Paula Moltzan: Her Unique Ski Racing Journey, Rekindling Friendship with Mikaela Shiffrin, and Globe Aspirations at 30
A Season of Breakthroughs
Paula Moltzan is embracing the best season of her career at nearly 31 years old, proving that success in alpine skiing isn’t limited to youth. The American tech specialist has found the consistency needed to contend for podium finishes regularly. This season, she achieved two World Cup podiums and earned a bronze medal in giant slalom at the World Championships in Saalbach—her first individual medal in a senior competition.
With seven top-five finishes across the World Cup and World Championships, Moltzan has contributed to an outstanding season for the U.S. women’s team, alongside wins from Mikaela Shiffrin, Lauren Macuga, and Breezy Johnson.
“There’s a lot of positive momentum for us right now,” Moltzan told *Olympics.com.*
Currently ranked sixth in the world in giant slalom, Moltzan leads the American contingent in the discipline, followed closely by Nina O’Brien, AJ Hurt, and Katie Hensien.
“On any given day, one of those girls can beat me in training, and the next day, it could be someone else. That constant competition pushes us all to ski faster,” she explained.
With that environment fueling her progress, competing for a season title no longer feels out of reach.
“That’s definitely on my long-term goals list,” Moltzan said. “I hope to find the consistency to make it happen next season or the one after. Federica Brignone is proving it’s possible—she’s won more than half of her races after turning 30!”
Rediscovering a Passion for Skiing
Moltzan’s journey to this level of success hasn’t been conventional. After winning the junior world slalom title in 2015, she struggled in her first full World Cup season and lost her spot on the U.S. Ski Team.
Instead of quitting, she turned to collegiate racing.
“It’s not the typical ski racing path—to be on the national team, then go to university, and come back,” she admitted.
At 22, unsure of her options and unable to afford independent training, she joined the University of Vermont’s ski program. There, she won an NCAA slalom title and learned valuable lessons about teamwork.
“Getting cut from the team was the best thing that happened to me,” Moltzan reflected. “I rediscovered my love for ski racing in an environment where it wasn’t just about me—it was about the team. I learned how to support others, how to be a good teammate.”
Returning to the national team in 2018, she brought a new perspective:College forced me to grow up. Now, I appreciate every opportunity. I’ve learned to be coachable, flexible, and grateful.”
Looking back, she acknowledges her teenage mindset was flawed.
“I wouldn’t say I was spoiled, but I felt entitled,” she admitted. “I was one of the top-ranked juniors besides Mikaela and thought the U.S. team should be doing more for me. But in reality, I wasn’t as good as I thought I was.”
Strength Training in a Barn and the Role of Her Husband
Since rejoining the World Cup, Moltzan has worked to become a more complete athlete.
“My physical conditioning was the missing piece,” she said. “As a young skier, I relied on natural talent and didn’t train as hard in the summer.”
When the pandemic hit in 2020, she committed to off-season training, even if it meant using a makeshift gym in her husband’s parents’ woodshed.
“The first year, there wasn’t even a concrete floor. The second year, we didn’t have electricity. But we made it work,” she recalled.
Her husband, Ryan Mooney—a former skier who attended the Green Mountain Valley School—has been a crucial part of her journey.
“Ryan doesn’t get enough credit,” she said. “He was with me in college and has been tuning my skis ever since. Without him, I don’t think I could have made a comeback.”
Beyond ski tuning, Mooney has acted as her coach, chauffeur, travel planner, and photographer.
“He’s my biggest supporter but also my toughest critic. That’s not always easy, but it pushes me to be better.”
To afford having Mooney travel with her, Moltzan even worked as a whitewater raft guide in the summer.
Growing Up in Minnesota’s Slalom Scene
Despite now living on the East Coast, Moltzan remains proud of her Midwestern roots.
“Minnesotans are just nice to everyone,” she said with a laugh.
Like her idol Lindsey Vonn, she developed her skills at Buck Hill—a small ski area south of Minneapolis with just a 93-meter (300-foot) vertical drop.
“It was a humble start,” she recalled. “I never really free-skied much. We trained in gates over and over again, which helped me develop a good feel for turns from a young age.”
She also had the opportunity to learn from legendary Austrian coach Erich Sailer, who still supports her today.
“He’s almost 99, but he still texts me after good races!” she said.
Friendship and Rivalry with Mikaela Shiffrin
Moltzan and Mikaela Shiffrin have crossed paths throughout their careers, having grown up competing together.
“We’re only 11 months apart, so she’s always been around,” Moltzan said. “The last time I might have beaten her in a race, I was 13 or 14.”
Early in their World Cup careers, they trained together, but their paths diverged—Shiffrin created her own team, and Moltzan left the U.S. squad.
“Because we were both on separate journeys, there was a gap in our friendship,” she admitted.
Recently, though, Shiffrin has reconnected with Moltzan and the team.
“She’s been through a lot—losing her dad, injuries—and I think that’s brought us closer,” Moltzan said. “She’s realizing that having a team around her is valuable. It’s nice to be there for her, just as she’s been for all of us.”
Moltzan was on the podium when Shiffrin won her 100th World Cup race in Sestriere.
“It was an amazing moment to share,” she said.
Looking Ahead to the World Cup Finals in Sun Valley
Despite excelling in giant slalom this season, Moltzan considers herself a well-rounded tech skier rather than a specialist in one event.
“I started in slalom, and I even had a coach who told me I’d never succeed in GS. I’m happy to have proven him wrong,” she said with a grin.
She is looking forward to the World Cup Finals in Sun Valley, where a strong U.S. team will compete in front of home fans.
“The U.S. women’s team is so deep right now—any one of us could win on any day,” she said. “It’s been a long time since we’ve had this kind of strength across the board.”
Moltzan, who won the national GS title at Sun Valley in 2024, is eager to close out her best season on a high note.
“In a sport dominated by Europeans, racing on home soil is special,” she said. “The energy from the crowd is incredible. Having such a strong American team for these Finals makes it even more exciting. I want to put the cherry on top of a great season.”
Leave a Reply