Who is racing, when and how to watch the super-G in St. Moritz on Friday
This weekend, in St. Moritz, Switzerland, the women are clicking into their speed skis for two super-G races and one downhill. After her stellar win last year on the Corviglia super-G track, Mikaela Shiffrin will go all out to achieve gold again. Shiffrin has won five super-G World Cups in her career, two being in St. Moritz, so she is no stranger to finding the fastest line on this hill.
After her win last season, she stated, “That was the best run I could possibly have.” So, will it be feasible for her to achieve a better run than her performance last year? We will find out.
Shiffrin has six other fast women ranked ahead of her in super-G. Lara Gut-Behrami, the 2022 Olympic super-G winner, won the 2023 World Cup super-G title. Gut-Behrami has stepped onto 33 World Cup super-G podiums throughout her career and has two wins in St. Moritz. Her last victory at the Corviglia race venue was in 2021, so she will be eager to earn gold this weekend on home soil.
Gut-Behrami has already started this season off strong, with back to back GS wins in Sölden and Killington included in her four top-5 finishes. Thus, she aims to take that momentum into her speed events.
Another racer looking to take winning and record breaking momentum from her excellent early-season races is Federica Brignone of Italy. Brignone is riding high with two exciting GS wins in Tremblant last weekend, which earned her the record of the oldest female to win a World Cup GS. Brignone ended last season ranked second in the super-G World Cup standings, but was not too far behind Gut-Behrami. She has 17 super-G WC podiums during her career and one win in St. Moritz.
Elena Curtoni of Italy was barely off Shiffrin’s winning run last season on this hill (+0.12). She will undoubtedly be striving for a win this season in St. Moritz. She told her sponsor, Level Gloves, “I have really good memories from last year’s weekend in St. Moritz because I won a race and was second. So I just want to try to ski as fast as I can and try and repeat those results even if it won’t be easy.”
Previously, Sofia Goggia (ITA) and Romane Miradoli (FRA) have earned spots on the St. Moritz super-G podiums and will be gunning to do it again on Friday.
2022-23 Women’s super-G season’s standings
North American Highlights
Nine North Americans are competing in the St. Moritz super-Gs this weekend. Three racing have scored super-G World Cup points in the 2023 season, including Mikaela Shiffrin (USA), Valérie Grenier (CAN), and Isabella Wright (USA). Valérie Grenier has earned 12 top-25 finishes in World Cup super-G races, including two top-5 performances. GS has been her focus and top discipline, with her first WC win last season in Slovenia. This winter, Grenier is aiming to get onto the super-G leaderboard as well. After shining in Tremblant, her home mountain, she wants to transition onto her long skis and start the speed season strong.
Stifel US Ski Team member Isabella Wright wants to pursue top-15s in super-G. Wright’s best result last year in super-G was 19th-place in St.Anton, Austria. Unfortunately, Wright has not been able to finish a St. Moritz super-G, but she now has gained a valuable understanding of how the St.Moritz race hill skis and seeks to deliver her best this season. Keely Cashman has seven World Cup super-Gs under her belt, with a 36th-place finish as her best result. She looks to achieve a top-30 finish.
The women are excited to attack the season’s first super-G World Cup race. There are a lot of fast women in the field who are looking to prove themselves and win gold. This weekend’s schedule is non-traditional for World Cup events because it will start with a super-G on December 8th, then switch to a downhill on December 9th, and return to another day of super-G on December 10th.
North American Women who scored World Cup super-G points in 2022-2023 racing in St. Moritz
Six US and three Canadians are on the Super-G start list
- Bib 11, Mikaela Shiffrin, Stifel USST, Burke Mountain Academy, Atomic, Oakley
- Bib 29, Valérie Grenier, ACA, Club de Ski Mont Tremblant, Rossignol/LOOK, Level Gloves
- Bib 36, Isabella Wright, Stifel USST, Snowbird Sports Education Foundation, Atomic, Level Gloves
- Bib 40, Stefanie Fleckenstein, Independent, Whistler Mountain Ski Club, University of Colorado, Rossignol, LOOK, Level Gloves, SYNC
- Bib 44, Keely Cashman, Stifel USST, Team Palisades Tahoe, HEAD
- Bib 47, Tricia Mangan, Stifel USST, HoliMont Snowsports, Dartmouth College, HEAD, Level Gloves
- Bib 49, Lauren Macuga, Stifel USST, Park City Ski Team, Winter Sports School, Rossignol, LOOK
- Bib 56, Cassidy Gray, ACA, Team Panorama, Atomic, Level Gloves
About St. Moritz, Switzerland
Nestled in the breathtaking Swiss Alps, St. Moritz is a gem that transcends its reputation as a holiday resort. Serving as the birthplace of Alpine winter tourism in 1864, the town has a rich history that extends beyond winter sports. It proudly boasts the honor of hosting the Winter Olympics twice, adding a touch of global prestige to its alpine charm. Nevertheless, St. Moritz’s initial claim to fame came from its mineral springs, discovered over 3,000 years ago, which established the town as a sought-after summer spa resort.
However, St. Moritz transforms into a ski racing hotspot each year. Hosting the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup for women, the town becomes a buzzing hub of excitement as top athletes and passionate fans converge to experience the thrilling competitions. With a remarkable ski racing legacy, St. Moritz stands out as the only venue to have hosted five Alpine World Ski Championships, solidifying its position as a top destination for winter sports enthusiasts.
Yet, St. Moritz offers more than just slopes and competitions. Amidst the natural beauty, the town exudes glamour and sets the gold standard for accommodation. Beyond catering to sports enthusiasts, St. Moritz is a cultural experience. It boosts Europe’s highest luxury shopping street, various museums and libraries. Easily accessible by road, rail, or air, St. Moritz invites everyone to immerse themselves in the perfect fusion of tradition and modern luxury. It is an unparalleled experience in the heart of the Swiss Alps.
The US has entered six competitors and the Canadians have entered one in the December 8th super-G.
The super-G begins at 1:30 am PST, 2:30 MST and 4:30 am EST.
In the United States, Ski and Snowboard Live offers live streaming of the event and a full replay, with English announcers.
Start list and program for the December 8th St Moritz super-G
Program for St Moritz Super-G December 8th
About the Author: Ellie Hartman
