Paula Moltzan kept the U.S. women’s hot streak at the world championships going.
Moltzan won bronze in the giant slalom on Thursday, edging Norway’s Thea Louise Stjernesund by just 0.01 seconds for the first individual worlds medal of her career.
‘I’m trying to keep the tears away for now, but I’m really, really happy and proud of my entire team,’ Moltzan said.
It’s the fourth medal won in as many races for the U.S. women, matching their best showing ever at a world championships. Breezy Johnson won gold in the downhill, then paired with Mikaela Shiffrin to win the team combined. Lauren Macuga won bronze in the super-G.
This also is the first time since 1985 that three different U.S. women have won individual medals at the world championships.
And they might not be done yet. The slalom is Saturday, and Shiffrin has won a medal in the event at every world championships where she’s competed. That includes four consecutive golds from 2013 to 2019.
Moltzan posted the third-fastest time in the first GS run. She was slower in the second, but it was enough to keep her spot on the podium. Federica Brignone of Italy was first while Alice Robinson of New Zealand won the silver medal.
‘I don’t think it’s set in yet. To go two podiums in GS, back-to-back is something maybe I’ve been dreaming of my whole life,’ said Moltzan, who also was the bronze medalist in the last World Cup GS before worlds.
‘To do it on a really big stage feels pretty good.’
The bronze medal comes two days after Moltzan and Macuga finished fourth in the team combined. Macuga had the fastest downhill run, but Moltzan couldn’t keep pace in the slalom and they missed a bronze medal by 0.11 seconds.
Moltzan also was part of the U.S. team that was fourth in the mixed-gender team parallel race. Those finishes were in her mind Thursday, Moltzan said.
“It was extremely motivating,” said Moltzan, who also got a boost from having her parents in the crowd. “I’ll quote (parallel teammate) River Radamus, ‘There’s nothing worse than getting fourth on the big stage.’”