CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy — If experience counts for anything in ski racing, it paid off in bronze for a U.S. skiing duo.
Paula Moltzan is 31. Jackie Wiles is 33. They are two of the oldest on the U.S. squad. And on Tuesday, they were the fastest when it mattered in the Team Combined Alpine race.
"It feels incredible. I don't think it's going to sink in for me for a couple of days," Moltzan said.
Wiles said it all feels like a dream.
"It's unreal," she said.
Alpine skiing is a sport measured in hundredths of a second. And in heartbreak. Both women know what fourth place feels like.
"It's heartbreaking," Wiles said. "Being on the better side of it this time was incredible and makes it feel all that much more special now."
Moltzan added, "It's definitely sweeter. It was fun to do it together."
That's been the theme for the U.S. Ski Team, even though they aren't together — the women are in Cortina, Italy, and the men are in Bormio. Still, in an interview meant to celebrate them, Moltzan and Wiles seemed most excited about the chance to celebrate a teammate 200 miles away.
"The women's team right now is super strong. But just today in Bormio, RCS, Ryan got his second Olympic medal," Moltzen cheered. "So we've been really happy."
"The team's firing," Wiles eagerly interrupted. "Building off of each other. Team USA is crushing."
As for Wiles and Moltzan, they have 2026 bronze around their necks, but they aren't done yet. Moltzan has two more events looming. Wiles will ski on Thursday in the Alpine Super-G.
