World Cup Athlete interview

Patrick Kenney’s rise to the World Cup wasn’t linear—but it was relentless. From being cut by the U.S. Ski Team to racing independently in Europe, earning All-American honors at the University of New Hampshire, and building a support network from scratch, Kenney’s journey is a story of grit, gratitude, and belief. Now back on the Stifel U.S. Ski Team, he’s more prepared than ever—and ready for the Olympic season ahead.

Haley Cutler: A World Cup Breakthrough Built on Passion, Grit, and Belief Kvitfjell and the

ChatGPT said: Aleksander Aamodt Kilde is recovering from a complex shoulder surgery that involved transplanting part of his hamstring—and he's already thinking about a return to racing before the 2026 Olympics. While the World Cup Finals play out in Sun Valley, the Norwegian speed star is taking cautious steps back to health in Innsbruck. Here's how he's staying motivated—and what might come next.

Breezy Johnson continued her strong season with a third-place finish in the Kvitfjell downhill, just weeks after capturing World Championship gold in Saalbach. Reflecting on her recent success, Johnson spoke about maintaining momentum, embracing the pressure of being a champion, and the supportive atmosphere within the deep U.S. women’s speed team. With the World Cup Finals approaching, she remains focused on delivering strong performances as she builds on her championship-winning form.

Despite enduring a grueling two-year recovery from devastating leg injuries, Max Franz is back on skis, embracing each step of his comeback with resilience and optimism. Testing his long skis as a forerunner in the women’s speed events at the World Championships, he proved to himself that his return to racing is no longer just a dream. "It was a long, hard road," he admitted, recalling the struggles of rehabilitation and the patience required to rebuild his strength. But each milestone, from conquering jumps to skiing a full downhill run, has reignited his confidence. With cautious optimism, Franz now eyes the ultimate goal—a return to the World Cup circuit—one step at a time.

Fredrik Møller’s remarkable victory on the icy, demanding Stelvio course in Bormio has catapulted him into contention for the super-G World Cup title, trailing leader Marco Odermatt by just five points. In an exclusive interview, the 24-year-old Norwegian reflected on his calm approach, tactical strengths, and the confidence gained from earlier top finishes. As he prepares for the Lauberhorn and Hahnenkamm classics, Møller’s focus remains steady, embodying a blend of skill and mental resilience that signals a bright future on the World Cup circuit.

At 34 years old, Federica Brignone claimed her first-ever World Cup downhill win in St. Anton, becoming the oldest woman to achieve this feat. Swiss rookie Malorie Blanc stunned the field, skiing into second place from bib 46, just 0.07 seconds behind Brignone. Lindsey Vonn, in her highly anticipated return, finished sixth, only 0.58 seconds back, leading a strong U.S. team performance with Lauren Macuga in ninth and Breezy Johnson in 11th.

"Are Skiers Training All Wrong?"

Alpine skiing is at a breaking point. Four severe injuries in Bormio during New Year’s week have reignited debates about the sport’s safety, and Swiss legend Paul Accola isn’t holding back. “Many athletes train incorrectly,” he declared in an interview with Blick.ch. With seven World Cup victories and a reputation for unconventional thinking, Accola is challenging the modern approach to training and youth development, claiming it leaves skiers vulnerable to injuries and unprepared for the unpredictable demands of racing. His bold critiques, grounded in his own storied career, demand attention—and may spark the change alpine skiing desperately needs.

U.S. Ski Team veteran, Jared Goldberg, reflects on his first World Cup podium: “The carrot on the stick has just been moved forward, and now I’m chasing that.”

Julia Scheib’s journey from a small Styrian ski hill to World Cup podiums embodies determination and resilience. After breaking Austria’s five-year giant slalom podium drought with third place in Sölden, Scheib now sets her sights on her home race in Semmering. Reflecting on her career, she acknowledges setbacks like injuries and DNFs but highlights her evolution into a consistent contender through focus and hard work. With ambitious goals, including the giant slalom globe, Scheib’s racing story inspires young skiers to dream big, persevere, and prove doubters wrong—one turn at a time.

At just 22 years old, Lauren Macuga is rapidly emerging as a standout in Alpine skiing. In her third World Cup season, she has already made her mark with three top-10 Super-G finishes last year and a stunning fourth-place result in the downhill at Beaver Creek to kick off this season. Racing on home snow for the first time, Macuga embraced the challenge of the iconic Birds of Prey course, showcasing her precision, aggression, and growing versatility. With her skills progressing at an impressive pace, she’s proving to be a force to watch on the World Cup circuit.

Steven Nyman’s Challenge: “Tie It Up” Steven Nyman’s words of encouragement to his former U.S.

Mikaela Shiffrin is recovering at home in Colorado after surgery for a punctured oblique muscle sustained during a crash at the Killington giant slalom. Reflecting on the fine margins of ski racing, Shiffrin said, “There’s a difference of just a few centimeters between crashing like that or winning a run.”

Birds of Prey Crowd Photo: Meredith Guinan World Cup Speed Stars Weigh In Marco Odermatt

In 2022, Haley Cutler was doing what most of the ski racing world was doing—watching the Beijing Winter Olympics. Among the competitors in the speed events were former peers, women she had either grown up racing with or encountered on the FIS circuit. She was overcome with a revelation: “We’ve all competed against each other before. Why can't we do that again? Why can't I be there with them?”

Racing for the first time on Beaver Creek’s Birds of Prey downhill course, the world’s fastest women know they must enlist every tactical skill in the playbook.

Norwegian champion Aleksander Aamodt Kilde made a surprise appearance at the Beaver Creek World Cup downhill race on Friday, mingling with teammates and fellow racers but in town primarily to spend time with fiancé Mikaela Shiffrin.

With new coaches, new confidence and more GS training, America’s downhillers are ready to race.

It’s been a while since American men have put on a decent show on home snow. This weekend, they hope to change that on the famed Birds of Prey course at Beaver Creek, Colorado.

“The first time I was on Birds of Prey was 2011,” says Ryan Cochran-Siegle. “We’ve had success intermittently, but it would be nice to put forth a stronger effort this season.”