Vermont Welcomes the Fastest Skiers in the World to Killington 2024 Women’s World Cup

Women’s Ski Racing Is Thriving in America

The first major women’s ski racing event in North America took place at Killington over Thanksgiving weekend. After spending two days at the Killington races, I can confidently report that interest in the sport is as strong as ever. The event itself was incredible, drawing a record-breaking crowd of 39,000 over the weekend.

While I’m not a racing expert capable of providing a play-by-play, I can offer an outsider’s insider perspective. With access to both the racers and the venue, I’ve gathered some thoughts—and, naturally, opinions—about the event.

Whenever I critique, I use the “compliment sandwich” approach, tucking the critical points between the positives. So let’s start with what works.

Killington Knows How to Host an Event

The venue is phenomenal. Each year, I’m blown away by Killington’s organizational prowess. Over 350 volunteers helped make the Stifel Killington Cup happen. This year marked the resort’s first major event under its new independent ownership, yet you’d never know there had been a transition.

From efficient parking to smooth security lines, the event ran like a well-oiled machine. Vermonters, typically not fans of large gatherings, turned out in droves, proving this race can bring out the extroverts in our introverted state.

Crowds gathered early at the base of the Superstar Run, where the stands provided clear views of about 75% of the gates in both the giant slalom (GS) and slalom events. Volunteers handed out Killington and USA flag tattoos (along with water to apply them), and the atmosphere was electric.

Young fans, especially, added to the excitement, lining the finish area to score signed bibs, autographed photos, or even a hug from Paula Moltzan, who has a particular love for engaging with young supporters. While the event featured flowing beer, it maintained a family-friendly vibe thanks to live music and upbeat energy.

Falling Is Part of Racing—Let’s Set Athletes Up for Success

Let’s move on to where we can improve the experience for athletes and fans. Crashes are inevitable in ski racing. On good days, they result in only bruises and a “Did Not Finish” (DNF). On tougher days, they involve the red safety “b-netting.” Mikaela Shiffrin’s crash on Saturday was a sobering reminder of this reality.

Before the race, I attended a press conference featuring five members of the U.S. Ski Team. While all the athletes shared thoughtful insights, the session soon shifted to focus solely on Shiffrin. The media’s relentless focus on her 100th win created an almost unbearable pressure, despite her efforts to diffuse it. We are not supporting our athletes with this obsession on manufactured milestones.

When she crashed, it cast a pall over the event. The winners’ podium moments, which should have been celebrated with full-throttle cheers, felt subdued.

Here are the results from the weekend:

2024 Giant Slalom Results
1st: Sara Hector (SWE)
2nd: Zrinka Ljutic (CRO)
3rd: Camille Rast (SUI)

2024 Slalom Results
1st: Camille Rast (SUI)
2nd: Anna Swenn-Larsson (SWE)
3rd: Wendy Holdener (SUI)

How to Grow the Fan Base

Undoubtedly, this race should be viewed as a success. My wish is that it is a launching pad. I want to see this sport grow and thrive in America, and I have a few recommendations:

1. Improve access to ski racing for Americans. Make it easier to find on television and host more races in North America. This really doesn’t need explanation.
2. Include younger voices and more FEMALE voices in the commentary booth and in all the coverage.
3. Focus on the humans: let’s hear more stories, and fewer stats.

We Need Younger Voices

One of my favorite parts of the weekend was seeing young fans. Over 1,000 children from New England ski clubs participated in Saturday’s opening parade, and kids were buzzing around the venue, soaking up the action. Let’s channel that youthful energy into clinics or programming specifically for kids during the weekend.

Additionally, the commentary team needs an overhaul. Two male announcers effectively gave us the play-by-play, but neither fully connected with the athletes or modern audiences. Doug Lewis is a knowledgeable and folksy commentator, but he doesn’t capture the unique pressures female athletes face. It was all rather off-putting.

It’s time to introduce younger, more relatable voices who can speak to issues like mental health and the complexities of being a female athlete today. I recommend Parker Biele as a fresh, insightful addition to the booth. Her athlete interviews at the bottom of the race hill were lively and engaging. She’s an ex-racer and knows these girls as peers. More of this please.

What to Love About World Cup Racing

Speaking of coverage, we need to fix how we talk about these athletes. I’m here for the human-interest stories, not the technical details. Ski racing is a physically and mentally grueling sport, and I deeply respect what these athletes endure. We need to bring in more casual fans to celebrate skiing.

How do we do this? By telling stories.

Ski racing isn’t just about wins and losses; it’s about the stories behind the athletes. What does it take to recover from injury? To achieve a personal best? To be a great teammate?

For me, the thrill lies in celebrating personal bests, comeback stories, and milestones like Federica Brignone becoming the oldest World Cup winner at 34. For example, last year I interviewed Elizabeth Bocock at Tremblant after a tough race. This year, I watched her secure her first World Cup points in GS, finishing 23rd—and doing so with only one ski pole on her second run! That’s a story!

I also cheered for Nina O’Brien, who overcame a devastating crash at the 2022 Beijing Olympics. Two years later, she achieved a personal best with a 6th-place GS finish and shared her inspiring recovery with young racers.

Celebrating America’s Ascendant Team

Let’s end on a high note. Watching these athletes thrive is a privilege. Ski racing showcases women living bold, beautiful lives—competing fearlessly on icy courses in freezing temperatures. Team USA shone this weekend, with all GS athletes qualifying for the second run—a critical step for earning points, sponsorships, and better starting positions. Katie Hensien achieved a top finish, at the event and is on the rise.

In addition to the Team USA athletes, Killington welcomed a college racer, Mia Hunt. Mia skis for the University of Denver and made her World Cup debut in the slalom event on Saturday. Though she didn’t “score” points, she got invaluable experience and will be one to watch. Our pipeline is in good shape.

Let’s Make Sports More Human

You can tell I’m hooked and invested. Fans connect with these human moments, not just statistics or superlatives. By sharing these stories, we can inspire more people to fall in love with ski racing—and ensure the sport continues to thrive. Now let’s try to figure out how to get the Ski Moms to Cortina to cover the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy!

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