BEAVER CREEK, Colo. — When the Alpine world ski championships came to the United States this month for the first time since 1999, the 13-day event was quickly defined by two competitive challenges taking place simultaneously.
Could American ski racers back up their strong performance at the 2014 Sochi Olympics with another convincing showing, even with the worldwide ski community watching more closely than ever?
And could a coalition of United States ski racing leaders show that the sport — aided by sophisticated broadcast technology — could capture a larger foothold in the crowded American sporting marketplace?
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At the final competition of the championships on Sunday, the men’s slalom, fans packed a four-story grandstand. Virtually every race drew capacity crowds, and in many cases, a few thousand fans hiked up the hill to get even closer to the action.
Standing in the snow alongside the racecourse Sunday, one spectator held a sign above her head. It read: “Thanks for the thrills! Come back soon.”
A version of this article appears in print on February 16, 2015, on page D5 of the New York edition with the headline: U.S. Revels in Victories and Its Rising Status in a Sport. Order Reprints| Today’s Paper|Subscribe
