Worlds profiles: Lights on Lara Gut

There aren’t many places in Europe Lara Gut can go without being stopped and asked for an autograph or a photo. In her home country of Switzerland, she is a regular celebrity. After starting her World Cup career just a year ago with a podium finish in the St. Moritz downhill and a fifth place in the following day’s super G, the little blond 17-year-old who is always smiling is setting the World Cup on fire this season.

She started the season with a fifth in the Soelden giant slalom, then followed up with a sixth in La Molina and her first victory back home in the St. Moritz super G, also taking fifth in super-combined. She was back on the podium in third place at the Semmering GS, then sixth in Maribor and in the Cortina SG. By the time she reached the World Championships in Val d’Isere, it was obvious to everyone in the world of ski racing that she just might be the next big thing. She confirmed that idea by winning two silver medals in downhill and super-combined.

Before leaving Val d’Isere on Friday, Gut answered a few questions about her racing success, her life back home and what it’s like to be a celebrity.
There aren’t many places in Europe Lara Gut can go without being stopped and asked for an autograph or a photo. In her home country of Switzerland, she is a regular celebrity. After starting her World Cup career just a year ago with a podium finish in the St. Moritz downhill and a fifth place in the following day’s super G, the little blond 17-year-old who is always smiling is setting the World Cup on fire this season.

She started the season with a fifth in the Soelden giant slalom, then followed up with a sixth in La Molina and her first victory back home in the St. Moritz super G, also taking fifth in super-combined. She was back on the podium in third place at the Semmering GS, then sixth in Maribor and in the Cortina SG. By the time she reached the World Championships in Val d’Isere, it was obvious to everyone in the world of ski racing that she just might be the next big thing. She confirmed that idea by winning two silver medals in downhill and super-combined.

Before leaving Val d’Isere on Friday, Gut answered a few questions about her racing success, her life back home and what it’s like to be a celebrity. 

How do you like being a celebrity?

Sometimes it’s fun but I don’t feel like a star. It’s often strange because I feel like I was before. I want to do my thing like before and I can’t. Sure, it’s fun and it’s nice when everyone knows me and asks me something, but I don’t like when I have five or six photographers around me asking, “Can you smile?” It’s not my thing.

Does it feel like you have no privacy?

Yeah, sometimes. But I have my team, so they do a [good] job. If I need my time and privacy, I can find it.

When did people begin to recognize you as a ski star?

Last year I did just a podium in St. Moritz, so everybody talks like, “maybe it’s because she knows the slope” and everything. Now I did two medals and I won a race, so for me, it’s not just a day. I can do it more than just one time.

So, how did it feel to you and your own idea of success when you were up on the championship podium with those two silvers?

It was crazy. There on the podium it was really crazy. Now it’s fantastic. I can confirm it.

Who are your favorite skiers?

When I was young, I trained with Contreras (Maria Jose Rienda) from Spain, so if I’m fast now in GS, sure because I could learn so much from Maria. Another girl I have a nice feeling [about] is Renate Goetschl. I trained this summer with her.

What is your life like when you’re home?

I’m not so much at home. If I’m at home, I stay and train or go with my brothers somewhere. But it happens that I’m in town and [someone] asks me for a picture. I try to do one and go away so that nobody sees.

What other activities do you like besides skiing?

I like sport – soccer and hockey. I like to read books. Just now I like to stay with my family and brother. But I try to ski. I do a little bit of other stuff in the summer, but I’m every time training for skiing in the morning, afternoon …. all the time.

What is your big goal as a ski racer?

I don’t know. I want to just have fun. If I’m fast, it’s even better. I know it’s not easy to do every time well, but the more important thing is to have fun … then everything will be easier.