Paula Moltzan Gears Up for Home Race at Stifel Killington Cup
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Peter Lange
GEPA-pictures-Mathias-Mandl & GEPA-pictures-Harald-Steiner
As the Stifel Killington Cup approaches, Paula Moltzan, a shining star in international Alpine ski racing, gears up for a thrilling weekend on home slopes. Moltzan, a seasoned technical event skier, eagerly anticipates the home crowd’s cheers as she prepares to take on both the giant slalom on Saturday and the slalom on Sunday.
Moltzan’s excitement to race near home
For Moltzan, racing on home turf isn’t just another competition – it’s a burst of excitement and a surge of pride. When asked about the impact of racing at home, Moltzan exclaims, “It makes me more excited. Being American in Killington is amazing because we see and feel all the great fans cheering extra loud for us.”
The joy of racing at home for Paula Moltzan goes beyond the thrill of competition. She underlines the connection she experiences racing on home soil: “It’s nice to have the opportunity for my family to come and watch me race much closer than Europe. I’ll have plenty of Ryan’s – who is her husband and dedicated ski serviceman – family, and plenty of my family in Killington this weekend cheering me on.” It is special to share the holiday with them and also a weekend of great ski racing.”
Yet, with the cheers and support come unique challenges. Paula candidly admits, “There are challenges of racing at home. I think we unintentionally put more pressure on ourselves at home, the pressure to perform and show our best skills to the home crowd. Athletes can be very fast while training, but it’s hard to always translate that training speed into race speed.”
Moltzan sheds light on the additional pressures, acknowledging the expectations from fans: “Plus, you have all these great fans that just want the Americans to do well, and although they don’t try to put more pressure on you, you put more pressure on yourself. You want to be able to show America how great American ski racers are.”
Stifel Killington Cup Staff
Shifting the focus to the Killington race, a highlight of Moltzan’s skiing journey, she begins with a tribute to the unsung heroes, saying, “The Killington Mountain snowmaking team is probably one of the best in the world.” Moltzan marvels at their resilience, stating, “If you looked at the radar or the webcam seven to ten days ago, you’d have thought, there’s no chance they’re holding a ski race.”
And yet, every year, like clockwork, they pull it off. Moltzan applauds the snowmakers and the organizers, noting, “They can just pull it off every year with an incredible aura and energy. They do it with a smile on their face. They never complain.”
As for the crowd, Moltzan’s enthusiasm is contagious, “When you hear them in the start gate, it’s a pretty special feeling because you know that although they are great at cheering for every country, they’re really good at cheering for the Americans.”
In Moltzan’s world, racing at home is not just a challenge; it’s a celebration of skill, family, and the undeniable thrill of showcasing the best American ski racing in America.
The Stifel Killington Cup is supported by a team of 250+ volunteers, known as the Beast Crew, representing 14 separate volunteer teams. The deadline has passed to apply to volunteer for the 2023 Stifel Killington Cup. However, if you would like to be on the distribution list for applicant information for the next Killington Cup, please email Volunteers@Killington.com with your request. New applicant information will be distributed in late September.
2023 Evolution of the Stifel Killington Cup Superstar race arena.
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