Paula Moltzan Secures First World Cup Podium in Giant Slalom

KRONPLATZ, Italy — American skier Paula Moltzan achieved her first World Cup podium finish in giant slalom on Tuesday, securing third place at the Kronplatz resort. The 30-year-old’s breakthrough performance marks a significant milestone in her career, as she becomes only the second American woman since Lindsey Vonn in 2015 to earn a podium spot in the discipline.

Moltzan, who had previously recorded two fifth-place finishes in giant slalom this season, delivered a strong second run to clinch her historic result. “I told myself on the second run that I wanted to ski strong, and I gave it my all,” Moltzan said. “I made some mistakes but recovered well, and I am so happy.”

The race was won by New Zealand’s Alice Robinson, who claimed her first World Cup victory in four years, while Switzerland’s Lara Gut-Behrami finished second. Moltzan’s podium finish adds to a growing list of successes for American skiers this season, including Mikaela Shiffrin’s recent Super-G win in St. Anton.

Moltzan’s journey to the podium has been marked by steady improvement. Earlier this season, she placed fifth in giant slalom at the Killington Cup in Vermont and at Semmering, Austria. Her previous best results in the discipline were two fifth-place finishes, making her third-place finish at Kronplatz a career highlight.

The absence of Shiffrin, who is recovering from an injury, opened the door for Moltzan to shine. Despite a challenging first run, she rallied in the second run to secure her spot on the podium. “I didn’t want to ski like a baby,” Moltzan said, reflecting on her determination to push through the competition.

Moltzan’s achievement underscores her resilience and potential as a rising star in alpine skiing. Her performance has sparked discussions about whether she could follow in the footsteps of American legends like Lindsey Vonn and Mikaela Shiffrin. With her first podium now secured, Moltzan is poised to build on this momentum in future races.

The American skiing community has rallied behind Moltzan, celebrating her success as a testament to hard work and perseverance. Her journey, shaped by both personal triumphs and the challenges faced by her peers, highlights the camaraderie and mutual support within the sport.