The upcoming World Cup races in North America are poised to be a thrilling spectacle, with Mikaela Shiffrin defending her home slopes in Killington and Beaver Creek. However, there’s more at stake than just her title defense. The U.S. ski team, in conjunction with its title sponsor, Stifel Financial, has announced the creation of the Stifel HERoic Cup.
This prestigious award will be presented to the female athlete who accumulates the most World Cup points across three North American stops on the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup tour: Killington (November 30-December 1), Mont Tremblant (December 7-8), and the Birds of Prey (December 14-15). The winner will receive a newly designed trophy and a substantial cash prize of $50,000.
The Birds of Prey World Cup has expanded its program to include women’s races this December. Although Shiffrin will not participate in the downhill event on December 14, she is scheduled to compete in the super-G race on December 15. Last week in Levi, Shiffrin secured her 98th-career World Cup win, further solidifying her position as one of the world’s top skiers.
The Stifel HERoic Cup features a mix of technical and speed events. With four of the six eligible races being tech events, Shiffrin’s specialties, she is well-positioned to contend for the title. The events include three giant slalom races, one slalom, a downhill, and a super-G.
According to the U.S. ski team’s press release, the prize money will be deposited into a Stifel investment account. The winner can choose to withdraw the funds, leave them invested with Stifel’s guidance, or combine both options. In the event of a tie, the cash prize will be split.
Ron Kruszewski, chairman and CEO of Stifel, expressed his enthusiasm for the Stifel HERoic Cup, stating, “We’re excited to help the Stifel U.S. Ski Team celebrate and empower women competing in North America this winter through our sponsorship of the Stifel HERoic Cup.”
Mikaela Shiffrin also shared her appreciation for Stifel’s support, saying, “Ron and Stifel have been incredible supporters of the Stifel U.S. Ski Team. And their support of the Stifel HERoic Cup is yet another example of their passion for ski racing and their determination to bring more support to our team and awareness to our sport.”
The Stifel HERoic Cup is a groundbreaking initiative that recognizes and rewards the achievements of female skiers competing in North America. As the world’s top skiers gather for the upcoming World Cup races, the stage is set for an exhilarating competition that will showcase their skill, speed, and determination.
