Grange to Fischer

After a long and successful career on Rossignol products, Frenchman Jean-Baptiste Grange is switching to Fischer.

Fischer made the announcement Tuesday (April 10). Grange was the World Cup slalom champion in 2009 before injury sidelined him during the 2010 Olympic season. He finished second in the slalom standings in 2011, but did not meet his own expectation this past season.

“I have skied with Rossignol all my life so far and have celebrated some great success,” Grange said. “I am now approaching the second half of my career and want to try something new.”

Grange, 27, said tests on the Fischer skis helped convince him to make the switch. “I haven’t as well as I have done in the ski tests for a long while, especially in giant slalom. The skis perform exceptionally well.”

Grange is facing surgery on his right knee to repair a lacerated ligament. “I will begin training again toward the end of the summer,” he said. “The plan is for me to get back to racing again at Levi, hopefully.”