HAFJELL, Norway (March 9, 2015) – Nearly perfect snow conditions on the first run led Minnesota native Paula Moltzan (Lakeville, MN) to a gold medal in slalom Monday at the 2015 FIS Alpine Junior World Championships on the 1994 Olympic venue of Hafjell, just outside Lillehammer. Moltzan’s win is the first ever win for a U.S. woman in Junior Worlds slalom. Teammate AJ Ginnis (Waitsfield, VT) also snagged a medal, finishing third in the men’s slalom.
Moltzan was on top from the beginning, finishing nearly a second faster than Germany’s silver medalist Marlene Schmotz on her first run before claiming the title by 0.65 seconds. Austria’s Katharina Truppe was a full second off Moltzan’s pace, finishing with the bronze. Moltzan’s gold medal is the first for the U.S. women since Julia Mancuso won the combined in 2004.
On the men’s side, Norway’s Henrick Kristoffersen took the win, with Marco Schwarz of Austria with the silver. Ginnis’ bronze medal is the first Junior Worlds medal for the U.S. men since Ryan Cochran-Siegle won gold in both the downhill and the combined in 2012.
Racing will contine through this Friday with super G, combined and downhill.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Paula Moltzan of the Buck Hill Ski Team in Minnesota and the U.S. Ski Team B Team won slalom gold at the FIS Alpine Junior World Championships Monday.
- AJ Ginnis of Green Mountain Valley School in Waitsfield, VT and the U.S. Ski Team D Team took bronze in men's slalom.
- Moltzan became the first American woman to win a slalom gold at Junior Worlds. Ginnis was the first American man to medal since Ryan Cochran-Siegle in 2012 and first technical (GS or slalom) since 2009 when Tommy Ford won silver in slalom and Nolan Kasper bronze.
QUOTES
Paula Moltzan
The course was so sweet on the first run. Pretty turny, but the snow was so perfect to run first. I couldn’t imagine better snow for first run. I was pretty stoked. It was a pretty tough competition. These girls are great skiers and it could have gone to anyone today. Perhaps it was just my day with a little bit of luck. AJ and I were definitely feeding off of each other’s energy, it was awesome to watch him compete and just lay it down. And then I was like “ok, now it’s my turn.” I am really happy I wasn’t expecting this at all. It’s a nice surprise!
AJ Ginnis
The first run was sweet. Second run was pretty bumpy, so I’m super happy I could ski down and finish in third. The morning was good for snow and the afternoon was like spring conditions. It was a pretty good day for the U.S. I really wanted to get a medal. I actually based my entire season around these races so to walk away with one even if it’s bronze it’s great!
RESULTS
Men’s Slalom
Women’s Slalom
