Lauren Macuga Saalbach: GEPA photos
Lauren Macuga’s Breakout: Stars, Pace, and a Clear Olympic Goal
Born to Symbolize
Born on the Fourth of July, Lauren Macuga has embraced her American roots with patriotic aptitude and world-class velocity. Her now-iconic stars-and-stripes bucket hat and end space outfits started as a enjoyable tribute to her birthday and blossomed into a private trademark. “I simply kinda love carrying all of it,” she says. After incomes her first World Cup factors, she determined the gear would seem each time she scored. Since then, the gear has made common appearances—and introduced a lighthearted, enjoyable vitality to the customarily severe, high-pressure atmosphere of the World Cup.
From One Level to the Podium
Macuga’s rise has been speedy. She earned her first World Cup level in downhill in St. Moritz in 2022. One yr later, she certified for the World Cup Finals in super-G and completed fifth within the Kvitfjell super-G. This previous season, she scored in 15 races throughout three disciplines, reached her first World Cup podium in downhill, gained her first super-G in St. Anton, and earned bronze on the Saalbach World Championships in super-G.
Wanting again, Macuga credit a shift in mindset and energy. “I took a unique method to all the pieces and began figuring out more durable and with goal,” she says. “It actually drove me to discover a mindset to realize probably the most each coaching day.”
A Season Past Expectations
“I’m blown away,” Macuga says of her 2024–25 marketing campaign. “It’s simply loopy to consider how a lot I’ve dreamed about this.” Within the midst of her success, she by no means stopped having enjoyable. “That’s the very best half—I used to be simply having enjoyable doing one thing I really like all season.” Her infectious pleasure and energetic outlook made her a favourite amongst followers and teammates.
The Olympic 12 months Plan
Macuga isn’t seeking to overhaul something because the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics method. “If one thing works, why change it?” she says. “I do know what works for me.” Whereas she could tweak her power program, she plans to stay to what introduced her this far.
Coaching at House, Powered by COE
Staying in Park Metropolis and coaching on the USSS Middle of Excellence (COE) offers Macuga an edge. “It’s unbelievable… I can ask questions on a regular basis and push myself day by day,” she says. “I feel it helps me learn to be a greater athlete.”
Pace Sisters and Shared Success
Macuga highlights the group chemistry within the girls’s velocity group as a key to success. “We’ve got a lot enjoyable collectively and actually want the very best for one another,” she says. “Our entire group pulled one another alongside, and it’s actually enjoyable. All of us actually get pleasure from touring collectively.” Her pure positivity and group spirit have helped elevate not simply her personal snowboarding, however the vitality of the group.
Loving the Course of
Her favourite a part of ski racing? “Getting higher day by day,” she says. “Generally it’s irritating, however each coaching day I get a chance to unravel that drawback.” She additionally loves “the snow, the chilly, and going quick”—and she will be able to’t wait to get again on snow this August.
Dabbling in Big Slalom
On the Stifel Solar Valley World Cup Finals, Macuga scored her first GS factors. “It was nice to see how the tech group features and the way the vibes are at a World Cup tech race,” she says. Whereas velocity stays her focus, she hopes GS will grow to be a real second occasion sooner or later. “For now I’ll proceed to dabble.”
A Second Shared with Mother
Her World Championship bronze in Saalbach turned much more particular together with her mom within the end. “To have her there for such a particular second was greater than I may want for,” Macuga says. “I’m so fortunate to have had her there to rejoice.”
Racing on House Snow
Macuga cherished the vitality at Beaver Creek and Solar Valley. “It was unbelievable to see the quantity of those who got here out,” she says. Whereas the Solar Valley downhill was canceled, she had sturdy impressions of the course. “It wasn’t as a lot gliding, however it was enjoyable. There have been plenty of actually cool technical options that aren’t featured as usually on the ladies’s aspect.”
Subsequent Cease: Cortina
Macuga turns 23 on July 4, 2025, and heads into the Olympic season as one of many brightest medal hopefuls of the Stifel U.S. Ski Crew. Together with her love for the game, sturdy group round her, and mindset geared towards progress, she’s not simply chasing outcomes—she’s charging towards them, all whereas bringing somewhat extra pleasure to the mountain.
