Paula Moltzan Photo: Ryan Mooney

With the 2024-25 FIS Alpine Ski World Cup just days away, Paula Moltzan is charging into the new season with focus and determination. A veteran of the Stifel U.S. Ski Team and a rising star in slalom (SL) and giant slalom (GS), Moltzan fully embraces the season’s challenges. The early races kick off in Sölden, Austria, followed by stops in Levi, Finland; Gurgl, Austria; Killington, Vermont; and Tremblant, Canada. These seven tech races will test her skills, ability to travel internationally, and endurance from the start.

Born and raised in Minnesota, Moltzan developed her skiing at Buck Hill under the legendary coach Eric Sailer.

Now, Moltzan lives in Waitsfield, Vermont, where she trains at the Green Mountain Valley School (GMVS). With top-tier facilities and a supportive environment, she spent the summer building her physical strength and honing her skills. “Moving to Vermont has been great. I’ve been working out at the GMVS gym all summer, and I feel stronger than ever,” she said.

A Smarter, Stronger Athlete

As Moltzan prepares for her 11th World Cup season, she reflects on the changes in her approach to training and competition. “You get smarter with age,” she noted. “When you’re younger, you can get away with pushing through everything, but I’ve learned how to listen to my body and adjust my training as needed.” At 30, she is more experienced, stronger, and healthier than ever. “My body feels amazing. I’ve figured out how to manage little issues before they turn into bigger problems, and that’s made a huge difference.”

Moltzan completed a successful training block this season in New Zealand, followed by an extended indoor stint in Belgium. With the early World Cup races looming, she’s been training at Sölden, where the U.S. women’s tech team has had access to valuable race-hill time. “We’ve had a few days on the race hill at Sölden, and it’s been warm, but I’m feeling ready,” Moltzan said. She approaches each training session with a laser focus on the details that make a difference in racing: “The key at Sölden is managing speed on the flat sections and pushing hard through the transitions.”

The Drive to Excel in Giant Slalom

Moltzan’s rise in GS over the past few seasons has been impressive. Known for her slalom success, she now excels as a world-class GS skier, holding 11th place on the World Cup Start List. “I’ve always been strong in GS, but I think people overlooked it because of my slalom results,” she explained.

Her improvement in GS stems from the support and challenge of her U.S. teammates, especially AJ Hurt and Nina O’Brien. “Those two have pushed me so much in GS,” Moltzan said. “We spend so many days training together, and their drive to improve has pushed me to step up my game as well.” The fierce competition among teammates fosters a unique blend of camaraderie and rivalry, which keeps the team performing at its peak. “We’re all good friends off the hill, but when it’s time to train or race, we push each other to be the best.”

Tackling the Early World Cup Races

The early part of the 2024-25 season includes a series of tech races that will demand Moltzan’s best. The season opens with a GS in Sölden, followed by a slalom in Levi, another in Gurgl, and then a slalom and GS at Killington, Vermont. Two GS races in Tremblant, Canada, conclude the early stretch of slalom and giant slalom competition.

“The travel and intensity of these early races can be tough,” Moltzan admitted, “but I’m ready to take it on.” Her goal is simple: build on her consistent performances over the past few seasons while pushing for even more speed. “I’ve had a few successful seasons in a row, so now it’s about finding more speed in places where I’ve struggled and staying consistent throughout the year.”

Moltzan knows that every race counts, especially at the elite level, where even a single DNF (did not finish) can affect overall rankings. “I had a few DNFs last season that really hurt my overall.”

New Leadership, Same Drive

This season brings changes for the Stifel U.S. women’s World Cup tech team, with Rudi Soulard stepping in as head coach. After working under Magnus Andersson, Soulard has brought a fresh perspective to the team while maintaining a sense of continuity. “Rudi’s transition has been really smooth. He’s calm and supportive and great at listening to us as athletes,” Moltzan said.

That support is crucial for a team of veterans and rising stars alike. “Rudy really understands what we need as individuals, which makes a big difference. He’s not as intense as some coaches, which helps keep things balanced, especially during long stretches on the road.”

Ready for the 2024-25 Season

With the season opener in Sölden just days away, Moltzan feels confident and excited about what lies ahead. “I’m ready to push hard out of the start gate and see what happens. We’ve had great training sessions, and I’m excited to see how it all comes together.”

The camaraderie within the U.S. team, Rudi Soulard’s structured leadership, and Moltzan’s smart approach to training all point toward a promising season. Her journey from the icy slopes of Buck Hill to the world’s biggest ski racing stages continues, and with each race, she’s proving that hard work, smart training, and strong teamwork pay off.

The 2024-25 season will test her limits, but Moltzan is ready to meet those challenges head-on. As she prepares to race in Sölden, Levi, and beyond, one thing is clear: Paula Moltzan is just getting started.