Gut-Behrami, Feller, Huetter, Shiffrin and Odermatt: GEPA pictures

Sölden, Austria

Federica Brignone and Alexander Steen Olsen delivered masterful winning performances in a thrilling opening weekend of Audi FIS World Cup ski racing.

FIS Race Talk: Stars, Laughter, and Reflection

Prior to the races on the Rettenbach Glacier course, the star-studded quintuplet of Lara Gut-Behrami (SUI), Manuel Feller (AUT), Conny Huetter (AUT), Mikaela Shiffrin (USA), and Marco Odermatt (SUI), gathered for an innovative new event hosted by FIS. The five reigning Crystal Globe winners fielded predominantly lighthearted questions as FIS Race Talk went LIVE across FIS TV on Friday, Oct. 25, in Sölden, Austria.

Ski racing fans, teammates, and fellow racers submitted questions online, peppering them throughout the session. The media and fan-friendly one-hour program replaced the outdated FIS Forum of recent years. FIS Race Talk live-streamed from the swanky Sky Bar Lounge at The Secret Sölden hotel.

For his opening question to the elite racers, Host Nick Fellows asked, Have any of you lost or broken any of your Crystal Globes?’

Shiffrin somewhat reluctantly raised her hand. “One broke traveling to the U.S., but that wasn’t my fault. The five-time overall World Cup champion admitted, “One fell out of a car, and that definitely was my fault.”

Feller spoke up next: “I didn’t really lose it, but it wasn’t in the same place I was expecting it to be after the party the next day,” said the Austrian World Cup slalom champion, making the audience laugh. Fellows quickly jumped in: “We’ll leave it at that.”

Click images to enlarge.

Gut-Behrami Reflects on Motivation and Family

Gut-Behrami—who withdrew from Saturday’s race due to a knee issue—faced questions about how she maintains her motivation for racing and whether she plans to compete until Milan Cortina 2026.

“I don’t know. I hope so. If I’m healthy, it would be nice to race again in Cortina just because it would be the first and only Games where my family could be with me,” said 33-year-old Gut-Behrami. “It would be an amazing end to a career, not talking about results, but the fact that I could have kids and family around me.”

Fellows delivered another online question from fans asking Shiffrin which globe means the most to her. After much deliberation and pondering, the 97-time World Cup winner declared: “my first overall globe,” referring to her 2016-17 season, a title she won at age 21.

Odermatt Talks Celebrations and Keeping the Journey Fun

Returning to the frivolity, they asked 37-time World Cup race winner Odermatt—known to indulge in a few beverages after big victories—how he handles hangover victory celebrations.

“For sure, you need one day in between from what I’ve experienced. But for me, it’s always important to enjoy those moments,” said the Swiss two-time defending overall World Cup champion.

“My first goal, for sure, is skiing fast, but then I want to enjoy the journey, every race, and when you win, you want to feel those emotions and celebrate with the people around you. For me, this is just as important as the next race.”

Spotlight Longines Rising Stars: Ljutić and Steen Olsen

Croatian Zrinka Ljutić, 20, and Norwegian Steen Olsen, 23, were invited as the next guests, both being named Longines Rising Stars for 2023/24.

At least one of Steen Olsen’s answers foreshadowed his resounding triumph in Sölden, as he led a Norwegian sweep in Sunday’s GS race.

Norway Sweeps in Sunday’s GS Race, Led by Steen Olsen

Steen Olsen, who previously notched one World Cup slalom win in Palisades Tahoe last season, revealed that he plans to expand his race repertoire. He noted that his versatile ‘Attacking Vikings’ teammates constantly inspire him.

“I’m not ready to be a specialist in one discipline,” Steen Olsen emphasized. “I really enjoy combining more disciplines, having that challenge and not making every day the same. So, I will keep going with slalom and GS and maybe add some super-G in there.”

Steen Olsen dominated Sunday’s GS, winning 0.65 seconds ahead of his veteran teammate Henrik Kristoffersen with Atle Lie McGrath third, on a proud day for the Norwegian Ski Team.

Vion Addresses Key Topics in Alpine Skiing

International Ski Federation Secretary General Michel Vion met with gathered media, openly addressing various hot topics and issues upon the conclusion of the Alpine Talk program.

FIS Wild Card Rule: A Boost for Returning Legends

International Ski Federation Secretary General Michel Vion met with gathered media, openly addressing various hot topics and issues upon the conclusion of the Alpine Talk program.

Two days before Marcel Hirscher made his highly anticipated comeback after a five-year retirement, the French ski official elaborated upon the parameters of the FIS Wildcard that afforded the eight-time World Cup champion the opportunity. The FIS rule 3.2.1 grants retired athletes who have won overall or discipline globes with a minimum of five victories, Olympic gold medals, or world championship titles to return to competition on a race-by-race basis.

Vion dispelled rumors that officials created the rule specifically for the Austrian great, who skied for the Netherlands on Sunday. Hirscher clocked the third-fastest afternoon run.

“To avoid any confusion or misunderstanding, the idea for the wildcard was adopted one year ago, so nothing to do with Marcel Hirscher,” Vion said. “If retired top athletes are an Olympic or globe winner, why don’t we allow them at the start, like in golf or tennis? So, the idea came in the spring of 2023.

“Perhaps Marcel Hircher had the same idea before us—when he announced he would pursue a comeback. It’s a great opportunity for us and the ski world. There were some complaints about where he would start—31. Just small details for us.

“Lindsey Vonn may have some ideas also—it would be huge for the ski world. I think the idea is good, so let’s have it.”

Future of Centralized TV Rights for Ski Racing

Vion also provided an update on FIS president Johan Eliasch’s promise to institute centralized TV rights for all national ski associations. He noted that negotiations will begin once again in a few days.

“We started two years ago, so it is brand new. In any case, this centralization should start 2026-27, so we still have some time,” Vion said.

“We still have some problems to solve—we are closer to finding solutions. There are some court cases, but the ski family is smart enough to find solutions. It is in the interest of everybody.

“We understand there are different opinions, different needs, so let’s keep working, and we are quite confident we will find a solution one day. We have to adapt some rules to make this centralization happen.

“No one is against the idea, which is important,” the French ski official emphasized. “The fact that we can sell a big product will be in the interest of everyone, even the big countries.”

Odermatt Honored with Skieur D’Or 2024

Marco Odermatt was presented yet another trophy upon the conclusion of the Race Talk program—the prestigious Skieur D’Or 2024 Serge Lange Trophy for the 2023/24 season. The International Association of Ski Journalists (AIJS) awards it annually.

Now in its 62nd year, the award not only exemplifies Odermatt’s outstanding race performances—13 World Cup victories and four more Crystal Globes— it also recognizes his friendly demeanor and generosity toward fans, fellow athletes and the international media.

The 27-year-old star is closing in on his idol Pirmin Zurbriggen on multiple fronts. Odermatt is just four victories away from equaling Zurbriggen’s Swiss-leading total of 41 World Cup wins. Perhaps he can also best the legend’s four Skieur D’Or awards.

Follow Brian on Instagram – brian.pinelli