead of 0.38 seconds ahead of Federica Brignone and triumphed in the slalom with an impressive lead of 2.34 seconds. These victories marked her 93rd World Cup win. 

After her win, she stated, “I am super happy with how I felt. Of course, I should be, and for the whole team. We did a lot of work over Christmas, and it couldn’t have paid off in a better way.”

Previously, Shiffrin excelled in the giant slalom race at Kranjska Gora, claiming the top spot on the GS podium in 2018 and 2023. She currently holds the record for most giant slalom World Cup wins by a female. 

Federica Birgnone has not let wins come easy for Mikaela Shiffrin and is the current leader in World Cup rankings. The Italian racer won both giant slaloms in the Mont Tremblant World Cup. She has podiumed in every giant slalom this season, except for Killington, and will strive for a victory to kick off her new year. 

In the previous year, Shiffrin emerged victorious on the Podkoren track, while Brignone secured the second-place position. Brignone has participated in this World Cup event on seven occasions, attaining two podium finishes and five additional top-10 results. Nevertheless, she will strive to conquer her first win on this demanding slope. 

Her teammate, Marta Bassino (ITA), will be gunning for another podium this weekend. Bassino has the most World Cup podiums for this event, finishing four times in the top 3. She looks to extend that record and achieve her third win on this hill. 

Last season, Valérie Grenier of Alpine Canada Alpin won her first and only World Cup victory in Kranjska Gora. This season, she has continued to show her skilled, technical skiing with five top-10 finishes in GS. She will strive to push herself this weekend to finish triumphantly.

Top-ranked giant slalom women after Lienz World Cup

Other North Americans

Two other Stifel US Ski Team athletes will compete in the World Cup this weekend. Paula Moltzan and A J Hurt will strive to achieve their best results this season. A J Hurt came across the Lienz GS finish with her second career-best result, 11th-place. Her best result also came this season with a 9th-place in the Tremblant GS. 

Hurt stated, “I have been training with Paula and Mikaela. There really aren’t two better people to train within the world. They push me every day, and it is fun chasing them,” she continued, “I feel more confident and more comfortable. I feel like I belong more now, and I am going to keep going as hard as I can every run to see where it takes me.”

Moltzan has finished four of the giant slalom races in the top 15. In the last race in Lienz, she was barely pushed out of the top 15, finishing in 16th place. Despite her consistent display of impressive skiing skills that have the potential to secure her a top position, she remains determined to strive for the leaderboard throughout the upcoming weekend.

For the Alpine Canada Alpin, three other athletes will be racing along with Valérie Grenier, including Sarah Bennett, Cassidy Gray, and Britt Richardson. 

Britt Richardson is currently the second-ranked Canadian GS skier competing in Slovenia. Her best result this season in GS was in her homeland, achieving 15th in Mont Tremblant. 

Unfortunately for Sarah Bennett, finding the finish line this season in giant slalom has been challenging. However, she will strive to finish in Kranjska Gora and increase her world ranking as she heads into the rest of the season. 

Cassidy Gray has scored her third and fourth time in giant slalom this season on the World Cup circuit. She will continue pushing for top-30 results and move up in ranking this weekend.

North Americans competing in the Kranjska Gora GS on January 6th, 2024

• Bib 3, Valérie Grenier, ACA, Club de Ski Mont Tremblant, Rossignol/LOOK, Level Gloves
• Bib 5, Mikaela Shiffrin, Stifel USST, Burke Mountain Academy, Atomic, Oakley
• Bib 15, Paula Moltzan, Stifel USST, University of Vermont Ski and Snowboard Club, Vail, Rossignol/LOOK, Level Gloves, Oakley
• Bib 25, AJ Hurt, Stifel Stifel, Team Palisades Tahoe, HEAD, Level Gloves
• Bib 32, Britt Richardson, ACA, Calgary Alpine Racing Club, Dynastar, Lange, LOOK, Oakley, Level Gloves
• Bib 36, Cassidy Gray, ACA, Team Panorama, Atomic, Level Gloves
• Bib 56, Sarah Bennett, ACA, Club de ski Stoneham, Québec Ski Team, Rossignol, LOOK, Level Gloves

North Americans with 2024 giant slalom World Cup points

About Kranjska Gora, Slovenia

Located on the border of Italy and Austria, this charming town attracts passionate fans from all corners of the three countries when it comes to Alpine racing. It was in 1968 that the first Slovenian World Cup ski racing event took place here, marking a significant milestone. The slalom was won by french skier, Patrick Russel. 

To add to the excitement, the 60th edition of this World Cup event will feature post-award ceremony entertainment and live music by the Mambo Kings.

The women’s first GS run will begin at 9:30 CET, 1:30 AM MST and 3:30 AM EST. Second run will begin at 12:30 CET, 4:30 AM MST and 6:30 AM EST

In the United States watch the live stream and replays on Ski and Snowboard Live

In Canada watch the live stream and replays on CBC Sports

Start list for the Kranjska Gora GS on January 6th

Program for the Kranjska Gora giant slalom on January 6th