GEPA pictures and family photo supplied by Johannes Strolz

Johannes Strolz, a recent three-time Olympic medalist from the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing, is making waves in the skiing world. He won two gold medals in the Alpine Combined and the Mixed Team Parallel, along with a silver in the Slalom. His father, Hubert Strolz, is also an Olympic champion, having won gold in the Combined and silver in the Giant Slalom at the 1988 Calgary Olympics. Johannes hails from the remote Austrian village of Warth, located at the top of the Arlberg Pass.

Background and Personal Experience

Can you describe your early experiences with skiing? How did you balance directed skiing activities with free play with friends and family?

Johannes Strolz began his skiing journey with a lot of free play. He fondly recalls, “My early experiences with skiing were just playing around, hanging out with friends, doing a lot of free skiing, jumping and skiing beside the groomed slopes.” His goal to become a professional athlete emerged much later, around 13. Until then, it was all about fun and enjoyment.

Pros of Early Professional Programs

What are the benefits of having more professional programs for young skiers? How do these programs contribute to the development of young athletes?

Strolz acknowledges the advantages of professional programs, emphasizing that they help young athletes develop professional habits early on. He explains, “They get educated in certain patterns of movements for dry land training and so on. For example, I think that’s a big advantage with the barbell.” However, he stresses that the primary goal should always be long-term development, not short-term success. “The main goal has to be developing young athletes to prepare them for the big goals,” he adds.

Concerns and Challenges

Are you concerned about the increasing professionalism in youth ski racing, especially for children?

Strolz expresses mixed feelings about the increasing professionalism in youth ski racing. While he sees the benefits, he warns against focusing too much on short-term goals. “The worst thing that can happen to young athletes is that the focus of the training is to be the fastest this season. That’s very dangerous in the long term,” he says.

He highlights the importance of free skiing and developing a broad spectrum of movements without the constant input of coaches. “When you are skiing at the Europa Cup or NorAm level or when you go further to the World Cup level, you need those skills. You get them from free skiing, jumping, and skiing between trees and just having fun. I think that’s so important for World Cup athletes to have a wide spectrum of movements and the best way to achieve those is to just ski without any gates, without any training or coaching input. Just do it. Just do it how you like to do it,” he advises.

How do you think the higher costs of joining professional ski clubs at an entry level impact the accessibility of the sport for young families?

The rising costs of joining professional ski clubs concern Strolz. He notes, “It is getting more and more expensive for a lot of families when they want to have their children join a ski club.” He emphasizes the need to find solutions to make skiing accessible for a broader range of families.

Does the early focus on regimented training affect children’s natural love for skiing and their opportunity to enjoy the sport without competitive pressure?

Strolz believes that while children naturally enjoy competition, there is a danger in too much regimented training. “With increasing professionalism and focus on short-term goals, there’s a danger that children get drilled to do things they don’t like, which can frighten them away from their natural love for skiing,” he warns. He advocates for a balance between professionalism and allowing kids to be kids.

Balancing Development and Enjoyment

What strategies or practices could help balance young skiers’ development while ensuring they also have time to play and enjoy skiing without the focus on competition?

Strolz emphasizes the importance of ample free skiing time. Reflecting on his youth, he shares, “I was in the privileged position to be able to just grab my skis, leave the house, and stay all afternoon on the slopes.” He believes young athletes should focus on their own development rather than short-term success. “They have to learn how to be the best versions of themselves and how to face challenges,” he advises.

What is the main goal or reason you would send your kids to a ski club?

Strolz stresses that the main goal of sending kids to a ski club should not be to win the most races. “The most important thing is that they are having fun, that they’re having a good time, that they learn a lot of valuable lessons for their lives and that they become good skiers. They then have a wide base for further steps, whatever they choose to do as adults. These experiences are valuable for everyday life and hopefully, many of them will become professional athletes,” he concludes.

Learning to Face Adversity

One more thing came to my mind.

Strolz brings up a significant discussion in Germany and Austria about not counting goals in football (soccer), not giving medals and prizes at ski races, and not doing rankings to prevent children from getting frustrated with losing. He shares, “To be honest, I’m not sure if that’s the right way. Instead of keeping young athletes away from losing, I think it would be much more effective and important to teach them how to face adversity, how to face losses, and how to handle winning. Why don’t we try to give them the tools to handle those situations?” He acknowledges that while it may be easier said than done, it’s crucial to address this issue thoughtfully.

Future Outlook

How do you envision the future of youth ski racing? What changes or improvements would you like to see in how young athletes train and develop?

Looking ahead, Strolz hopes for a balanced approach in youth ski racing. He wishes young athletes to have fun and be guided by good coaches. “My biggest wish is that they have a good time, learn many lessons for their lives, and become good skiers,” he says. He stresses the importance of focusing on long-term development and being patient with young athletes.

In conclusion, Johannes Strolz provides valuable insights into the world of youth ski racing, emphasizing a balanced approach that fosters both development and enjoyment. His experiences and perspective highlight the need for training programs that focus on long-term goals while ensuring young athletes retain their natural love for skiing.