Fastest female alpine ski racers in the world at the Heroic Killington Cup presented by Stifel; Lara Gut-Behrami wins the giant slalom and Anna Swenn-Larsson and Wendy Holdener tie for slalom win. Photos courtesy Killington.
$650,000 was raised for the Killington World Cup Foundation thanks to 37,000 who attended the race, with record numbers on Saturday
Vermont Business Magazine Vermont’s Killington Resort, the largest ski and snowboard resort in Eastern North America and part of POWDR – an adventure lifestyle company – hosted the women’s Audi FIS Ski World Cup for the sixth time over Thanksgiving Weekend. Switzerland’s Lara Gut-Behrami won the giant slalom under sunny skies on Saturday and in a shocking finale Sunday, Anna Swenn-Larsson (SWE) and Wendy Holdener (SUI) tied for the slalom win. Though she logged the fastest time in run one, five-time Killington Cup champion Mikaela Shiffrin finished the slalom in fifth.
After a slow start to the Audi FIS Ski World Cup season, marred with cancellations in Europe, Killington Resort pulled off the impossible by taking the racecourse from grass to FIS snow control approval in a matter of days. Because of the prolonged warm weather in November, the Heroic Killington Cup presented by Stifel was the first race of the year for many athletes, who shared their enthusiasm for being back in Vermont.
“I always have a lot of fun at Killington,” says Stifel U.S. Alpine Team athlete and University of Vermont student Paula Moltzan. “I’m excited to hear the crowd in the gate. I think we know as a team that Killington has the best fans. As an adopted Vermonter, it’s always nice to see a couple familiar faces at the finish line.”
The record-breaking crowds totaling 37,000 over the weekend began arriving on Friday for the return of the athlete bib presentation and fireworks display, and once again roared on both Saturday and Sunday as the fastest female alpine ski racers in the world descended Superstar.
Mikaela Shiffrin takes on a gate during the slalom.
“This crowd is quite special,” says local favorite and five-time champion Mikaela Shiffrin. “Especially in the slalom, I can hear the crowd from the start. It’s this deep rumbling that soaks into your bones and gives you some extra energy to try and get to the finish faster. Some places everyone has a favorite they’re rooting for. Being my hometown, I think some people are going to be cheering for me, but I think if anyone on this stage comes down with a really strong run, it’s deafening. The crowd isn’t only cheering for one person, it’s just looking for an amazing show. I think that’s what makes it special, even if I’m not winning the race.”
The 2022 Heroic Killington Cup presented by Stifel also launched “Heroic” a new women’s initiative by the U.S Ski & Snowboard Team, designed to empower and create opportunities for females in the ski industry
“This event builds so much groundswell and has lifted up the resort and changed its reputation, among women especially,” says POWDR SVP of Marketing Services Megan Fearnow. “I think it has done wonders for employee culture and our community. Having this enormous event that is all about women has been an invaluable addition to the culture here and enables women to continue to thrive at Killington.”
“It is such an honor to host 20 different nations, 90 of the world’s best female athletes and the thousands of fans who cheer for every country here at Killington Resort,” says Director of Brand Marketing, Events and Special Projects Amy Laramie. “I’ve been helping coordinate this event since year one and I still get butterflies of excitement. To all the athletes, thank you for giving it your all and inspiring the next generation of skiers and female athletes all over the world.”
HIGHLIGHTS
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The Heroic Killington Cup presented by Stifel held an estimated 37,000 spectators across three days (6,000 Friday night for opening ceremonies, 21,000 Saturday for giant slalom, 10,000 Sunday for slalom).
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The Heroic Killington Cup presented by Stifel was broadcast in more than 60 countries worldwide and live on NBC, Peacock and Outside in the United States.
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The Heroic Killington Cup presented by Stifel raised $650,000 for the Killington World Cup Foundation through ticket sales and VIP packages.
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Over 300 volunteers took part in the Heroic Killington Cup presented by Stifel.
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Over 600 children from New England ski clubs participated in the opening day parade on Saturday.
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1st Anna Swenn-Larsson (SWE)
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1st Wendy Holdener (SUI)
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3rd Katharina Truppe (AUT)
Anna Swenn-Larsson and Wendy Holdener tie for slalom win.
About Killington Resort
Killington Resort is a four-season destination sitting on 3,000 acres in the heart of Central Vermont’s Green Mountains. Known as The Beast of the East, Killington boasts 92 miles of diverse snow sports terrain spread across six peaks including Pico Mountain, served by the most expansive lift network and snowmaking system in Eastern North America. After the snow melts, Killington features an 18-hole championship golf course, the family-friendly Snowshed Adventure Center, 35 miles of mountain biking trails with expansion underway with Gravity Logic, plus 15 miles of hiking trails. The seemingly infinite après, dining, and lodging options have made Killington a world-class destination for East Coast skiers and riders for more than 60 years. Killington is part of the POWDR portfolio. Visit www.killington.com for more information and be social with #beast365.
About Killington World Cup Foundation
The “Killington World Cup Foundation” (KWCF) was created to benefit local and regional youth development programs, and to support the women’s Audi FIS Ski World Cup at Killington Resort. KWCF will continue to provide grants to support the winter sports infrastructure and access to winter sports in the northeast, with the goal of creating lifelong participants in the sport. Visit kwcfgivesback.org for more information.
KILLINGTON, Vt. (November 27, 2022) – Vermont’s Killington Resort
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