Beyond Shiffrin and Vonn: U.S. teammates stepping up in crucial Olympic season

Mikaela Shiffrin may be stealing the spotlight in slalom, and Lindsey Vonn continues to defy time in downhill, but the strength of the U.S. women’s ski team this Olympic season runs far deeper than its two biggest stars.

As the World Cup circuit rolls through Europe with the Milan–Cortina Winter Olympics now just weeks away, American skiers are consistently making their presence felt across multiple disciplines. Their depth was on full display once again Tuesday night in Flachau, Austria, where the United States claimed two podium spots in a single race for the second time in less than a week.

Shiffrin and Minnesota native Paula Moltzan delivered a commanding one-two finish in the women’s night slalom, thrilling a packed crowd at the Griessenkar course. The result reinforced the U.S. team’s dominance in technical events and highlighted how American skiers are peaking at exactly the right time.

“It’s incredibly special to share moments like this with Paula,” Shiffrin said after the race, praising her teammate’s continued rise.

Just days earlier, another American duo had stood on the podium in Austria. At the downhill event in Altenmarkt-Zauchensee, Lindsey Vonn captured victory with a fearless run, while Jacqueline Wiles secured third place, underlining the United States’ strength in speed events as well.

Shiffrin’s latest triumph was a familiar story this season. The reigning slalom queen extended her advantage from the first run and navigated a demanding course that featured several artificial terrain rolls designed to disrupt rhythm and balance. She crossed the line 0.41 seconds ahead of Moltzan, sealing yet another dominant performance.

Austria’s Katharina Truppe delighted the home crowd by finishing third, 0.65 seconds back, while Switzerland’s Camille Rast — one of the few racers to beat Shiffrin this winter — placed fourth. Another American, Nina O’Brien, produced the second-fastest time in the final run, surging up 10 positions to finish 13th overall.

With just one World Cup slalom remaining before the Olympic opening ceremony on February 6, Shiffrin’s form appears nearly untouchable. The Flachau victory marked her 107th career World Cup win, her 70th in slalom, and her sixth triumph at the Austrian venue — numbers that continue to stretch records she already owns.

For Moltzan, the night represented another important step forward. While she is still chasing her first World Cup victory, the second-place finish was the fourth runner-up result of her career and her third podium of the current season. She has steadily narrowed the gap to Shiffrin and continues to build confidence heading into the Games.

“I’m really thankful for the progress I’ve made,” Moltzan said. “Closing the gap to Mikaela has been a major focus for me this year.”

Moltzan’s recent success adds to a résumé that already includes a giant slalom bronze medal at last season’s world championships. Combined with Shiffrin’s consistency, Vonn’s remarkable comeback, and solid contributions from skiers like Wiles and O’Brien, the United States enters the Olympic season with one of the deepest women’s teams in the world.

While individual stars will always draw attention, the broader picture shows a U.S. squad firing on all cylinders. As the countdown to Milan–Cortina continues, American women are not just winning races — they are setting the tone for what could be a historic Olympic campaign.

Heartwarming moment between Lindsey Vonn and her dad: “I’ve never heard him cry like that”

Lindsey Vonn once again reminded the skiing world why her name is etched so deeply into the sport’s history. At 41 years old, the American icon delivered a stunning performance in St. Moritz, winning the opening speed race of the 2024/25 World Cup season and becoming the oldest female winner in World Cup history. Beyond the statistics and records, however, the victory carried powerful emotional weight—especially for Vonn and her family.

Vonn dominated the race, finishing nearly a second ahead of Austrian surprise package Magdalena Egger, with Mirjam Puchner completing the podium more than a second back. The margin underlined just how competitive Vonn still is, even at an age when most elite skiers have long since retired. Speaking immediately after the race, she admitted the day had been overwhelming in the best possible way.

She described feeling immense pride—not only in herself but also in the team that has supported her through years of setbacks, injuries, and doubts. According to Vonn, nothing about the journey back to the top had been easy, which made the moment even sweeter. She said everything finally felt aligned again and made it clear she is fully prepared for the season ahead, including her ultimate goal of competing at the Olympic Games.

One of the most touching moments of the day came after the race, when Vonn spoke by phone with her father, Alan Kildow. The conversation left a deep impression on her. She revealed that he was overcome with emotion, crying harder than she had ever heard before. For Vonn, that reaction made the victory even more meaningful and highlighted how far their relationship has come.

The bond between Vonn and her father has not always been an easy one. Alan Kildow was instrumental in recognizing her talent at a young age and played a major role in shaping her early career. When Lindsey was just 11 years old, the family relocated from Burnsville, Minnesota, to Vail, Colorado, a move designed to give her the best possible environment to develop as a skier. The decision paid off in sporting terms, as Vonn quickly emerged as an exceptional young talent, winning numerous junior races and standing out among her peers.

However, the intensity of that support also created strain. The heavy focus on performance and success placed enormous pressure on Lindsey at a young age. Over time, family tensions grew, and her parents eventually divorced. Vonn has since spoken openly about how difficult that period was, explaining that her father’s strong emphasis on results sometimes made her feel overwhelmed. There were moments when their relationship fractured completely, and communication between them stopped altogether.

It took years for that rift to begin healing. A turning point came around 2011, during Vonn’s separation from her then-husband, Thomas Vonn. During that challenging chapter of her life, she slowly reconnected with her father. What followed was a gradual rebuilding of trust and understanding. With distance and maturity, Vonn has come to reflect on her upbringing with greater balance—recognizing that her father’s dedication made her extraordinary career possible, while also acknowledging the personal cost it sometimes carried.

Today, that relationship appears to be on far steadier ground. The emotional phone call after her St. Moritz victory symbolized not just sporting success, but reconciliation and shared pride. For Vonn, knowing how deeply the moment affected her father added another layer of meaning to an already historic win.

And the weekend may not be over yet. St. Moritz still has more racing to come, with another downhill scheduled for Saturday and a super-G on Sunday. Vonn hinted that she believes there is even more speed to be found, suggesting she could improve on certain sections of the course. While she admitted she hadn’t expected to be quite so fast already, she also issued a subtle warning to her rivals that she may not be done collecting trophies just yet.

At 41, Lindsey Vonn continues to defy expectations—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Her latest victory was not just a triumph of skill and experience, but also a reminder of resilience, reconciliation, and the enduring power of belief.