Get your cowbell ready because the women of the FIS Alpine World Cup are about to go real fast on the Birds of Prey course at Beaver Creek starting Saturday.
The women's Downhill is Saturday and Super-G is Sunday, with both races starting at 11 a.m.
Unfortunately, ski race fans won't be able to see Mikaela Shiffrin or Lindsey Vonn race. But the U.S. Alpine Ski Team has a stacked set of women who will provide savvy speed skiing and could take over the spotlight against the European racers.
Here are six U.S. Ski Team women racers to watch:
Bella Wright
Hailing from Salt Lake City, Isabella Wright is the top downhiller on the women's side for the Stifel U.S. Alpine Ski Team. A 2022 Olympian and two-time world championships member, Wright's best season of her career came in 2023, when she posted her first World Cup Top 10 and her best career finish, a seventh place at the World Cup Finals in Soldeu, Andorra. This is her first World Cup in the U.S.
"I grew up going to the Birds of Prey every year with my family to watch the men's race and it is a dream come true to finally be able to race this," Wright said. "I think what makes this course different from the others on the tour is that it's new this season for us and its historically a men's race. We've had versions of this course in the past but now we get to go all in on the men's track."
Lauren Macuga
Hailing from Park City, Utah, 22-year old Lauren Macuga had a major breakout season with Top-5s and Top-10s on the World Cup tour. Most recently competing against Vonn in Copper Mountain and winning both Super-G races at the FIS Fall Festival, Macuga is one of three sisters on the U.S. Ski Team (Sam Macuga ski jumping and Alli Macuga mogul skiing) and this is her first World Cup on home snow. Macuga won a bronze medal at the 2022 World Juniors in Downhill.
"Birds of Prey is different than any other course on the tour because it is historically a men's course and it will be so fun, I can't wait," Macuga said. "After talking with the men I think the hardest part will be the bottom when your legs are tired and there are still a few more jumps. So, I will need to be really focused."
Tricia Mangan Sign Up for free: Peak Interest Your weekly local update on arts, entertainment, and life in Colorado Springs! Delivered every Thursday to your inbox.
Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Featured Local Savings
Hailing from Buffalo, New York, 27-year old Tricia Mangan is a Dartmouth College graduate with a degree in mechanical engineering, a two-time Olympian, and World Championships member. In the 2023-24 season, Mangan secured some of her best results to date, including multiple Europa Cup podiums in Super-G and Downhill as well as multiple Top-30 World Cup results, also in speed.
"I am so excited to race at the Birds of Prey this year," Mangan said. "The track looks so much fun. I've watched the men race there for years. I am so excited that the women finally get to race on it. I am particularly excited about the brink and the steep technical sections to the course."
Jackie Wiles
Hailing from Portland, Oregon, 32-year old Jackie Wiles is a 2022 Olympian who has graced the World Cup Downhill podium three times.
"What excites me the most to race the Birds of Prey this season is the surface. I have heard such incredible things from the men about the surface and the effort from the volunteers," Wiles said. "It is also super exciting to be racing on home soil."
Breezy Johnson
Hailing from Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 28-year old Breezy Johnson is a 2022 Olympian, three-time World Championships team member and has appeared on World Cup podiums seven times.
Keely Cashman
Hailing from Strawberry, California, 25-year old Keely Cashman grew up skiing for Team Palisades Tahoe. She is a 2022 Olympian, a previous National Champion in Giant Slalom, and a strong skier of all disciplines.