Killington finish area: GEPA pictures
Women’s World Cup Slalom in Killington: Who’s Racing When and How to Watch
A Celebration of Racing and Legacy Returns to Killington
The Stifel Killington Cup returns to Vermont’s Superstar trail from November 30 to December 1, 2024, bringing the thrill of world-class alpine racing to the Northeast. Since its debut in 2016, this iconic event has drawn fans from across the globe, marking a historic comeback for FIS Ski World Cup racing in the eastern U.S. after a 25-year hiatus. This year, more than 40,000 fans are expected to gather to cheer on the world’s top female ski racers as they compete in slalom and giant slalom.
Killington’s Superstar trail provides the ultimate challenge, stretching 4,800 feet with a vertical drop of 1,200 feet and pitches as steep as 50 degrees. Preparing the course demands over 15 million gallons of water and countless hours of expert effort. Safety remains a top priority, with five kilometers of fencing ensuring secure race conditions. This meticulously prepared course stands as a testament to the skill and dedication behind every World Cup race.
Shiffrin’s Injury Changes the Narrative
Mikaela Shiffrin, the event’s defending champion and fan favorite, suffered a crash in today’s Giant Slalom on Killington’s Superstar trail. Leading the race after the first run, Shiffrin crashed late in her second run and was taken off the slope on a rescue sled. She is currently undergoing evaluation. Her absence reshapes the competition, as the spotlight turns to other top contenders in the highly anticipated slalom race.
Stars to Watch in Killington
With Shiffrin sidelined, several skiers are poised to step into the spotlight:
Laurence St-Germain (Canada): The reigning World Champion brings her expertise and confidence to a course she knows well.
Camille Rast (Switzerland): Rast has emerged as a consistent podium finisher, claiming third place in the last two World Cup slalom races, including Gürgl. Her recent performances highlight her as a serious contender for victory in Killington.
Sara Hector (Sweden): The Olympic GS champion took advantage of today’s Giant Slalom drama to secure a commanding win. She is expected to carry her momentum into the slalom.
Lara Colturi (Albania): The 18-year-old sensation has already earned her first World Cup podium and continues to impress with her rapid rise in the sport.
Katharina Liensberger (Austria): A proven slalom specialist, Liensberger is well-positioned to contend for the top step on the podium.
Paula Moltzan (USA): Delivering an eighth-place finish earlier this season, Moltzan will aim to rally the home crowd with a standout performance.
National Strength
After the first two slalom races of the 2024–25 FIS Alpine Ski World Cup season, the distribution of top-15 finishes among national teams is as follows:
- Sweden: Three athletes have secured top-15 positions.
- Switzerland: Three athletes have also achieved top-15 finishes.
- Stifel U.S. Ski Team: Two athletes are ranked within the top 15.
- Germany: Two athletes have earned top-15 spots.
This distribution confirms the competitive strength of these nations in women’s slalom.
Top 15 Women’s 2024-25 SL World Cup Standings
Sixty-four women from 18 nations will start the women’s World Cup SL in Killington on Dec. 1. Switzerland and Austria entered the most athletes, with both countries fielding nine competitors.
Klaus Mayrhofer (AUT) will set the first run, and Jörg Roten (SUI) will set the second run.
Rising North American Contenders on the World Cup Start List
Ali Nullmeyer, a former Middlebury College Panther, is progressing despite a tough start to the season. After failing to finish her second run in Levi, she rebounded with an 18th-place result in Gürgl, gaining momentum ahead of Killington. Ranked 14th on the World Cup Start List, Nullmeyer remains a crucial figure for Alpine Canada Alpin. As she prepares for the challenges of the Superstar trail, she aims to build on her recent improvement and deliver a strong performance.
Amelia Smart, a University of Denver graduate and former Pioneer, continues to represent Alpine Canada Alpin on the World Cup circuit. She finished 23rd in Levi but missed the second run in Gürgl by just 0.62 seconds. Now ranked 32nd on the World Cup Start List, Smart will drop out of the top 30 starters for Killington. Despite this setback, she plans to fight back on Killington’s demanding Superstar trail and reclaim the form she displayed in Levi.
AJ Hurt’s Absence Leaves a Void
AJ Hurt, one of the United States’ brightest young talents, made a statement last season with her first World Cup Slalom podium, finishing third in Kranjska Gora from bib 38. Her current ranking of 35th on the World Cup Start List reflects her upward trajectory. However, an upper back injury continues to sideline her, forcing her to miss the season’s first home-country race in Killington. Her absence disappoints fans eager to see her compete, as she remains one of the nation’s most exciting slalom prospects.
North American Women on the SL World Cup Start List
Additional North American Faces in Killington
As the slalom season continues in Gürgl, several North American women are ready to join the field for the third World Cup race and the second slalom of the season. This group blends experienced racers and emerging talents, bringing fresh energy and determination to the North American roster.
Canadian Contender
Kiki Alexander, a member of the Sunshine Alpine Racers and Alpine Canada Alpin, starts late in the first run in Killington. She didn’t finish her first run in Levi and struggled to find speed, but her experience on World Cup courses gives her an edge. With her talent, she is poised to deliver strong results as she gains more experience.
Hensien’s Flashes of SL Brilliance Amid Challenges
Katie Hensien, a Stifel U.S. Ski Team member, has shown flashes of brilliance early this season despite slalom finish challenges. In Levi, she started with bib 42 and posted the 10th and 12th fastest times in the first two splits before straddling, resulting in a DNF. In Gürgl, she delivered an impressive first run, finishing 11th, but did not complete her second run. Hensien’s speed and skill are undeniable, and her performances hint at a bright future for U.S. slalom skiing as the season progresses.
Nina O’Brien, representing the Stifel U.S. Ski Team, began her season with a DNF in Levi and a frustrating result in Gürgl. Despite a solid final split in her first run, she struggled to find speed throughout the course and missed qualifying for the second run by just 0.62 seconds, finishing 38th. After starting the season with a solid giant slalom performance in Sölden, O’Brien is eager to translate her proven skills into results in slalom this season.
Rising Stars Step into the Spotlight
Joining the Stifel U.S. Ski Team’s experienced World Cup veterans are two promising young athletes eager to prove themselves. C team member Elisabeth Bocock, currently enrolled at Dartmouth, was named to Saturday’s GS roster and will make her World Cup slalom debut on Sunday. While Bocock has already competed in multiple World Cup GS races, this marks her first time racing slalom at this level.
University of Denver rookie Mia Hunt will also make her World Cup debut this weekend. Hunt secured her spot on the roster by winning a time trial, earning a coveted opportunity to compete against the world’s top racers.
These rising stars bring fresh energy and ambition to the team, with Bocock expanding her World Cup repertoire and Hunt stepping onto the global stage for the first time. On Killington’s challenging terrain, both athletes have the chance to showcase their talent and establish themselves as key figures in the next generation of U.S. ski racing.This determined group rounds out the North American entries, each bringing unique stories and potential to Gürgl’s challenging slalom race.
North American Women Racing Slalom in Killington
- Bib 9, Paula Moltzan, Stifel USST, University of Vermont, Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, Oakley
- Bib 15, Ali Nullmeyer, ACA, Middlebury College, GMVS, Atomic
- Bib 20, Laurence St-Germain, ACA, University of Vermont, Mont Sainte-Anne
- Bib 29, Amelia Smart, ACA, Windermere, University of Denver, Atomic
- Bib 43, Katie Hensien, Stifel USST, University of Denver, Rowmark Ski Academy, SHRED
- Bib 47, Nina O’Brien, Stifel USST, Burke Mountain Academy
- Bib 52, Elisabeth Bocock, Stifel USST, Rowmark Ski Academy
- Bib 58, Mia Hunt, USA, Winter Sports School, University of Denver, TOKO
- Bib 60, Kiki Alexander, ACA, Sunshine Alpine Racers
How and When to Watch
The first run kicks off at 10 a.m. Eastern and 7 a.m. Pacific, with the second run set for 1 p.m. Eastern and 10 a.m. Pacific.
U.S. audiences can catch the Stifel Killington Cup women’s slalom live or on replay.
Run 1: Watch live on Outside TV and on-demand at Outside+.
Run 2: Stream live on NBC, Peacock, and Outside TV. On-demand replays are available on Peacock and Outside+.
Sports enthusiasts in Canada can watch the World Cup on CBC Sports.
Daily Program and First Run Start List
Click the images to enlarge or download.
First Run Start List
Related story: Mikaela Shiffrin Evacuated After Dramatic Fall in Killington GS as Sara Hector Wins Killington GS Race Review
About the Author: Peter Lange
