Slalom Success: Chasing Dreams with Slovenian World Cup Skier Neja Dvornik on the Skiing is Believing Podcast

Featured Image: Slovenian World Cup slalom skier, Neja Dvornik. Credit: GEPA

In episode 25 of Skiing is Believing’s summer series, Matt and Alan spoke to one of the young shining lights of this season’s women’s World Cup circuit, a Slovenian slalom skier, Neja Dvornik.

Neja told the Skiing is Believing podcast about her successful season at 23 years old. She achieved three FIS World Cup top tens, the first three of her career, and her first appearance at the World Cup Finals in Saalbach.

When discussing her 2024 season, Neja shared that she had aimed to achieve a season like the one she had. However, she was surprised it happened so early in her World Cup career.

Last season came full circle with her 4th-place finish in the World Cup Finals, just four hundredths of a second off her first World Cup podium.

Likewise, Neja expresses her aspirations for the future, firmly believing that she has the potential to become a World Cup, Olympic, and World Champion.

Additionally, she shared how she plans to expand to a 2-discipline skier by incorporating giant slalom into her calendar.

Neja also spoke on the current situation of skiing in Slovenia and how she hopes to inspire the next generation of ski racers in her country. She said it seems that young people are choosing to compete in different sports, and they want to avoid competition at a young age, which isn’t the case in ski racing. Neja also explains that if you’re Slovenian and not born in the mountains, it is unlikely that you will become a ski racer.

In the rapid-fire question round, Matt asked Neja about her top skiing spot, and the co-hosts were delighted by her response. Stay tuned till the end to find out which mountain she loves the most!

Please let Matt and Alan know what you think of this episode or any other episode via email at mattgarcka.skiingisbelieving@gmail.com. Find them on Instagram @skiingisbelievingpodcast and YouTube.