Paula Moltzan / Kransjska Gora GS / GEPA pictures
After more than a decade on Rossignol skis, Paula Moltzan is making one of the biggest equipment changes in women’s alpine skiing by joining Marcel Hirscher’s VAN DEER-Red Bull Sports race program.
Moltzan becomes the first female athlete signed by the brand and the highest-profile woman to date to make the switch.
“The most successful ski racer starts his own ski brand. New team, new approach, new era,” Moltzan said. “Like everyone else, I was blown away when VAN DEER-Red Bull Sports entered the World Cup.”
Why is this move significant?
The move comes after the strongest season of the American’s career. Moltzan recorded four second-place World Cup finishes during the 2025-26 season and earned Olympic bronze in the team combined event in Cortina. She also won World Championship gold in the team event in 2023 and giant slalom bronze at the 2025 World Championships in Saalbach.
“I’m 32 now, but I still feel like I’m on my way to my career peak,” Moltzan said.
Hirscher said expanding into women’s ski racing had always been part of the plan after establishing the brand on the men’s side.
“We always make sure that personality and performance potential match,” Hirscher said. “Paula brings both.”
Can Moltzan continue improving in her thirties?
Moltzan said one of her biggest motivations is proving women can remain competitive later into their careers than many people expect.
“I want to show that skiing fast is much less a question of age than people generally think,” she said.
The American has steadily developed into one of the most consistent technical skiers on the World Cup, with half of her career podium finishes coming this past season.
Husband Ryan Mooney remains part of the setup
Moltzan’s husband, Ryan Mooney, will continue serving as her ski serviceman as the pair begin working with the new setup ahead of the 2027 World Championships in Crans-Montana.
“A new era — exciting,” Moltzan said. “For someone as competitive as I am, it’s exactly the right kind of summer program.”
Information and quotes in this article are based on a VAN DEER-Red Bull Sports press release.
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