Sestriere Italy is ready to host the women’s Alpine World Cup. They have prepared a perfect race hill. However, it is lightly snowing. That means the Sestriere race crew will work with the FIS throughout the night to provide the best surface possible for Saturday’s event. Due to this season’s climate challenges, the Sestriere GS will be the first 2022-23 women’s Alpine World Cup in Central Europe.

European snow can differ from a US Killington surface, meaning different skiers and skis might do well. However, it is wise to expect the stars to shine.

This will be Mikaela Shiffrin’s first race after the Killington World Cups. Shiffrin currently leads the overall by 20 points.

The North Americans will have nine women competing but only one Canadian. Alpine Canada Alpin decided to keep their younger talent in Colorado to ski the NorAms. Four of the NA women will start in the first 30.

USA’s Stella Johansson is independent and privately coached by Slovenian Mitja Kunc. This season, she is living and training in Italy near Cortina. Subsequently, Johansson will get her second chance to start her World Cup career. Previously this season she qualified for the canceled Sölden GS. Uniquely, Johansson qualified to start in Sestriere by finishing second in the recent Swiss Europa Cup GS in Zinal.

North Americans on the Saturday GS start list

• Bib 3, Mikaela Shiffrin, USST, Burke Mountain Academy, Atomic, Oakley
• Bib 17, Valerie Grenier, ACA, Club de Ski Mont Tremblant, Rossignol/LOOK
• Bib 20, Paula Moltzan, USST, Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, Rossignol/LOOK
• Bib 28, Nina O’Brien, USST, Burke Mountain Academy, Rossignol/LOOK
• Bib 53, Katie Hensien, USST, University of Denver, Rowmark Ski Academy, Rossignol/LOOK
• Bib 55, AJ Hurt, USST, Team Palisades Tahoe, HEAD
• Bib 56, Ava Sunshine, USST, Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, Atomic, Swix, ASP
• Bib 58, Allie Resnick, USST, Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, Fischer
• Bib 63, Stella Johansson, Independent, Aspen Valley Ski, and Snowboard Club. Atomic

The first run for the women starts at 4:30 am Eastern Time and 1:30 am on the West Coast. Additionally, the second run will begin at 7:30 am Eastern Time and 4:30 am on the West Coast. To remind you, a full replay is available after the race.

In the USA, the women’s World Cups in Sestriere races are available live and replayed on Ski and Snowboard Live.

Sestriere Women’s World Cup GS start list and program

Sestriere Saturday GS Program