Athlete Profiles

The FIS Alpine Ski World Cup returns to Sestriere for the second of back-to-back giant slalom races, with Alice Robinson, Sara Hector, and Federica Brignone locked in a tight battle for the Crystal Globe. With only three GS races remaining after this event, every point is crucial. Thea Louise Stjernesund surged into the top four after her third-place finish in Sestriere Race 1, while North American contenders like Paula Moltzan and Valérie Grenier look to climb the standings. Expect another high-intensity showdown on one of Italy’s most historic courses.

Mikaela Shiffrin returns to World Cup giant slalom competition in Sestriere, Italy, joining newly crowned World Champion Federica Brignone, silver medalist Alice Robinson, and bronze medalist Paula Moltzan in a highly anticipated showdown. With four GS races left, the battle for the Crystal Globe remains intense, as Robinson and Sara Hector lead the standings. The United States, Switzerland, and Italy continue to dominate the Nations Cup, while rising stars Lara Colturi, Zrinka Ljutić, and Robinson push the sport’s next generation forward.

Zrinka Ljutić is gearing up for the Saalbach 2025 World Championships after a breakout World Cup season. With multiple slalom victories and growing confidence, Croatia’s rising star is ready to take on the world’s best. Can she turn her momentum into championship success?

Jack Crawford and Cameron Alexander are heading into the 2025 FIS Alpine World Championships with confidence after sharing the podium in Kitzbühel. Their recent success has reignited Canadian ski racing’s legacy, drawing comparisons to past greats. As Crawford defends his super-G world title and Alexander eyes another downhill podium, both are focused on consistency and delivering on the sport’s biggest stage.

Josef “Pepi” Stiegler, born in 1937 in Lienz, Austria, became one of the most iconic figures in ski racing. Growing up in the Osttirol region of Austria, his skiing journey began simply. Still, it led him to the sport's highest peaks, winning three Olympic medals and establishing an inspiring legacy.

Jevin Palmquist is a name that stands out in the alpine skiing and hockey communities. At just 17, Jevin has achieved remarkable milestones in his athletic career. This year, he is the only male rookie skier named to the Stifel US Ski Team. Moreover, Palmquist is ranked the number one slalom skier worldwide for his 2007 birth year and 153 in slalom, including all FIS ages.

This season, Paige Dehart was welcomed onto the Stifel US Ski Team as the new and only female rookie! Learn more about her passion and grit that got her to this accomplishment.

Ryding believed the 2023-24 season would be his last. He shares his thought process: "I always saw the 2023-24 season as a fitting finale. After the last Olympics, each year felt like a bonus. But something changed last season. The results continued and the fire in me didn't go out."

Johannes Strolz began his skiing journey with a lot of free play. He fondly recalls, "My early experiences with skiing were just playing around, hanging out with friends, doing a lot of free skiing, jumping and skiing beside the groomed slopes." His goal to become a professional athlete emerged much later, around 13. Until then, it was all about fun and enjoyment.

Italian Federica Brignone, who turned 34 on July 14th, is among the most successful and longest-serving active female skiers. Despite it being summer, many national teams are taking advantage of the good snow conditions on European glaciers. Ski Racing Media asked Brignone if she is also skiing this summer.

"For me, summer is for doing summer things, not winter things. I skied until mid-April. We had a great speed camp with the men's team in Santa Caterina. I also participated in Alpine Park, an exhibition slalom format hosted by Clément Noël; it was fun.

Croatian Ivica Kostelić’s journey in skiing began at a very young age in an unlikely place: Macedonia. "I started skiing in Macedonia when I was three years old because my dad was a handball coach there," Ivica recalls. However, his ski racing career didn't begin until he joined Zagreb Ski Club, where his dad was a coach, at seven. "My dad took over my training when I was ten, and that’s when our family program started," he says.

June 30th, The ski world is celebrating a new couple: Greek skier AJ Ginnis (29) and Austrian ski crosser Christina Födermayr (23). AJ Ginnis, a former US Ski Team member, has found success since starting to ski for his native country of Greece. Last season, he won the men's slalom silver at the 2023 World Championship.

Marc Girardelli, born on July 18, 1963, in Lustenau, Austria, defied the odds to become one of the greatest alpine ski racers ever. Although he grew up in a relatively flat town, Lustenau lies within sight of the Vorarlberg Alps. Girardelli's passion and determination fueled his rise to the pinnacle of the sport. His career is a unique story marked by resilience, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

GEPA pictures/ Mathias Mandl James “Jack” Crawford once scored a game-winning goal assisted by National

In an exclusive interview with Ski Racing Media, Stifel U.S. Ski Team member Sam Morse sheds light on the influence of past success on his mindset approaching the Val Gardena/Gröden series. “Success on a track means you've definitely figured out a few sections, dialed in the race line and your plan,” Morse shares. This familiarity instills a sense of confidence that lets him push the limits, a stark contrast to approaching a track where success has been elusive.

Idependent SYNC Team athlete Simon Fournier is entering his next chapter as a ski racer in new situation, with a university degree in hand. Notably, he kicked off the 2023-24 season with a victory in the Beaver Creek, Birds of Prey NorAm giant slalom.

It’s a serious step to add downhill to one’s repertoire. Still, for Radamus, who lives in nearby Edwards and grew up racing with Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, it seemed only appropriate for the World Cup’s one-stop at his home hill to be the place for his inaugural downhill race. However, with both downhill races canceled at Beaver Creek due to the weekend's inclement weather, River Radamus’ World Cup downhill debut will have to wait.

Luke Winters leads the Stifel US Ski Team's men's slalom program, boasting the most experience and achievements among its current members. Over the past three seasons, Winters, alongside his close friends and teammates Jett Seymour and Ben Ritchie, has formed the core of the men's slalom team.