Palisades Tahoe hosted 102 athletes from 23 countries for World Cup skiing this weekend, with huge crowds coming out to support the men’s Giant Slalom and Slalom racers.
Nearly 15,000 fans watched the action live, while ski racing enthusiasts tuned in from over 100 countries.
The US Ski Team brought nine athletes back to home soil, while the international competitors marveled at the Sierra’s impressive snowfall.
“We were so thrilled to welcome back our friends in World Cup skiing to Palisades Tahoe,” remarked Palisades COO Dee Bryne. “Our legendary terrain and snowfall exceeded all expectations and we were overjoyed to be able to offer the competitors the rare opportunity of a powder day alongside a challenging race course.”
More than 400 volunteers and a course crew of 100 made the event possible amidst a winter storm, which dumped more than 108 inches of snow on the resort over the weekend and the days leading up to the event.
Approximately 60 inches of snow had to be removed from the Red Dog course to create the ideal racing surface, and a slip crew of 64 worked tirelessly from the early hours of the morning through race days to ensure the course remained clear.
Austrian Marco Schwarz won Saturday’s Giant Slalom race, followed by Swiss skier Marco Odermatt in second and Norwegian Rasmus Windingstad in third. After Greece’s AJ Ginnis was disqualified following a jury review, Norway’s Alexander Steen Olsen won Sunday’s Slalom competition by 0.05 seconds.
His countryman Timon Haugan took second place and Albert Popov (BUL) and Clement Noel (FRA) tied for third place.
“The Stifel Palisades Tahoe Cup had an amazing atmosphere with tens of thousands of screaming American ski racing fans. Having the opportunity to host the first men’s technical series in the United States in decades at a historic Olympic venue like Palisades Tahoe was incredible,” said U.S. Ski & Snowboard President & CEO Sophie Goldschmidt. “It was very fun to see our international competitors enjoy the slopes of Palisades on an amazing day of powder skiing, with many claiming it to be the best skiing they have ever had. We hope to see more U.S. races in the future, and continue to inspire the next generation of ski racers and fans!”
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February 26 (Day 2 of Palisades Cup):
The second day of World Cup skiing concluded dramatically today in Olympic Valley with Alexander Steen Olsen and Timon Haugan, both from Norway, taking first and second place respectively.
Albert Popov (BUL) and Clement Noel (FRA) tied for third place. Greek fan favorite AJ Ginnis initially placed first, but was disqualified after the jury ruled he straddled a gate at the top of the second run. Billy Major (GBR) was awarded the Stifel Bibbo Award for the best advancement in today’s race—starting at 41st and ultimately placing 18th.
“It was exciting to welcome the best in the world to one of our favorite runs, and today’s races were made even more challenging by the continued snowfall,” said Patrick Lacey, spokesperson at Palisades Tahoe. “We are so happy to have shared our beautiful terrain and wintery weather with the global ski racing audience, and hope to welcome World Cup competition to our slopes again soon.”
The inbound storm created exacting conditions with overcast skies, snowfall, and blustery winds. In the first run, 12 athletes did not finish. While no members of the US Ski Team made the second run, River Radamus did make his World Cup debut today in the Slalom, placing 32nd and just missing the cut.
Snow fell consistently throughout the day ahead of the next storm, which is expected to bring between 49-79 inches of snow to Palisades Tahoe by midweek. Despite the conditions, this weekend’s grandstands were full of enthusiastic crowds cheering for athletes from 23 nations, while members of the Sierra Swiss Club cowbell group made sure athletes could hear the crowds from the starting gate.
Fans of ski racing enjoyed the celebratory atmosphere throughout the Village at Palisades Tahoe with concerts from Noah Kahan and 311 Saturday night followed by a fireworks display.
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February 25 (Day 1 of Palisades Cup):
With more than 60 competitors facing off for a World Cup win, Austrian Marco Schwarz won the Giant Slalom race on Red Dog today at the Stifel Palisades Tahoe Cup.
The 27-year-old skier is ranked fifth in the world in the Giant Slalom, and this marks just his second podium.
Swiss skier and recent World Champion Marco Odermatt took second place, while Norwegian Rasmus Windingstad took third in his first podium in four years. USA athlete George Steffey was 21st and teammate River Radamus did not finish following a missed gate on his second run.
Today’s race was also the first public award of the Stifel Bibbo Award to Belgium skier Sam Maes. The Bibbo Award recognizes the skiers who advanced the most between the two runs.
Crews went to work in the early morning hours on Saturday to remove the accumulation of snow from Friday’s heavy snow.
Unable to train the day prior to racing, most competitors got the rare opportunity to enjoy a legendary Tahoe powder day. At Friday evening’s Opening Ceremony, nearly every European skier remarked that Palisades Tahoe had the most snow they’d ever seen.
“We are stoked to host World Cup skiing again at Palisades Tahoe, and after a competitive Giant Slalom race today, we look forward to some incredible Slalom runs tomorrow,” said Patrick Lacey, spokesman for Palisades Tahoe. “The Tahoe weather certainly put on a show this week, delivering over 40 inches of snow in the days leading up to the races. We are so grateful for our passionate fans, hardworking volunteers, and dedicated crew that spent hours getting—and keeping—the conditions just right for today’s race.”
Palisades Tahoe is no stranger to international competition. A renowned ski racing venue that has bred champions since the 1960 Winter Olympics, the resort’s legendary steeps have once again welcome back World Cup racers this week.
One of only four U.S. resorts featured on the World Cup circuit this season, Palisades Tahoe is host to the men’s Slalom and Giant Slalom events on Dog Leg and Red Dog Face. The course, raced in 2017 for the women’s alpine event, is one Olympic champion Mikaela Shiffrin has described as “one of, if not the toughest” course venues on the World Cup circuit.
(Palisades Tahoe)
