World Cup Finals in Sun Valley: Shiffrin and Team USA Gear Up for Olympic Push
The pristine slopes of Sun Valley, Idaho, are set to host the grand finale of the World Cup skiing season, where Mikaela Shiffrin and the world’s elite skiers will converge for the World Cup finals. While the season-long titles hang in the balance, this event holds a special significance for the American contingent, as it marks a crucial stepping stone towards the upcoming Milan-Cortina Olympics. The finals, kicking off Saturday and running through March 27, provide a platform for the U.S. team to showcase its strength and solidify its position as a formidable force on the international stage.
For Shiffrin, the finals represent an opportunity to cap off a season marked by both triumph and adversity. After a challenging setback due to a crash earlier in the season, she has bounced back with remarkable resilience, claiming her 100th World Cup win in slalom. As the slalom final approaches next Thursday, Shiffrin stands as a strong favorite, eager to add another victory to her impressive record. However, the giant slalom discipline has presented a greater hurdle, with Shiffrin candidly acknowledging the psychological impact of her previous crash. Despite not qualifying for the GS race at the finals, her recent training photos with the caption "GS Season 2025/26 starts now… Buckle up, buttercup" suggest a determination to overcome this challenge and prepare for future competitions.
The World Cup finals are a prestigious event that gathers the top 25 men and women skiers in each discipline, including downhill, super-G, giant slalom, and slalom. This smaller, more exclusive format intensifies the competition, as every point earned carries significant weight in the season standings and determines starting positions for the following year. The iconic International Trail on Bald Mountain will serve as the battleground for these high-stakes races.
Sun Valley’s hosting of the World Cup finals marks a significant moment for American skiing. This is only the fourth time the United States has hosted the event since its inception in 1993, with previous editions held in Vail in 1994 and 1997, and in Aspen in 2017. The return of the finals to U.S. soil underscores the country’s growing prominence in the world of alpine skiing and provides a unique opportunity for American fans to witness world-class competition firsthand.
Shiffrin, the most decorated World Cup skier in history, leads a talented U.S. team of 14 skiers into the finals. The team boasts a wealth of experience and potential, with several members having achieved podium finishes throughout the season. In addition to Shiffrin’s slalom prowess, Lauren Macuga has emerged as a force in speed events, winning a super-G and securing a silver in the downhill. Paula Moltzan has consistently performed well in giant slalom, earning two bronze medals, while Breezy Johnson has showcased her downhill skills with a bronze medal. All three skiers further solidified their credentials at the world championships, with Johnson winning the downhill, Macuga claiming bronze in the super-G, and Moltzan winning bronze in the slalom. Jared Goldberg earned silver in super-G, and Ryan Cochran-Siegle won a bronze in the downhill.
The American team’s depth is further highlighted by the fact that Macuga, Cochran-Siegle, Moltzan, and Lindsey Vonn have each qualified for two races at the finals. This versatility demonstrates the team’s overall strength and its ability to compete across multiple disciplines.
The lineup for the U.S. team at the World Cup finals is as follows:
Women:
- Downhill: Johnson, Macuga, Vonn, Jacqueline Wiles
- Super-G: Macuga, Vonn
- Giant Slalom: Moltzan, Katie Hensien, AJ Hurt, Nina O’Brien
- Slalom: Shiffrin, Moltzan
Men:
- Downhill: Cochran-Siegle, Bryce Bennett
- Super-G: Cochran-Siegle, Goldberg
- Giant Slalom: River Radamus
- Slalom: Ben Ritchie
The schedule for the World Cup finals is packed with exciting races, offering fans a thrilling conclusion to the season. The races are strategically scheduled to showcase the athletes’ skills across various disciplines.
Race Schedule:
- 1 p.m. Men’s Downhill
- 2:30 p.m. Women’s Downhill
- 1 p.m. Women’s Super-G
- 2:30 p.m. Men’s Super-G
- 11:30 a.m., first run, Women’s Giant Slalom
- 2 p.m., second run, Women’s Giant Slalom
- 11:30 a.m., first run, Men’s Giant Slalom
- 2 p.m., second run, Men’s Giant Slalom
- 11 a.m., first run, Women’s Slalom
- Noon, first run, Men’s Slalom
- 2 p.m., second run, Women’s Slalom
- 3 p.m., second run, Men’s Slalom
For fans eager to follow the action, NBC will provide live coverage of the World Cup finals across its various platforms, along with a highlights show on March 29. Additionally, Outside+ will stream all of the races live, ensuring that viewers can catch every thrilling moment.
NBC’s Broadcast Schedule:
- 1 p.m. on NBC, Peacock
- 1 p.m., NBC, Peacock
- 2:30 p.m. CNBC, Peacock
- 2 p.m. USA Network
- 2 p.m., USA Network
- 2 p.m., USA Network
- 2 p.m., NBC, Peacock
The World Cup finals in Sun Valley promise to be a captivating event, showcasing the pinnacle of alpine skiing talent. As the season draws to a close, the athletes will be pushing their limits to secure valuable points and solidify their positions for the upcoming Olympic season. For Team USA, this is an opportunity to demonstrate its strength and build momentum as they prepare to compete on home soil in the Milan-Cortina Olympics. With Shiffrin leading the charge and a talented roster of skiers behind her, the U.S. team is poised to make a significant impact on the world stage.
