Alice Robinson Returns to Sölden With Giant Slalom in Focus

Alice Robinson / Sölden 2019 / GEPA pictures

Seven years after her breakthrough win at 17, Alice Robinson returns to Sölden ready to win races and contend at the highest level. She won that race on Völkl skis and now races on HEAD. This weekend, she’ll try to win again on the Rettenbach glacier.

Building a legacy

The New Zealander doesn’t turn 25 until December. She still has the chance to be one of the most decorated ski racers of her generation.

While she finished last season fifth in the World Cup giant slalom standings, Robinson is a consistent contender.

Robinson won her first World Cup super-G race in St. Moritz last December. Since her 2019 Sölden win, she has earned seven World Cup victories and 24 podiums. That makes her the most successful woman from outside Europe and North America in World Cup history. The victory marked a turning point in super-G. Robinson ended last season second in the World Cup super-G standings, behind Italian champion Sofia Goggia.

Giant slalom: Robinson’s first love

Robinson has continued to make progress in super-G and even downhill. This summer, she went to Chile for speed training. She chose that instead of staying home to build a more giant slalom-focused program, as she has done throughout her career.

Robinson exclusively told Ski Racing Media ahead of the weekend, “GS is always going to be my main love.” She said a big focus is getting “really consistent in GS … every weekend.”

The super-G progress came unexpectedly: “I’ve had a really great year in super-G last year, kind of unexpectedly.”

Seven years since history

Seven years on, Robinson describes that Sölden win as surreal: “When I think about that day, it was so surreal. I was just a little baby.”

She had just flown to Europe in her last year of high school. She had never been to Sölden, not even just to race, or been in the valley or Ötztal.

Robinson also downplayed the win: “I just went there no idea what I was doing. I came in there with no expectations, no pressure either.”

At 17, she had a bit of talent, she said, and everything went her way that day. “It was very special.”

She added, “It kind of freaks me out a bit that it was seven years ago.”

The 24-year-old also has newfound confidence after struggling with different conditions and different core sets last season. She said the team focused on that during the summer. “I know when I have my timing right and I’m confident, I know that I can be the best in GS,” she said. “It’s just about finding that flow, that timing and nailing the tactics.”

She also spoke about the strength of the GS field throughout her career: “I’ve had tough competitors for sure, but I feel like I’ve always been able to compete with them.”

Love for the Rettenbach

There’s also confidence in Sölden, especially after the two podiums she has achieved at the resort: “I would say it is almost my favourite. I just love it because the Rettenbach is such a scene; that slope is so steep.”

“It’s so in your face for the first race of the year and people are so excited for the winter starting,” she said. “Everyone’s in such a great mood.”

She also spoke about the pressure of the opening race: “Everyone on the tour is so stressed and nervous, which I find super entertaining, the stress, the excitement, the nerves.”

“There’s just a lot of energy, which I think is cool for the first race of the year,” she said. She called Sölden “one of my favourite stops for sure.”

Follow the Skiing Is Believing podcast for the latest daily coverage this weekend in Sölden and throughout the World Cup season.