SR Staff Report
Ski Racing Media is excited to follow independent World Cup ski racers this year. These two talented independent athletes already have impressive resumes that they are working to build upon in the upcoming season. In the following profiles, each woman wrote her introduction. Now, without further ado, Ski Racing Media would like to introduce Tricia Mangan and Stef Fleckenstein.
Tricia Mangan
Born: Buffalo NY USA
School: Dartmouth College
Events: GS, SG, DH, Combined
Career Highlights: 2018 and 2022 Olympian, 11th place AC Beijing Winter Olympics, 26 World Cup starts, 2nd place 2022 World Pro Ski Tour Super Slalom Championships, 19th place Lenzerheide World Cup AC
Fun Fact: I’m slightly allergic to mangos, but they’re still my favorite fruit. I love asking questions, doing things that make me scared, and learning new things. Passionate about going fast!
Social Media: tricia_mangan
Tricia Mangan Substack
More about Tricia:
Growing up in Buffalo NY with five siblings, I took an alternative path to the US Ski Team. I was a chaotic skier from a tiny mountain in Western New York and only able to train a couple times a week. I always knew my path made me the underdog and this mindset fueled my passion for always improving on and off the hill.
As I continued my pursuit of my World Cup and Olympic dreams, I didn’t take the conventional path of foregoing school. Instead, I continued pursuing my studies at Dartmouth College while competing internationally. This feat was challenging, but it allowed me to grow tremendously as I was forced to figure out and then prioritize what was really important to me and focus on efficiency and hard work.
When looking at my results to date, I am most proud of my commitment, passion and individuality. As I continue my career on the World Cup, I hope to inspire others to step out of tradition and find new ways to create their own speed in ski racing and life.
Stefanie Fleckenstein
Born: Vancouver, BC, CAN
Hometown/club: Whistler, BC, Whistler Mountain Ski Club
School: CU Boulder
Events: DH, SG, GS, SL, AC
Career highlights: 14 World Cup starts, 3x World Junior Championship competitor, World Junior Champion in Team Event – 2017 – Are, Sweden, 2-Time Canadian National DH Champion -2017, 2022, 3-time NorAm DH title winner, 1-time NorAm SG title winner, World Pro Ski Tour GS World Champion 2022, World Pro Ski Tour SL World Championships 3rd place 2022
Fun Fact: I’ve performed the Ukulele in front of the Lake Louis bib draw, I love water sports but I’m terrified of the creatures in the water, I love spending time with my family and still get homesick even as a 24 year old
Social media:
Instagram: stef_fleck
TikTok: stef_fleck
Youtube: Stef Fleck
Website: https://www.steffleckenstein.com/
Podcast: https://bleav.com/shows/send-it-with-stef-fleckenstein/
More about Stef:
My name is Stefanie Fleckenstein (Stef Fleck), and I am a 24-year-old alpine ski racer from Whistler, BC. My ski racing journey began when I was just two years old and at the age of 12, I attended my first Olympics… as a spectator. The 2010 Whistler Olympics sparked my Olympic dream and for the past 12 years I have pushed myself to achieve that dream.
I first made the Canadian National Team at the age of 18 and after two years of competing for the National Team full-time, an injury in my leg put my journey on pause. While I was rehabbing, I decided to start my college education at the University of Colorado Boulder, where I had the opportunity to race on CU’s NCAA, D1 Ski Team. My academics pushed me in a way that I hadn’t previously experienced. Even though I loved having the opportunity to race while doing school, I missed pursuing my ski racing goals full-time.
This past season I competed part-time in Europe on the World Cup speed circuit, as well as on the North American NorAm circuit. I was pushed to my limits, having to time-trial for every World Cup opportunity. Through this, I gained valuable experience and realized I was able to compete with the best in the world. During my time racing in North America I was able to win the Downhill NorAm title, place second in the Super-G NorAm title, and secure second in the NorAm Overall. These results have secured me a full-time World Cup position for next season and I am incredibly excited to put my newfound experience to the test.
Look out for updates regarding Trisha and Steph’s upcoming season!
