Three or four seasons ago, there was chatter to brace ourselves as what was unfolding was likely the weakest women's field in a LONG time. Well, we're there now.
With respect to the USST, we have some young women the rise, but most are far from a WC podium. We're dealing with the "Mikaela effect", which caused a huge number of women to give up the sport as they thought they "sucked" relative to MS. This is back when she was 15-18, and people did not necessarily, universally realize what she would become. So that's the USST. Look at both years a bit older than MS. WE have almost no wowen's tech team.
I'd like to see a skier or two contend with MS on the tech side, and hopefully we will. Vlhova, for one. There is going to be no contest whatsoever for the overall. None, if MS stays healthy. Just a question of by how much she wins, and how many wins she racks up. She's the best ever. Might as well enjoy watching her, if if the competition is not that great.
Goggia is hammer down skier, and from what I hear from Italian coaches, she has been a challenge to coach since she was a junior. Headstrong. Super talent. I believe that one thing that has really improved, starting last year is her level of fitness and stamina. For a while, she could be a serious disaster in the making, hoping to hang on and finish the longer more demanding tracks, while running out of gas. She should be threat to win, or at least podium every time out of the gate. I'm not convinced that we will ever see Stuhec ski at the level and consistency that she did two years ago. Nor Lara Gut. We'll see....Maybe.
USST women. My gut says that ONCE again, they are not managing Breezy Johnson's rehab and return to snow as they should. I would love to be totally wrong, but generally speaking, an ACL/MCL and prepping to race WC speed takes a lot of rest...and time, not just hard work. We have a history of creating pressure to come back too soon. Keep in mind, she wrecked this knee in Mammoth this spring, while returning to snow from surgery on the OTHER knee. Some very informed in the world of rehabbing skiers at this level though that in the spring it was too much, and that a risk of it can be over working the "good knee" and risking more injury. Not saying that happened exactly that way. The USST speed group has looked like a rehab ward. I'm not expecting much. And I wish the culture was such that taking the right amount of time was OK. A move like Laurenne Ross is taking, taking the entire season off to hopefully be ready next season is very unusual. We'll see if she does return.
Hopefully well see a group of younger faces emerge on the WC, from all nations, to really make bold moves. That would be great.
My personal favorite is Alice Robinson of NZ. Tactically near perfect in GS. Incredible natural talent. Has always just "sent it" and now has the tactical mindset to perform as she did a the end of last season. Also happened to get into a entirely new boot {very similar, identical to an older boot of hers} two weeks before Jr. Worlds, which lead to her WCF's. Yeah...that matters. I would look to her making a change in her equipment by next summer at the lastest. She is is HOT demand, and is being pursued by everybody. She can likely get great support, the fastest skis made, and a big payday {not that she needs the payday.} Just signed a deal with RedBull, as well. Alice could challenge for the GS globe, soon. Perhaps another year. And she will eventually just KILL it in SG. She is still 17. Turns 18 later this year. If she were skiing with a stronger national federation, I can only imagine.
As always, looking forward to the season. Paying a lot of attention to NorAm results as well. Those will be interesting for our younger skiers.