Mikaela Shiffrin Copper Cup / GEPA pictures
Shiffrin Sets the Standard Again
Mikaela Shiffrin delivered another powerful opening run to lead the Copper Mountain slalom at the Stifel Copper Cup presented by United Airlines. She attacked the steep top pitch with full commitment, carried speed through every section, and finished with a 0.28-second lead.
Shiffrin is skiing for her 67th World Cup slalom victory, her 104th World Cup win, and her fourth straight World Cup slalom win dating back to last March.
“I’m trusting my skiing and bringing intensity. The snow changes a lot, but the work I’ve done lets me stay confident,” Shiffrin said.
Only three skiers finished within a second of her.
Holdener and Liensberger Closest Behind
Wendy Holdener sits second after an excellent run from bib 1.
“I like starting first — the slope is clean and I know exactly what I’ll get. Most of it was perfect, and it was a really fun run,” Holdener said.
Austria’s Katharina Liensberger sits third at +0.69, and Albania’s Lara Colturi delivered another strong performance at +0.74.
North Americans: Three U.S. Skiers and Two Canadians Advance
Five North Americans qualified for the second run — three from the Stifel U.S. Ski Team and two from Canada.
United States
- Mikaela Shiffrin — 1st, 0.00
- Paula Moltzan — 12th, +1.79
- Nina O’Brien — 27th, +3.60
Canada
- Laurence St-Germain — 18th, +2.77
- Amelia Smart — 21st, +3.31
Paula Moltzan fought through lingering pain from her crash yesterday.
Moltzan (concise quote):
“Yesterday was a horrible smash. I’m definitely not one hundred percent, but I’m happy to be pushing out of the start gate — and having so much family here makes it better.”
St-Germain, the 2023 World Champion, noted that she struggled to match the changing snow.
“The pitch is aggressive and the flats are soft. I wasn’t in rhythm right away, but I’ll start stronger in run two.”
Smart, delayed in the start because of a TV break, delivered under pressure and advanced easily.
Moritz and Bocock Show Real Speed Despite DQs
Two of the most promising young American slalom skiers — Liv Moritz and Elisabeth Bocock — showed genuine second-run speed before late mistakes took them out.
Moritz, racing two days after her 21st birthday, was emotional but upbeat.
“I know I can ski fast, and I’m proud of the effort. Racing at home with so many friends and family was really special.”
Bocock showed top-30 pace through the steep and improvised at the flush but missed a gate.
“I had to think on my feet through the flush. I wasn’t sure if it was okay, but I’m happy with the speed and the fight.”
Both will be strong second-run contenders as the season builds.
Bibs 31 and Higher — Nine Qualifiers
The high bib athletes created one of the biggest stories of the first run, with nine women starting 31 or higher skiing into the top 30 — a rare number in a World Cup slalom.
- Asa Ando (JPN) — Bib 34, 19th, +3.03
- Jessica Hilzinger (GER) — Bib 37, 20th, +3.28
- Amelia Smart (CAN) — Bib 31, 21st, +3.31
- Aline Danioth (SUI) — Bib 41, 23rd, +3.41
- Thea Louise Stjernesund (NOR) — Bib 55, 25th, +3.56
- Nicole Good (SUI) — Bib 36, 26th, +3.58
- Nina O’Brien (USA) — Bib 39, 27th, +3.60
- Caitlin McFarlane (FRA) — Bib 43, 28th, +3.62
- Anuk Brändli (SUI) — Bib 38, 29th, +3.69
Fastest of the group: Asa Ando — 19th (+3.03)
Highest bib to qualify: Thea Louise Stjernesund — Bib 55
Stjernesund Fights Through From Bib 55
“I knew people would get tired and make mistakes, so I told myself to fight all the way to the finish. The groove was deep, but the conditions were better than they looked. Qualifying from bib 55 is a big confirmation, and now I want to attack again and try to climb.”
— Thea Louise Stjernesund
Cutoff and Second-Run Outlook
The spread among the top 30 was 2.61 seconds, large by slalom standards.
The second run will start in reverse order, building pressure until Shiffrin — the first-run leader — pushes out of the gate last.
And as always in slalom, nothing is final until the last racer crosses the line.
Race Results
click images to enlarge
Run Analysis: Leaders, North Americans
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About the Author: Peter Lange
