American Slalom Specialist Patrick Kenney Will Race on HEAD Skis This Winter

The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) Alpine World Cup season is just around the corner. And a rising American star will be rocking some new skis this winter.

Slalom specialist Patrick Kenney recently announced he will compete on HEAD skis this winter as he aims for his first career World Cup podium. As a part of one of the world’s biggest skiing brands, the Hingham, Massachusetts, native joins an elite World Cup Rebels team stacked with some of the best alpine skiers in the world.

“Let’s go @head_skis,” the 29-year-old wrote in his Instagram announcement.

Kenney’s switch to HEAD comes just four days after announcing his departure from his former ski sponsor, Völkl. He spent five years with the German ski brand, making his first World Cup start on its skis. Kenney expressed gratitude for his former sponsor, saying he is “forever grateful” for Völkl’s support in the earlier parts of his professional career. But with his departure from Völkl in the rearview mirror, Kenney now turns his attention to preparing for World Cup competition on new skis with new teammates.

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Kenney’s signing comes as a part of HEAD’s push to onboard elite talent ahead of the 2026-27 season. HEAD previously signed Norway’s Henrik Kristoffersen, Italy’s Christof Innerhofer, and New Zealand’s Alice Robinson earlier this offseason, and the addition of Kenney marks another strong addition to an already stacked team.

In addition to HEAD’s new young skiers, Kenney’s move to the Austrian brand puts him in the company of all-time greats like Linsey Vonn, Lara Gut-Behrami, Camille Rast, and Wendy Holdener. As Kenney continues his search for his first World Cup podium, a roster spot on the HEAD team means connections with HEAD’s top dogs, who can give the American valuable advice as he enters the season.

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While Kenney’s signing with HEAD signifies skiing success, his rise to the sport’s highest level has been anything but conventional. He grew up skiing at Burke Mountain Academy, and met the criteria for joining the U.S. Ski Team his senior year of high school. He was cut from the team after two years. But instead of giving up the sport entirely, Kenney took the college route. He attended the University of New Hampshire, where he competed in NCAA races and earned his degree in Economics. He would finish his college career as the captain of his team and as a two-time All-American.

Following his successful collegiate career, Kenney knew he had the skills to compete at a high level. He joined Global Racing, an elite international ski team that develops skiers for national teams. But Kenney’s time with Global Racing was not easy. He relied heavily on donors, sponsors, and even a self-run merch line to help fund travel and competition.

The American finally had his breakthrough in the 2024-25 season. He scored his first World Cup points in 2024 at a Palisades Tahoe race in front of family and friends. He was 26 at the time, an age when many independent skiers choose to retire. For Kenney, earning those points became the most memorable moment of his career.

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Throughout the 2024-25 season, he qualified for three second runs and scored points twice—23rd in Adelboden and 22nd in Kranjska Gora. He also represented the U.S. at the World Championships in Saalbach. The 2024-25 season has been the best of his career so far.

That spring, Kenney was re-offered his spot on the U.S. Ski Team for the 2025-26 season. He continues to race for the U.S. team and enters the 2026-27 season as a member of the Alpine B squad.

With new skis beneath his feet, Kenney enters another season of competition in search of a podium at the highest level of skiing. As a member of the HEAD World Cup Rebels, he joins a group of elite skiers who are familiar with success. Kenney will look to find fresh success himself.

The 2026-27 FIS Alpine World Cup season begins with giant slalom on Oct. 25 in Sölden, Austria.