The 15th World Cup season began in December 1980 in France and concluded in March 1981 in Switzerland. Phil Mahre became the first American to win an overall title, the first of his three consecutive overall titles. Marie-Theres Nadig of Switzerland won the women's overall title. Six-time ladies overall champion Annemarie Moser-Pröll of Austria, who first competed on the World Cup tour in 1969 at age 16, and four-time men's overall champion Gustav Thöni of Italy, who first competed on the World Cup tour in 1970 at age 18, both retired at the end of the 1980 season. After winning the overall title this year, Nadig, who had joined the tour in 1971, also retired. In part to stop this exodus of talent, the International Ski Federation decided to offer a new kind of license to its athletes, called a "B license", which permitted holders to receive sponsorship payments directly (instead of through their federation) but still retain their World Cup eligibility. Calendar Men Ladies Men Overall see complete table In Men's Overall World Cup 1980/81 the best five downhills, best five giant slaloms, best five slaloms and best three combined count. 28 racers had a point deduction. Ingemar Stenmark had 156 points deduction and won 10 races. For the first time he tried to score points in combined and was able to collect 15 points - not enough to win the Overall World Cup. Downhill see complete table In Men's Downhill World Cup 1980/81 the best 5 results count. Six racers had a point deduction, which are given in brackets. Giant Slalom see complete table In Men's Giant Slalom World Cup 1980/81 the best 5 results count. 15 racers had a point deduction, which are given in brackets. Ingemar Stenmark won the cup with maximum points. He won his sixth Giant Slalom World Cup! This record is still unbeaten! Slalom see complete table In Men's Slalom World Cup 1980/81 the best 5 results count. 13 racers had a point deduction, which are given in brackets. Ingemar Stenmark won his seventh Slalom World Cup in a row! This record is still unbeaten! Combined see complete table In Men's Combined World Cup 1980/81 all 5 results count. Ladies Overall see complete table In Women's Overall World Cup 1980/81 the best five downhills, best five giant slaloms, best five slaloms and best three combined count. 19 racers had a point deduction. Marie-Theres