In the high-stakes world of alpine skiing, where rivalries fuel excellence and teammates push each other to new heights, U.S. Ski Team star Paula Moltzan has delivered one of the most heartfelt tributes to her longtime teammate and dominant force, Mikaela Shiffrin.
Moltzan, who has shared the slopes with Shiffrin since their teenage years, posted an emotional message declaring: “I will forever in my career be striving to be as good as you.” The candid admission highlights the profound respect and inspiration the Minnesota native draws from Shiffrin, widely regarded as the greatest alpine skier of all time.
The sentiment comes amid an electric season for the American women, who continue to dominate the FIS Alpine World Cup circuit ahead of the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Just days ago, on January 13, 2026, Shiffrin claimed her sixth slalom victory of the season in a thrilling night race in Flachau, Austria, with Moltzan right behind her in second place — securing another coveted 1-2 finish for the U.S. team.
The duo embraced warmly at the finish line, a moment that captured their deep bond both on and off the course. Shiffrin, who now boasts a record-extending 107 World Cup wins (including 70 in slalom), praised the shared podium, saying, “Podiums with teammates are the best thing in the world.” Moltzan, still chasing her first career World Cup victory, has been closing the gap impressively, notching multiple podiums this season in both slalom and giant slalom.
Their history runs deep: they’ve celebrated podiums together before, including a memorable 1-2 in 2022, and Moltzan has often spoken about learning from Shiffrin’s technical mastery while carving her own path. In interviews, Moltzan has emphasized that while she may never match Shiffrin’s staggering statistics, she draws motivation from her teammate’s work ethic, resilience, and human side.
This latest expression of admiration underscores the unique dynamic in U.S. alpine skiing — a blend of fierce competition and genuine mutual respect that is propelling the team toward Olympic glory. With stars like Shiffrin, Moltzan, and a returning Lindsey Vonn all qualified and in top form, the Americans are poised to make history in Milan.
As Moltzan put it so powerfully, the pursuit isn’t just about results — it’s about aspiring to the highest standard, embodied by one of the sport’s all-time legends. And in that endless strive, the future of American skiing looks brighter than ever. 🇺🇸⛷️
