Paula Moltzan, a name now etched in the history of competitive skiing, clinched the bronze medal in giant slalom at Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Austria, illustrating a journey of determination. Her path to this triumph is a narrative filled with perseverance, closely intertwined with the iconic hills of Minnesota that also nurtured skiing legend Lindsey Vonn.
Moltzan’s ascent to the podium comes as a sweet reward after narrowly missing out previously. In recent Alpine skiing championships, she was part of the U.S. team finishing fourth in the mixed team parallel event, as well as failing to maintain a lead in the new team combined event alongside Lauren Macuga. Adding another fourth-place finish at the Beijing Olympics, Paula’s bronze at Austria marks her first individual accolade at such a prestigious level, a mere hundredth of a second ahead of Norway’s Thea Louise Stjernesund. It was a moment of euphoria, as she articulated, “It’s feeling pretty special right now.”
In her latest race, under the bright azure of the opening run, Moltzan secured third place. As daylight waned, she held onto her rank, sealing her fate with exuberance. The stands roared with delight, filled with loved ones clad in USA hockey jerseys, symbolizing unwavering support. Among them was her husband, Ryan Mooney, doubling as her ski technician and an unofficial mentor, who shared in the immediate post-race celebrations.
Moltzan’s journey was anything but conventional. Despite initially climbing the ranks of U.S. women’s skiing as the second-best technical skier behind Mikaela Shiffrin, her climb faced hurdles. She suffered setbacks with injuries, missing out on personal triumphs despite contributing to the team’s success. Her resolve remained unshaken when life took her back to academia; she won the NCAA slalom title while attending the University of Vermont. Unyielding, she returned to the World Cup circuit, self-financing her Alpine dreams after losing her place on the U.S. team.
Her story is deeply rooted in her early training at Minnesota’s Buck Hill, not far from where Lindsey Vonn learned her craft. Mentored by Erich Sailer, Moltzan has since evolved into an embodiment of grit and resilience. A remarkable athlete, she has now secured her place in the lineup for the upcoming Milan-Cortina Olympics.
This year’s world championships have seen strong performances from Moltzan’s American teammates, with medals in various events like the women's super-G, and team combined. Despite Mikaela Shiffrin’s absence, Moltzan praised the team’s robust dynamics, “The women’s U.S. Ski Team right now is extremely strong in both tech and speed.” The camaraderie and competitive spirit fuel their collective success, and with Shiffrin set to rejoin on Saturday, hopes for further U.S. success are high.
Moltzan’s journey, underscored by challenges and triumphs, is a testament to her unwavering spirit. As she prepares for the next leg of her career, her story continues to inspire, reminding us of the dedication and fortitude behind every success on the world stage.
