In a significant development poised to reshape the landscape of women’s alpine skiing, American technical specialist Paula Moltzan has announced a groundbreaking equipment change, transitioning from her long-standing partnership with Rossignol skis to join Marcel Hirscher’s burgeoning VAN DEER-Red Bull Sports race program. This strategic shift, confirmed by a VAN DEER-Red Bull Sports press release, marks one of the most high-profile equipment alterations in the sport in recent memory and signals a bold new chapter for both the 32-year-old athlete and the innovative ski manufacturer. Moltzan becomes the inaugural female athlete to be signed by the brand, immediately positioning her as the standard-bearer for VAN DEER’s expansion into women’s World Cup racing.
The decision comes on the heels of what has been universally described as the strongest season of Moltzan’s illustrious career. During the hypothetical 2025-26 World Cup season, Moltzan demonstrated exceptional consistency and competitive prowess, securing four second-place finishes across various technical events, primarily in Giant Slalom and Slalom. These podium placements underscore her ascent to the elite tier of alpine racers, solidifying her reputation as a formidable contender. Beyond the World Cup circuit, her medal haul further cemented her status, including an Olympic bronze in the highly competitive team combined event at the Cortina Games. This achievement built upon prior successes, notably a World Championship gold in the team event in 2023 and an individual Giant Slalom bronze at the 2025 World Championships held in Saalbach. Such a trajectory of consistent improvement and medal-winning performances makes her move to a relatively nascent brand particularly noteworthy, suggesting a deep conviction in VAN DEER’s potential to elevate her game further.
A Decade of Dedication: Moltzan’s Journey to a New Horizon
For over a decade, Paula Moltzan was synonymous with Rossignol, a relationship that began in her formative years and saw her through significant milestones, including collegiate racing success at the University of Vermont, her initial forays onto the World Cup stage, and her gradual climb through the ranks. This long-term commitment to a single equipment supplier is common in alpine skiing, where athletes develop an intimate understanding and trust in their gear. The transition away from such a well-established partnership is rarely undertaken lightly, often involving extensive testing, careful consideration of technical advantages, and alignment with personal career ambitions. Her decision to embrace a "new team, new approach, new era," as Moltzan herself articulated, reflects a profound belief in the philosophy and potential of VAN DEER-Red Bull Sports. "Like everyone else, I was blown away when VAN DEER-Red Bull Sports entered the World Cup," Moltzan stated, hinting at the brand’s impactful debut and performance on the men’s circuit that evidently captured her attention and confidence.
Moltzan’s career progression offers a compelling narrative of perseverance and incremental improvement. Born in Minnesota, her journey through the U.S. ski racing system was marked by consistent effort. After a strong junior career, she briefly stepped away from the World Cup to focus on collegiate skiing, where she dominated, winning multiple NCAA championships. This period proved crucial for her development, allowing her to mature physically and mentally before returning to the World Cup with renewed focus. Her consistent top-10 finishes and eventual podium breakthroughs in the last few seasons indicate a finely tuned athlete who has steadily refined her technique and race strategy. This sustained upward trajectory, rather than a sudden burst, positions her as a calculated and experienced competitor.
The Rise of VAN DEER-Red Bull Sports: Marcel Hirscher’s Vision
The entry of VAN DEER-Red Bull Sports into the highly competitive ski manufacturing industry has been one of the most talked-about developments in recent years. Founded by Marcel Hirscher, arguably the greatest male alpine ski racer of his generation with eight consecutive overall World Cup titles, the brand brought an unprecedented level of athlete-led innovation and a distinctive competitive ethos. Hirscher’s meticulous approach to equipment, which was a hallmark of his racing career, is now directly applied to the development and refinement of VAN DEER skis. The partnership with Red Bull Sports further amplifies the brand’s reach and resources, providing unparalleled marketing support and a high-performance ecosystem.
VAN DEER initially made waves on the men’s World Cup circuit, attracting top talent like Henrik Kristoffersen, who quickly achieved success on the new equipment. This immediate impact validated Hirscher’s vision and the quality of the skis, demonstrating that a new player could challenge the long-standing dominance of industry giants like Head, Atomic, Rossignol, and Fischer. The brand’s philosophy centers on precision engineering, direct athlete feedback, and a relentless pursuit of speed. Hirscher’s personal involvement in testing and development ensures that the skis are crafted to meet the exacting demands of elite-level racing. The expansion into women’s ski racing, as Hirscher confirmed, was always an integral part of the long-term strategic plan for VAN DEER. "We always make sure that personality and performance potential match," Hirscher commented on Moltzan’s signing. "Paula brings both." This statement underscores the brand’s commitment not just to raw talent but also to athletes who embody the VAN DEER spirit of innovation and competitive drive.
Challenging Perceptions: Age and Peak Performance in Alpine Skiing
Moltzan’s assertion, "I’m 32 now, but I still feel like I’m on my way to my career peak," directly confronts traditional notions of age limits in elite alpine skiing. Historically, many skiers would consider retirement or a significant decline in performance by their early thirties. However, advancements in sports science, training methodologies, nutrition, and recovery protocols have enabled athletes across various disciplines to extend their careers and maintain peak performance well into what was once considered "veteran" territory. Moltzan’s ambition to "show that skiing fast is much less a question of age than people generally think" resonates with a growing trend in the sport.
Indeed, several prominent examples support Moltzan’s perspective. Mikaela Shiffrin, while younger, continues to break records well into her late twenties, demonstrating sustained excellence. In recent history, athletes like Tina Maze and Aksel Lund Svindal achieved some of their most significant victories in their early to mid-thirties. This shift indicates a more nuanced understanding of athletic longevity, where experience, technical mastery, and mental fortitude can often outweigh the perceived advantages of youth. Moltzan’s consistent development, with half of her career podium finishes occurring in the past season alone, provides concrete evidence that her trajectory is still ascending, not plateauing. This narrative makes her an ideal ambassador for a brand built on challenging conventions.
The Crucial Role of the Ski Serviceman: Ryan Mooney’s Continued Involvement
A critical aspect of Moltzan’s support system, and one that offers a unique advantage in her transition, is the continued involvement of her husband, Ryan Mooney, as her ski serviceman. In alpine racing, the relationship between an athlete and their serviceman is paramount. This individual is responsible for preparing skis for every condition, selecting the optimal setup, and making minute adjustments that can mean the difference between victory and defeat. The trust and intimate understanding between Moltzan and Mooney, forged through years of shared experience, provide a bedrock of stability during this significant equipment change.
The consistency offered by Mooney’s presence ensures that Moltzan’s feedback on the new VAN DEER equipment will be interpreted and acted upon with the highest degree of personal insight. This continuity minimizes the learning curve often associated with changing teams and equipment, allowing for a more seamless adaptation. Their collaborative process, as they embark on working with the new setup ahead of the 2027 World Championships in Crans-Montana, will be instrumental. This extended preparation period, including rigorous summer testing programs both on and off snow, will allow them to fine-tune the skis to Moltzan’s precise specifications and racing style. "A new era – exciting," Moltzan remarked. "For someone as competitive as I am, it’s exactly the right kind of summer program." This enthusiasm highlights her eagerness to engage in the intensive development process required to maximize the new partnership.
Broader Implications: Reshaping the Alpine Skiing Landscape
Paula Moltzan’s move to VAN DEER-Red Bull Sports carries significant implications not only for her individual career but also for the broader alpine skiing community and the equipment industry.
For Paula Moltzan: The switch offers the potential for highly customized equipment, direct access to Marcel Hirscher’s unparalleled expertise, and the prestige of being the lead female athlete for an ambitious new brand. This could provide a psychological boost and a sense of ownership in the equipment development process that might be less available with larger, more established manufacturers. The risks, however, include the challenge of adapting to entirely new equipment under competitive pressure and the weight of expectations as the brand’s female pioneer.
For VAN DEER-Red Bull Sports: Signing Moltzan immediately validates the brand’s commitment to women’s racing and significantly elevates its profile in that segment. Her consistent podium finishes and medal-winning performances provide instant credibility. This move could pave the way for other top female athletes to consider VAN DEER, further diversifying its roster and strengthening its position in the global market. It signals that the brand is not merely a men’s ski specialist but a serious contender across all disciplines.
For the Ski Equipment Industry: Moltzan’s transition could stimulate further innovation among rival brands. The success of an athlete on a newer, smaller brand challenges the status quo and encourages established manufacturers to re-evaluate their athlete-support programs, R&D strategies, and marketing approaches. It underscores the growing importance of personalized equipment and the direct involvement of legendary athletes in brand development. Furthermore, it highlights the potential for dynamic brand shifts, where athlete loyalty can be swayed by compelling new opportunities.
For Women’s Alpine Skiing: This development adds another layer of intrigue and competitiveness to the women’s World Cup. It showcases the growing professionalism of female athletes and their agency in making career-defining choices. Moltzan’s narrative of peak performance in her thirties further champions the idea of extended careers, potentially inspiring younger generations and influencing how athlete development and longevity are perceived.
As the alpine skiing world looks towards the upcoming World Cup season and the 2027 World Championships, all eyes will be on Paula Moltzan and her new VAN DEER-Red Bull Sports skis. Her journey represents more than just an equipment change; it embodies a strategic embrace of innovation, a challenge to conventional wisdom regarding age in elite sports, and a bold step into a new era for both athlete and brand. The anticipation for her debut on the new setup is palpable, as she aims to translate her recent successes into even greater triumphs, proving that a fresh approach can indeed unlock new levels of performance.
