American Paula Moltzan reaches for the finish after a suspenseful run with one huge save. Able to fend off a crash, Moltzan powered through and earned a new personal best in the GS. The Vermont-based racer was a fan favorite for the crowd.

If the East Coast claims bragging rights to anything, it’s ski racing. From Maine to Massachusetts, race teams, clubs and academies dot the landscape. Spend a day skiing in the region, and you’re sure to find flocks of kids running gates in their matching race jackets. Pair this with perpetually icy conditions—perfect for mastering edge craft—and it’s no surprise that many elite racers have ties to the region. Mikaela Shiffrin—the winningest ski racer ever—honed her craft at the legendary Burke Mountain Academy (BMA). Fellow U.S. Ski Team members Paula Moltzan, a University of Vermont alum, and Nina O’Brien, another BMA grad, also trace their roots to these frozen hills—and that’s just scratching the surface.

There are only three U.S. stops in the 2024/25 FIS Alpine Ski World Cup circuit, compared to the 30 plus scattered throughout Europe. One of those events is the Stifel Killington Cup at Killington, VT, the only World Cup race held in the Northeast, featuring the women’s technical events. In 2016, it was added back into the circuit after a 25-year hiatus, and the New England community has cherished its return ever since. Every year, the Women’s Giant Slalom and Slalom races draw a crowd of about 40,000 spectators, making it a fan favorite for New Englanders and racers alike. Even Canadian and European racers—like Sara Hector—who race at this venue comment on the passion and love of the local fans.

As a recent transplant to Massachusetts from out west, attending the Stifel Killington Cup quickly rose to the top of my winter bucket list. Not only to watch the world’s best fly down a glacially frozen slope at mind-bending speeds but to see this region get the credit it deserves. Ski racing is part of New England’s DNA, and its passion was loud and present this weekend. Heading into the 2024 event, Shiffrin was on the brink of her 100th World Cup win, a milestone she could achieve on home soil. It created a contagious buzz throughout the venue—fans came out in full force with signs, cowbells and giant American flags. Ski racing fan or not, it was undeniable that history could unfold. 

The roar when Shiffrin dropped in for her first run was a major highlight of the entire weekend. As she crested the final gates in the course, the crowd went berserk. Twenty-one thousand fans, all in unison, cheered at max volume. While Shiffrin ultimately crashed out in her second run—and is thankfully okay despite an injury to her abdomen—watching her, Team USA, and the rest of the field was incredible. Another unforgettable moment was Moltzan’s recovery from losing the pressure on her ski and nearly doing the splits in her GS run, leaving us all on the edge of our seats. Recomposing quickly, Moltzan kept fighting to take the lead and earn her personal best finish for the event. It had everything you’d want from a good ski race: suspense, massive saves and athletes leaving it all on the slope.

Day 1: Giant Slalom

Ski clubs from throughout New England were proud to cheer on Team USA.

Mikaela Shiffrin before heading up to the start of the GS race. All eyes were on the skiing superstar as the skier vied for her 100th win at the home race.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT

18-year-old Lara Colturi, racing for Albania, is one of the up-and-coming racers to watch.

Past and present Burke Mountain Academy members were particularly thrilled to cheer on alums Mikaela Shiffrin and Nina O’Brien.

Shiffrin has undoubtedly added her name to the list of the sport’s GOATS.

Louise Stjernesund arcs through the course.

Among 21,000 roaring spectators, Mikaela put down a stunning first run that held the top spot until run two. In run two, Shiffrin looked poised to take her first-ever win at the GS in Killington but ultimately crashed out. When Shiffrin crashed, the crowd went from pandemonium to complete silence, as if someone had unplugged the speakers. The concern for Shiffrin was palpable—thankfully she is okay despite an injury to her abdomen.

Clockwise from Top

An elated O’Brien waves to the crowd after a stellar first run.

Snow blankets the course midway through the first run as a racer weaves through the gates. The conditions were ever-changing, and the flat light did not help with the glacier-like conditions. 

American Paula Moltzan had a strong performance in both her runs, skiing into the finish line with family and friends cheering below.

Lara Colturi finished 9th in the race.

Canadian Cassidy Gray navigates through the lower section of the course.

LEFT TO RIGHT

A young spectator is lifted higher for a better vantage point. The audience was full of young girls excited to watch their heroes in real time on the slopes.

Nina O’Brien closes in on the finish after an incredible 2nd run. In 2022, O’Brien broke her leg at the 2022 Olympics then re-broke her leg in 2023. On Saturday, she finished with a personal best in 6th, a testament to her hard work and recovery.

Sweden’s Sara Hector takes the coveted win for the Giant Slalom. 

Sweden’s Sara Hector won her first World Cup win of the Season, followed by Croatia’s Zrinka Ljutic in second and Camille Rast of Switzerland in third.

Day 2: Slalom

Zrinka Ljutic opened the Slalom for day two of the event. 

Clockwise from top left

No shortage of Team USA and Mikaela Shiffrin fans in the crowd.

Nina O’Brien takes a moment to visualize the course after inspection.

Austria’s Katharina Liensberger flies in the finish area.

Switzerland’s Michelle Gisin leaves it all on the course.

Paula Moltzan’s weekend in Vermont ended on a bittersweet note. Trying to fight back into a top spot on run two, the American crashed and dislocated her shoulder.

LEFT TO RIGHT

The stands packed with spectators. 

A racer weaves through the course full of twists and turns. 

Germany’s Emma Aicher reacts to learning that she made the cut for run two.

LEFT TO RIGHT

Nina O’Brien makes her way through the gates.

Germany’s Jessica Hilzinger looks for her ranking after run one.

Clockwise from top left

Flags from around the world were waved proudly by fans who came to Vermont, like Andreja Slokar’s fans from Slovenia.

Italy’s Martina Peterlini in anguish after messing up on the last gate on what was looking like a podium-worthy run. 

Switzerland’s Wendy Holdener tied for 2nd with Sweden’s Anna Swenn Larsson.

A racer crests the second half of the icy Superstar trail, measuring 4,800 feet long and dropping 1,200 vertical feet. Switzerland’s Wendy Holdener tied for 2nd with Sweden’s Anna Swenn Larsson.

Switzerland’s Camille Rast won the race, earning her first-ever World Cup win. Before this season, Rast had never been on a World Cup podium and is already having a spectacular year. 

Anna Swenn Larsson tied for second, fighting all the way to the last gate.

With Mikaela Shiffrin out from injury, the Swiss and Swedes prevailed on the podium.