Levi Finish area GEPA pictures/Harald Steiner

As the excitement builds for the upcoming Levi World Cup slaloms, the Stifel US Ski Team’s journey is marked by resilience. Despite facing significant setbacks, the team’s spirit remains high. They are looking forward to the first slaloms of the season on November 11th and 12th.

During the preparation period, the Stifel US Ski Team women’s SL/GS team faced significant setbacks. Three of their most talented women suffered season-ending injuries. In spring, 23-year-old Katie Hensien, fresh off her career-best season scoring World Cup points in slalom and giant slalom, suffered a setback due to injury. Next, the rising star Ava Sunshine, 21, who had earned points in her first two career World Cup slaloms last season in Levi, faced a similar fate. Then, an injury struck the established US star Nina O’Brien, 25, who had been working hard and had regained her top form after an injury during the Beijing Olympics in 2023. Both Sunshine and O’Brien were injured at the end of their camp in New Zealand, just one day apart from each other. These unfortunate events posed significant challenges for the team’s 2023 success.

However, the Stifel US Ski Team has a strong lineup of talented women in Levi. Everyone anticipates watching defending champion Mikaela Shiffrin, but she’s not alone in the podium competition. Stifel US Ski Team star Paula Moltzan, 29, secured her first podium last season and ended the season 7th in the World Cup SL rankings. AJ Hurt, known for her GS skills, has recently shown she is ready to compete in slalom. Also, watch Stifel USST’s Zoe Zimmermann, 21, and independent racer Lila Lapanja, who qualified in the 2020 Levi race. Plus, we’ll see the World Cup debut of promising talent Dasha Romanov.

Head Coach Magnus Anderrson

In a recent interview, the head coach of the Stifel US Ski Team shared his thoughts on the upcoming competition in Levi. He is optimistic about the team’s current state. He said, “The team is good despite losing three good slalom skiers who are on track.” The coach attributed their positive outlook to the close work and communication they’ve maintained with their Development (Devo) team. He emphasized the team’s resilience, saying, “We feel we have a strong team anyway and a little bit of a new team dynamic but great attitude in this ‘new’ team.”

The coach commended the athletes for their dedication and hard work, noting that everyone has been showcasing their best skiing, giving them a good chance to achieve their goals. Reflecting on their preparation, he highlighted their valuable training time on the race hill in Levi, stating, “We got five days on the race hill in Levi, so hard to beat that.” This extensive training period undoubtedly bolstered their confidence and readiness for the competition.

Regarding the new additions to the team, the coach is excited to include Romanov, saying, “Dasha qualified through team criteria, so it was an easy decision.” He praised her fundamental skills and positive attitude, highlighting her continuous learning and improvement. Despite the challenges posed by the absence of the three athletes, the coach is optimistic about the team’s performance. He mentioned, “I feel they have been stepping up; it will be fun to watch them.” He specifically mentioned AJ Hurt and Zoe Zimmermann and is confident in their abilities and predicting good results, saying, “I think Hurt and Zimmermann will have a good chance of doing their personal best here in Levi as they have one more year of experience…and they seem happy.”

Snow Conditions on the Race Hill

Additionally, the coach discussed the watered snow conditions on the Levi race hill. He noted the changes in grip due to snowfall and cold temperatures, which may present challenges for the athletes. Despite the uncertainties, the coach’s positive outlook and trust in the team’s abilities have set an encouraging tone in the competitions in Levi.

The Stifel US Ski Team faces challenges head-on, demonstrating their determination. Despite setbacks, their optimism remains high. Prepare for an electrifying US performance in Levi as they attack the race courses with skill and grit.