Top Rotator

USCSA Week 2 Recap of racing. Eight conferences successfully hosted several days of racing for men and women.

The 2024 FIS Alpine Junior World Ski Championships opened on January 30 with the men’s and women’s downhill races, held in Châtel, one of 12 resorts in Portes du Soleil, France. While the weather has been warm and sunny at the lower elevations, Châtel features north-facing slopes at the end of a valley, so the track stayed cold and hard for the speed events. 

The 43rd FIS Alpine Junior World Ski Championships kicked off on January 29 with the opening ceremonies in Morzine, France, in the Haute Savoie region

SYNC’s Custom Team sat down with Rebecca Bell, Operations Manager at Franconia Ski Club, to reflect on their partnership with SYNC’s Custom Program over the last five years.

Winning by more than a second in the Giant Slalom in Kronplatz, Lara Gut-Behrami celebrates her 42nd World Cup victory, the eighth in this discipline. The Swiss athlete continues to extend her lead in the Giant Slalom World Cup. Sara Hector also races to the podium in second place. 

By Emma Logan Featured Image: Male racer competing at a McConnell Division race on January 12th.

Sara Hector, Alice Robinson and Lara Gut-Behrami in Kronplatz: GEPA pictures/Matic Klansek Lara Gut-Behrami showcased

In the sport of ski racing, the success of an athlete, especially in their developmental stages, can come down to the aspects that seem less impactful. Subtle differences in training, body development, strength, where the athlete begins on the start list, and several other factors can cause different outcomes. 

Switzerland's Lara Gut-Behrami takes a commanding (+0.59) lead into the afternoon run of Tuesday's Kronplatz ERTA World Cup giant slalom (GS). Skiing with bib five, she used her impressive skills to cross the finish (-0.84) faster than her closest rival for the season's GS title, Italy's Federica Brignone. None of the talented women could come within half a second of her time, but the nearest is New Zealand's Alice Robinson (+0.59). Notably, Robinson's coach, Nils Coberger, set the first run.

In a groundbreaking partnership between the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and On Location, the official hospitality provider for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, a package has been unveiled that gives spectators access to the Team USA House for Paris 2024. 

In alpine skiing, recent disappointments have unfolded as scheduled events face cancelations. In Chamonix, France, and Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany.

Seven GS races have already set the stage for a thrilling Kronplatz race. Lara Gut-Behrami of Switzerland leads the pack with 485 points, closely trailed by Italy's Federica Brignone with 460 points. The gap is a mere 25 points, making every turn on the ERTA slope crucial. Unfortunately, Shiffrin's and Grenier's crashes while racing in Cortina d'Ampezzo will mean they will miss the race in Kronplatz and likely eliminate them from the close battle for the season's GS title.

Rossignol launched the pre-intro of the new 24/25 HERO ST Ti in limited quantities through their website to celebrate Kitzbühel success.

Severe crashes during races over the past month have involved five former World Cup overall ski champions or Olympic gold medalists.

Skiing with bib eight, Marco Odermatt became the first man to earn his second World Cup super-G victory of the season. Odermatt used the harder race surface to push the entire course and cross with the lead. Undoubtedly, the season's super-G leader was determined to avoid missing his second consecutive podium. Yesterday, he ended his streak of 12 straight super-G races, finishing among the fastest three.

In Sunday’s World Cup super-G in Cortina, Italy, the Swiss athlete Lara Gut-Behrami grasped the lead with a technically solid run. It was her 21st super-G victory and third victory on this track.

Gear up for an electrifying showdown in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, as the men's Kandahar World Cup super-G takes center stage on Saturday, January 27th.

Preview: The racers, schedule, and how to watch the Women's World Cup Cortina D'Ampezzo super-G on Sunday, January 28th. Hütter aims to hold onto her title with a victory!