There are always teams within a team. Even the best programs have small units that make up the whole. The Stifel US Alpine men’s speed team is no exception. The ‘three amigos’ of Steven Nyman, Bryce Bennett, and Leo Mussi have much more than Fischer skis to connect them. They have mutual respect.

Leo Mussi is the Fischer ski serviceman first assigned to Steven Nyman for the 2006-07 season. Leo was best known for his work with fellow Italian, the likable Kristian Ghedina. Ghedina and Mussi shared 13 World Cup victories before Ghedina retired. Notably, their shared record includes a victory in the first Beaver Creek Birds of Prey downhill in 1997.  

Perfect timing

As fate would have it, when Ghedina retired, Nyman was an emerging talent with the US World Cup program. Although Nyman was young, Fischer Alpine Director Siegi Voglreiter saw something special and used Ghedina’s retirement as an opportunity to provide him with their best technician. 

Consequently, a working relationship has turned into a friendship based on mutual trust, communication and respect. Although a few other US athletes have come and gone, it wasn’t until Bryce Bennett signed with Fischer in 2015 that their family was complete. 

Although Mussi had experienced four Val Gardena Gröden downhill victories with Ghedina, he has added three more with Nyman and one last season with Bennett. The three share a special feeling for the Italian classic under the shadow of the Saslong. 

Mussi remembers when Voglreiter proposed he work with Nyman. “I was excited. Working with the US was a new experience. Previously, my entire career was with Italian racers. It wasn’t a little change. It was huge. But it was exciting. It was nice.”

Young Nyman was honored by Fischer’s respect

Steve Nyman was twenty-five and fast, but getting one of the world’s best technicians as a young American was a big break. He remembers thinking, “Wow, this is wild. I am going to have factory service. Fischer is assigning one of their best to be my technician. Ghedina was a hero of mine, and the thought of having his serviceman was exciting. My immediate concern was, does he speak English? Siegi Voglreiter, the alpine director, assured me he was their best man who spoke English.”

Nyman remembers their first camp together. Fischer had just come out with a race boot, and Nyman had been on Nordica. He had won a Junior World’s Slalom title on the boot, scored his first World Cup points on Nordica, and won a Europa Cup downhill in black boots. The Nordica boot had worked well for him. However, he was getting bigger and stronger, and the Fischer boot offered advantages for a tall man; Nyman is 6’4. Leo was there for the testing, and the two immediately realized they could work well together. They were a team from day one, and that relationship proved good for both. 

Bennett joins the program

Nyman is tall; Bennett is even taller. As teammates and friends, Nyman had tried to convince Bennett of the benefits of Fischer for a tall man. Finally, Bennett eventually listened. In 2015, he seamlessly joined the program, and they became Fischer’s ‘three amigos’. 

 Nyman and Mussi are starting their 22nd season working together. Mussi says,” People mention the longevity of our working relationship a lot; I would admit It is exciting to think about change. Changing athletes and teams, but when I am with Bryce and Steven, there are no regrets. But I know it is unusual to be with the same guys for a long time, so I understand the comments. It is best when the athlete and serviceman get along. I have been lucky to work with some friendly athletes, and being able to get along is the key point in my mind. We get along.”

Fischer’s Mussi is professional and more

Nyman says Mussi has a few crucial characteristics. He mentions that Mussi is a true professional. He keeps detailed records of which skis and tunes worked well on what kind of snow, slope, and where. Additionally, he says his knowledge and delivery of that information gives him confidence even when Nyman is not at his best. 

“He knows me so well, and he knows my history. Often, when I doubt myself, he will remind me of how good I am and can provide evidence to support his belief in me. I trust him completely and know he has my back and has put the work in. When he says things are going to be fine, I believe him. I can make things very complicated and drive him nuts, but he has a way of bringing me back to the simple things that matter. He also understands how to use the latest technology to benefit our program. He is a professional.”

Nyman and Bennett agree that they spend more time with Leo than with their families. That said, they both refer to him as a father figure – someone they appreciate and consider a trusted friend. While Mussi thinks of them as good people, he says he will do anything to help them succeed. This week they are at the event that has brought them all victory. Val Gardena/Gröden in Italy is where the ‘three amigos’ have experienced significant success. 

The hotel that feels like home

Bennet says, “The environment is great for us.” We stay at a hotel that makes us feel like locals. Babs runs the Alpino Plan, and she is like a mom. She is a larger-than-life person. You are an instant friend the very first time you meet her. She makes us feel so comfortable. I’ll ride or die with Babs.” He continues, “Also, the hill suits me. Even if you have a bad run there, you get to the bottom, and the only thing in your mind is, that was fun.”

Bennet shares, “When you leave the hotel, there is a walkway with plaques. They are in the center of a bike path. Every 50 feet, there is a plaque with a winner’s name. I see Steven’s name three times when I go for a walk. It is so cool.” Then, with a hint of humility, Bennett states, “My name will be on a plaque this year. That’s going to be pretty wild.”

Three-time winner Steven Nyman says, “I liked Val Gardena the first time I saw it. I could see where I needed to initiate and how I needed to move over the terrain. It always leaves me wanting more.”

Mussi shares his expertise

Nyman, however, credits Mussi for his Val Gardena success. “Leo is honest with me and has provided me with secrets on how to approach the course. He might’ve gotten the information from Ghedina; I don’t know. When I started working with him, I took meticulous notes every time I talked with him. It helped me know what I needed to do. I’ve passed a lot of Leo’s information on to Bryce. Actually, to the whole team.”

It is well known that for a skier, their serviceman is a critically essential member of their support staff. Both athletes mentioned Mussi’s tremendous value to them, and they cherish their relationship. 

This week Fischer’s ‘three amigos’ will be in Val Gardena Gröden to compete in a place they all share great memories. Bennett is the defending champion. Whatever the outcome, the ‘amigos’ will feel grateful to have the opportunity to visit a site where they feel at home with friends.