2023-24 World Cup Slalom Season Unveiled

Mikaela Shiffrin and Marco Schwarz GEPA photos

As the snow falls and the gates drop, the pulse of excitement quickens for both men and women in the 2023-24 World Cup Slalom season. From Levi, Finland, to Madonna di Campiglio, Italy, the slopes have witnessed fierce battles, unexpected twists, and the rise of formidable contenders.

Women’s World Cup slalom season review

As the Women’s World Cup Slalom season charges forward, the battle between the skiing titans, Petra Vlhová and Mikaela Shiffrin, is captivating. The competition is heating up, with five races in the rearview mirror, and the drama unfolds on the slopes.

The season kicked off in Levi, Finland, where Vlhová claimed victory in the first race, leaving Shiffrin in a surprising fourth place. The tables turned in the second Levi race when Vlhová skied out of the course after dominating the first run, paving the way for Shiffrin to seize the win.

The third showdown occurred in Killington, Vermont, with Shiffrin reclaiming her dominance, securing the top spot and relegating Vlhová to second place. Courchevel, France, hosted a thrilling night race just before Christmas. Shiffrin led after the first run but was overtaken by Vlhová in the finale, adding another layer of intensity to their rivalry.

Lienz, Austria, witnessed the last battle before the New Year break, and once again, Shiffrin emerged victorious. However, Vlhová faced a challenge, finishing fifth place and missing the podium.

With six races left in the schedule, the quest for the 2023-24 slalom title promises more twists and turns. Mikaela Shiffrin, a powerhouse in the Stifel US Ski Team, boasts an impressive career with 56 World Cup slalom victories, making her a force to be reckoned with.

While Shiffrin and Vlhová command the top spots, Germany’s Lena Duerr maintains a consistent presence in third place, outpacing Swiss veteran Michele Gisin. Duerr, lacking the speed to challenge the frontrunners, remains a formidable contender in the season.

Other notable North Americans

North American women are making their mark in the slalom discipline this season. Canada’s Ali Null Meyer, a Middlebury College graduate, stands strong in sixth place, consistently finishing inside the top 15. Paula Moltzan, a former University of Vermont Catamount from the Stifel US Ski Team, holds 13th, showcasing resilience with top 10 finishes in Courchevel and Killington.

Laurence St Germain, an All-American from the University of Vermont and the reigning World Championship Slalom winner from Canada, faced setbacks with an ankle injury after a promising 2nd race in Levi. Despite missing the last two races, she holds the 20th spot for the season.

University of Denver All-American Amelia Smart from Alpine Canada Alpin, currently ranked 33rd, rallied with a stunning Lienz 14th-place finish, injecting fresh momentum into her season after a slower-than-expected season start. Stifel US Ski Team’s AJ Hurt is also proving her world-class speed, clinching a 25th place in Courchevel.

The Stifel US Ski Team is second to Austria in the women’s Slalom Nations Cup standings.

The Women’s World Cup Slalom 2023-24 is shaping up to be a thrilling battle, where every turn and every race brings new challenges and triumphs. As the season progresses, the skiing world eagerly awaits the unfolding drama on the slopes.

Click on images to enlarge.

The next Women’s World Cup slalom is scheduled for January 7th in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia.

Men’s World Cup slalom season review

The pulse of the men’s World Cup Slalom season quickens come January, hurtling toward an exhilarating climax that includes two thrilling races in the US – one in Palisades Tahoe and another in Aspen.

Two men’s slaloms have already seen completion, with ten more eagerly anticipated.

The season kicked off in Gurgl, Austria, where the home team’s dominance electrified the podium. However, the Val d’Isere SL in France faced cancellation due to severe weather. Yet, the night race in Madonna di Campiglio was a spectacular success, a pre-Christmas gift for ski racing enthusiasts in Italy.

The season brought two seismic changes: Norwegian Lucas Braathen, last season’s slalom title winner, announced his retirement from the World Cup at 23, citing irreconcilable differences with the Norwegian Federation.

Adding to the drama, Austrian Marco Schwarz, the season’s slalom leader, suffered a knee injury during the Bormio downhill race, closing the curtain on his competitive season. Schwarz, a rare four-event skier, showcased his prowess with 2nd and 1st place in the first two slaloms. His absence reshuffles the deck, propelling Austrian teammate Manuel Feller into the top spot among those still seeking slalom glory, 35 points ahead of Britain’s Dave Ryding.

Feller’s early triumph in Gurgl, Austria, and a respectable 5th place in Madonna di Campiglio, Italy, showcase his talent as the new title contender. However, there’s a lot of ski racing left in the season.

North American Frustration

On the North American front, the 2024 Slalom season started at a slower pace. Alpine Canada’s Erik Read was the sole athlete to score in the first two races. Despite a stumble in Gurgl, failing to qualify for the second run, Read rebounded in Madonna di Campiglio, finishing 25th.

The Stifel US Ski Team has faced a challenging season. Luke Winters, historically the USA’s top active slalom skier with three career top-ten results, and teammate Jett Seymour, who secured 7th place in Chamonix, France, last season, have yet to find their rhythm.

In recent history, North American men’s Slalom has been the weakest discipline for the continent. Last season, no North American male skiers qualified for the World Cup finals in Slalom. Alpine Canada Alpin and the Stifel US Ski Team, both boasting talented slalom skiers, persist in their efforts to crack the code.

As the season unfolds, the North Americans remain hopeful, aiming to find their speed over the holidays and conquer the slalom challenges awaiting in the races to come.

The next men’s World Cup slalom is scheduled for January 7th in Adelboden, Switzerland.

As the World Cup season progresses, the drama on the slopes continues to captivate fans worldwide. Whether it’s Mikaela Shiffrin and Petra Vlhová dominating the women’s circuit or the Austrian powerhouse Manuel Feller leading the charge for the men, every race brings a fresh chapter of excitement and challenge. Stay tuned for the exhilarating conclusion of the 2023-24 World Cup Slalom season, where triumphs and setbacks weave the tapestry of an unforgettable winter sports spectacle.