World Cup skiing starts in Sölden

The World Cup season in alpine skiing has officially begun in Sölden, Austria, with athletes preparing for what is anticipated to be a demanding and competitive season. The event marks the first major competition of the year for skiers across the globe.

FIS undergoes leadership changes

The International Ski Federation (FIS) has experienced significant leadership changes during the summer. Alexander Ospelt from Liechtenstein became the new president in June, defeating Johan Eliasch, who had faced criticism for poor communication and financial management. Ospelt has promised to improve transparency and is exploring ways to increase FIS revenue while cutting costs.

Leadership challenges and resignations

Ospelt’s leadership has not been without challenges, as some of his early decisions have caused confusion among stakeholders. Markus Waldner, the director of the men's World Cup, resigned in early October, stating he lacked the energy to manage the pressures of his role amid the ongoing changes at FIS.

Mikaela Shiffrin shifts focus

American skier Mikaela Shiffrin, known for her dominance in slalom, is making a strategic shift for the new season. She plans to compete in disciplines such as giant slalom and super-G, where she has not won since December 2023 and December 2022, respectively. She will start with the giant slalom event on Saturday.

Strong competition in giant slalom

Shiffrin will face strong competition from Austrian Julia Scheib, who won her first race in Sölden last year, and German Emma Aicher, who narrowly missed securing the globe in the discipline last season. Both athletes are expected to challenge her in the upcoming event.

Men’s competition highlights

Among the men, Swiss skier Marco Odermatt is aiming for a sixth consecutive crystal globe. He will face Brazilian Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, an Olympic champion and winner of the discipline’s globe. However, Odermatt has been affected by a hip injury during the summer, and the weather forecast predicts snowfall over the weekend, which could impact performance.

Notable absences from the event

Several top athletes are missing from the event. Federica Brignone of Italy, a double Olympic champion, is recovering from knee surgery in late August. Sofia Goggia, another Italian star, had her summer training disrupted by two viruses, including chikungunya. American Lindsey Vonn, who had returned to elite competition last winter, is still recovering from a fall during the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics but has not ruled out a return in the near future.