By the time the US women’s alpine technical team arrived in Cortina, the tone had already been set. Confidence, camaraderie, and belief traveled with them. These qualities were forged over years of setbacks, comebacks, and a World Cup season that proved they belong among the very best in the world.
At the center of that momentum are Nina O’Brien, Paula Moltzan, and AJ Hurt. Three athletes with different paths, shared resilience, and a collective determination to make the most of this Olympic moment.
A Team Built on Depth and Trust
The US women’s team currently leads the Nations Cup across technical disciplines. This reflects not only podium finishes but also depth, consistency, and trust within the group. Every weekend, different American athletes are charging into the top ranks, showing that success is no longer isolated but shared.
“We all train together and push each other,” AJ Hurt explained. “The younger girls see us doing it and know they can do it too.”
That shared momentum is especially evident in the team combined event, where speed and technical skiing come together and athletes rely on one another completely. For Hurt, that trust is personal. She is paired with one of her closest friends, Keely Cashman. Their relationship began when they were children racing at Palisades Tahoe. “To stand in the start with her at the Olympics is unreal,” Hurt said. “We grew up racing together, and now we get to do this on the biggest stage.”
Paula Moltzan Racing With Confidence and Perspective
Paula Moltzan arrives in Cortina with one of the strongest seasons of her career. With multiple World Cup podiums already this winter and consistent top performances in both giant slalom and slalom, she is firmly established among the world’s elite technical skiers. Yet her mindset remains grounded.
“Of course every athlete dreams of an Olympic medal,” Moltzan said. “But my experience here is not defined by that alone. If I ski the way I know I can, that is success.”
Her perspective has been shaped in part by her NCAA experience, which she credits with giving her balance and clarity. “College taught me that there is more to life than ski racing,” she said. “That perspective helps me every day.” Now calling Vermont home, Moltzan will race with strong support in the stands, including friends and community members gathering early in the morning to watch and cheer her on.
Nina O’Brien Strength Through Adversity
For Nina O’Brien, returning to the Olympic stage carries deep personal meaning. Her first Olympic Games in 2022 ended in heartbreak after a crash left her with a broken leg. The recovery took months. After fighting her way back, she suffered another fracture and had to begin again.
“I had to relearn how to walk and how to ski,” O’Brien said. “It was the first major injury of my career and a huge learning experience.”
Now healthy and confident, she believes she is skiing some of the best runs of her life. “I am really proud to be back here,” she said. “When I think about Beijing, I remember how special it was to be at the Games, not just the injury.”
Her goal is clear and honest. She wants to ski bravely, absorb the Olympic atmosphere, and give everything she has each time she pushes out of the start gate.
Racing for Each Other
The team combined event brings a unique kind of pressure. One athlete races downhill, the other slalom, and the result belongs to both.
“When you race for a team, it feels different,” Moltzan explained. “If something goes wrong, it does not just affect you. But that also makes it more meaningful.”
That team first mentality has defined the group throughout the season. The athletes spoke openly about supporting one another through emotional highs and lows, from podium celebrations to watching teammates suffer injuries. “You can hold joy and heartbreak at the same time,” Hurt said. “That is part of being a team.”
Defining Success on Their Own Terms
As the press conference concluded, the athletes were asked what would make these Olympic Games successful.
None of them mentioned medals first.
Success, for them, means skiing freely and fearlessly. It means trusting their preparation and pushing with confidence from the first turn to the last. It means sharing this rare experience with teammates, family, and friends.
In Cortina, the US women’s tech team is racing with momentum, unity, and belief. Whatever the results may be, they are already proving that resilience, trust, and joy are just as powerful as any medal.
About the Author: Katie Twible
