Steen Olsen and Sarrizan / GEPA pictures
Steen Olsen back on snow
Alpin Norway shared video on April 29 showing Steen Olsen preparing to return to training in Kvitfjell, the venue that hosted the 2025–26 World Cup Finals in March.
“I haven’t been on skis since October. That’s almost half a year,” Steen Olsen said.
The 24-year-old added with a smile, “It will be interesting to see if I can still stay on my feet. But everything should actually go well.”
After getting back on snow, he said, “It just feels good to get a feeling again, to lean into the curves, to carve and to cruise.”
Before the injury
Steen Olsen has risen rapidly on the World Cup circuit, consistently challenging the very best in technical disciplines
He won both slalom and giant slalom gold at the World Junior Championships in Panorama, British Columbia, before securing his first World Cup victory in slalom at Palisades Tahoe, California, just over a year later.
During the 2024–25 season, he added two giant slalom wins in Sölden and Schladming, establishing himself as one of the few skiers capable of beating Marco Odermatt in GS over the past four seasons.
Impact on the GS season
His absence raised questions about whether Odermatt would again dominate the discipline.
Instead, Steen Olsen’s former Norwegian teammate, now racing for Brazil, Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, edged the Swiss star to claim the giant slalom title, highlighting just how competitive the discipline remained even without one of its top challengers.
The injury timeline
The three-time World Cup winner missed the entire 2025–26 season due to a knee injury.
Initially, Steen Olsen delayed his season start, opting out of the October races in Sölden and the early-season technical events in Colorado. However, shortly before Christmas, he confirmed he would undergo knee surgery and miss the entire campaign.
At the time, he told NRK the decision was “extremely difficult,” particularly in an Olympic season.
Even then, his outlook remained clear: “I’ll be back next year, stronger and more experienced than ever.”
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Sarrazin reaches key milestone in recovery
French speed specialist Cyprien Sarrazin also marked a significant step forward this week.
In December 2025, Sarrazin began his gradual return to snow. On April 30, he trained super-G in Val d’Isère for the first time since his crash during a downhill training run in Bormio in December 2024.
A dominant stretch before the crash
Sarrazin’s injury came at the height of his career.
During the 2023–24 season, he won the Bormio downhill and the Wengen Super-G before delivering a memorable downhill double in Kitzbühel.
Across that campaign, he recorded nine podiums in four disciplines, including five victories in three different disciplines, establishing himself as a genuine overall speed contender alongside Marco Odermatt, Vincent Kriechmayr and Dominik Paris.
The speed scene without him
Sarrazin’s absence opened the door for a new wave of speed talent.
Franjo von Allmen, Giovanni Franzoni and Alexis Monney all broke through, claiming major victories and reshaping the competitive landscape in downhill and Super-G over the past two seasons.
A clear message
Sarrazin shared a brief update on social media, posting “Step by step” alongside footage of his run on the OK piste in Val d’Isère.
The message was simple but direct: a steady return, with the goal of competing again at the highest level.
Looking ahead
While both Steen Olsen and Sarrazin remain some distance from full race form, their return to snow marks a significant milestone.
With roughly six months until the World Championship season begins, both athletes now have time to rebuild strength, regain confidence and prepare for a return to competition.
This week’s developments offer clear encouragement that two of the sport’s most exciting racers are moving closer to the start gate once again.
Click the image to play the video
Information courtesy of Instagram: Alpin Norway and Cyprien Sarrazin
About the Author: Matt Garcka
