Key Highlights
- Mikaela Shiffrin discusses her relationship with Lindsey Vonn and the possibility of competing together at the Olympics.
- Breezy Johnson speaks on her experience as a defending world champion racing tech events.
- Kjersti Moritz expresses excitement about making her World Cup debut in front of family and home support.
- The U.S. women’s Alpine ski team held a press conference prior to upcoming races at the Stifel Copper Cup in Copper Mountain, Colorado.
Press Conference Teases Upcoming Races and Team Dynamics
On Friday night at Copper Mountain, nine members of the U.S. women’s Alpine ski team convened for a press conference, setting the stage for upcoming tech races on Saturday and Sunday as part of the Stifel Copper Cup.
Mikaela Shiffrin Reflects on Vonn’s Return
When asked about her relationship with Lindsey Vonn and whether they could pair up in the team event at the Olympics, Shiffrin responded, “I think anything is possible. It all boils down to basically performance leading up to the Olympics and then the team decides the pairings.” She further praised Vonn’s determination, saying, “She has shown that anything’s actually possible if you put in the hard work and have the right mindset.”
Breezy Johnson on Racing Tech Events
Johnson, who is the defending downhill world champion, shared insights into her approach to racing tech events. She noted, “My first World Cup races were tech races, and I always called myself a tech skier—then I slowly shifted to speed.” Johnson expressed hope that this upcoming race at Sölden would go better than their previous showing there.
Kjersti Moritz’s Excitement for Home Debut
Moritz, making her World Cup debut just 20 minutes from home in Vail, Colorado, spoke about the unique experience. She said, “I always imagined my first World Cup race would be somewhere in Europe, where they don’t speak English and my family can’t really be there, so I’m super excited to start the year where I’ve trained for many years.” Moritz also mentioned that most of her family will be present, along with some childhood coaches, making this a “perfect scenario.”
Team Unity and Expectations
The press conference provided valuable insight into team dynamics and individual ambitions. Shiffrin, who was waiting at the finish line for Aleksander Aamodt Kilde’s early comeback to World Cup racing, also addressed the broader theme of setting expectations. She said, “The point of showing up and putting in the hard work is to set expectations and lofty goals for myself because I love the feeling of surprising myself with what I can do.” Shiffrin emphasized the importance of supporting teammates as well: “In doing so, I think it’s important to lean on your teammates and push them to be the best versions of themselves.”
Team Summit Athletes and Media Engagement
The press conference brought together members of the U.S. women’s Alpine ski team with Team Summit athletes and media from Copper Mountain. The event highlighted the importance of engaging with local communities and leveraging hometown support to boost performance.
Meanwhile, Lauren Macuga’s season-ending injury on Friday was met with concern by her teammates. Tricia Mangan noted, “She is such a hard worker and such a light on our team, so we will certainly miss her but are already excited for her to be back.”
The U.S. women’s Alpine ski team’s upcoming races at the Stifel Copper Cup in Copper Mountain, Colorado, are set for Saturday and Sunday. These events represent an exciting chapter as the season begins with high hopes and local support.
