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Switzerland, Austria, and Norway have officially named their rosters for the 2025 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in Saalbach, setting the stage for an intense battle on Austrian snow. With Switzerland leading the Nations Cup standings, Austria aiming for home-soil dominance, and Norway bringing a strong men's squad, the competition promises world-class performances and thrilling races from February 4 to 16.

The Men’s Kandahar downhill in Garmisch-Partenkirchen has been canceled after dense fog at the bottom of the course prevented the final training run, making the race ineligible under FIS rules. Officials explored an alternative plan, but the top 15 ranked racers unanimously voted against it, leading to the event’s cancellation. The decision is a disappointment for athletes, fans, and the German Ski Federation, with financial and logistical impacts. While official racing won’t take place, U.S. and Canadian athletes have been invited to train on the historic Kandahar course ahead of the World Championships in Saalbach.

U.S. Ski & Snowboard has named 21 athletes to represent the Stifel U.S. Ski Team at the 2025 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in Saalbach, Austria, from Feb. 4-16.

The Wilder Dwight speed series at Aspen Highlands continues to honor its namesake while developing future champions. With standout performances from Devon Phillips and Mari Renick, the event remains a vital proving ground, once won by Lindsey Vonn early in her career. Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club Alpine Director Jeff Lackie sees the venue’s potential for national expansion, reinforcing its legacy as a key stepping stone for young speed skiers.

Under the roaring lights of Schladming, Norway’s Timon Haugan delivered a clutch second run to claim victory, securing a Norwegian sweep of the Schladming night races. Austria’s Manuel Feller and Fabio Gstrein gave the home crowd plenty to cheer about, finishing second and third, while Benjamin Ritchie of the Stifel U.S. Ski Team skied his way to 9th place, marking his second career top-10 finish. With the World Championships in Saalbach just weeks away, Austria carries strong momentum, while Norway continues to dominate under the lights.

Under the glow of Schladming’s floodlights, Linus Strasser set the pace in the first run, but the race remains wide open with six skiers within 0.71 seconds. Austria’s Manuel Feller, fueled by a roaring home crowd, looks to close the gap, while Norway’s Timon Haugan and Switzerland’s Loïc Meillard remain in striking distance. Fabio Gstrein’s seventh-place run kept Austrian hopes alive, and the British team pulled off the unusual feat of qualifying all three of its racers. Meanwhile, Ben Ritchie was the lone North American to qualify, continuing his breakout season. With the reverse start order setting up early lead changes and the crowd returning louder than ever, the second run promises a thrilling battle to the finish.

Alexander Steen Olsen claimed his second giant slalom victory of the season under the lights in Schladming, leading a Norwegian 1-2 finish with Henrik Kristoffersen. Marco Odermatt surged to third, while River Radamus gained five spots to finish 12th, capping off an electrifying night on the Planai slope.

The Schladming Night Giant Slalom delivered its signature energy under the floodlights of the iconic Planai. Loïc Meillard leads a tight competition after the first run.

Clément Noël delivered a stunning second run to claim his fourth slalom victory of the season on Kitzbühel’s legendary Ganslernhang slope. Italy’s Alex Vinatzer earned a career-best second-place finish, while Brazil’s Lucas Pinheiro Braathen made history with another podium. The challenging course tested the world’s best, creating the thrilling drama Kitzbühel is known for.

Norwegian Timon Haugan set the pace in the first run of the Kitzbühel World Cup slalom, leading by a slim 0.07 seconds on the challenging Ganslernhang slope. With tight margins among the top racers and standout performances from higher bibs like Britain’s Laurie Taylor and France’s Hugo Desgrippes, the stage is set for a thrilling second run.

Mikaela Shiffrin, the winningest Alpine skier in World Cup history, is set to make her highly anticipated return to competition on January 30, 2025, just 60 days after a season-disrupting abdominal injury. In an exclusive interview with Ski Racing Media, Shiffrin opened up about the challenges of her recovery, from rebuilding muscle strength to balancing training with healing, and reflected on her excitement to race again. She also shared her thoughts on Petra Vlhová’s absence and the resilience it takes to return mid-season, offering fans a glimpse into her journey back to the top of the sport.

James Crawford claimed his first World Cup downhill victory in spectacular fashion on the legendary Streif, becoming the first Canadian to win the Hahnenkamm downhill since Todd Brooker in 1983. Crawford’s fearless run edged out Switzerland’s Alexis Monney by 0.08 seconds, while Cameron Alexander delivered an aggressive performance to secure third, echoing the historic 1983 podium where Brooker stood atop with Ken Read in third. The day also saw Marco Odermatt finish a surprising sixth, highlighting the Streif’s unforgiving nature and proving once again that nothing is guaranteed on the world’s most iconic downhill course.

The legendary Kitzbühel Hahnenkamm Downhill is more than just a race—it's the ultimate test of courage, skill, and resilience in alpine skiing. From the adrenaline-fueled Mausefalle jump to the treacherous Hausberg Traverse and the lightning-fast Zielsprung finish, every section of the Streif demands perfection. While Swiss racers have dominated this season, North American stars like Ryan Cochran-Siegle, Cameron Alexander, Bryce Bennett, and James Crawford are ready to battle for glory. Dive into the full article to discover the stories, contenders, and drama surrounding the most iconic race in ski racing history.

The Women’s World Cup downhill returns to Garmisch-Partenkirchen on January 25, 2025, reviving the iconic Kandahar course after last year’s cancellation. With its steep drops and icy turns, the track promises drama as top contenders, including Italy’s Federica Brignone and Sofia Goggia, vie for critical points in the downhill standings. Adding to the excitement, five-time Garmisch winner Lindsey Vonn is back, aiming to recapture her dominance on one of the sport’s most challenging venues. Don’t miss the action as the world’s best skiers battle for glory in this pivotal race.

Mikaela Shiffrin is set to return to World Cup racing next week in Courchevel after a grueling recovery from a life-threatening injury sustained in Killington. A crash left her with severe oblique trauma and a puncture wound dangerously close to her colon, requiring weeks of intense physical therapy and mental resilience. Shiffrin, supported by her Stifel U.S. Ski Team staff, is focused on progression rather than chasing records, viewing this return as a vital step in her journey back to peak form.

Tommy Ford, the last American male to win a World Cup giant slalom, has suffered a tibial head fracture in his right leg during training at Adelboden's Chuenisbärgli race venue. This injury, which required surgery in Vail, Colorado, has prematurely ended his 2024-25 World Cup season1. Ford, who has a complex history with Adelboden, including a severe crash in 2021, expressed disappointment but gratitude in an Instagram post1. This setback halts Ford's hopes of competing in his sixth World Championship and continues his challenging relationship with the Swiss venue.

Two of the top three Super-G skiers, including a rising Norwegian star, will miss this weekend’s Hahnenkamm Super-G in Kitzbühel. Injuries from last week’s downhill in Wengen have shaken up the field, leaving a golden opportunity for others to climb the standings.

Liv Moritz, a standout on the Stifel U.S. Ski Team and University of Denver athlete, is making her World Cup debut in Kronplatz after impressing coaches with a strong Europa Cup performance in Puy St. Vincent. Balancing a 4.0 GPA, NCAA skiing and soccer, and Europa Cup races, Moritz credits her success to a supportive network of family, teammates, and coaches. The 20-year-old environmental studies major is embracing the challenge with a goal to push out of her comfort zone and soak in the moment alongside her twin sister and teammates.