An Austrian razzia and two fixed Swiss places

17.03.2023 - The European Cup downhill finals in Narvik (NOR) ended with surprise winners: in the women's race, 24-year-old Camille Cerrutti from France triumphed, 0.07 seconds ahead of discipline winner Nadine Fest (AUT), while in the men's race, Liechtenstein’s Marco Pfiffner (who is soon to turn 29) finished 0.02 seconds ahead of Nejc Naralocnik, the 24-year-old Slovenian who, thanks to this exploit, leapt ahead in the discipline rankings from 7^th place, thus securing the third fixed place for the 23/24 World Cup. The positions ahead of him went to the duo from the Bernese Oberland who delivered the best Swiss performances in the downhill. 25-year-old Marco Kohler, winner of the overall European Cup and the downhill, and 21-year-old Franjo von Allmen took 4^th and 5^th places in the shortened race which saw 30 competitors finish within 0.99 seconds of each other, they finished +0.09 and +0.15 seconds respectively. 

In the women's event, nothing changed in the top 3 ranking for the discipline. Nadine Fest, who has been outstanding this season, and who also won the two European Cup downhills in Crans-Montana, scored a total of 506 points this season, well ahead of her compatriots Christina Ager (379) and Sabrina Maier (331). Switzerland’s Delia Durrer, who tied in sixth place with Maier in the seventh and final race of the season, remained in fourth place, 25 points behind. This means that in what has been a great World Cup season for Swiss-Ski, no Swiss European Cup skier has managed to secure a permanent place in the top league for next winter, because in the super-G all the top places had been taken by Austrians before the last race. This has not happened in a long time.

Two podiums, but no FIXED PLACE IN THE WORLD CUP 23/24

14.03.2023 - The second day of racing in the European Cup Finals in Narvik (NOR) brought two more podium places for Swiss-Ski, in the slalom this time, but there were also some disappointments. Nicole Good and Mélanie Meillard, who had already placed third in Monday's giant slalom, took the podium places to the left and right of France’s Marie Lamure, 0.43 and 0.58 seconds behind her as she celebrated her third win of the season. As for the final decision in the discipline, with five skiers still in the running, they were unfortunately already out of the picture before this tenth race. The battle for three fixed places in the 2023/24 World Cup remained unchanged at the top. Despite Beatrice Sola (ITA/419 points) and Cornelia Öhland (SWE/410) dropping out of the race, they remain in second and third position behind Moa Boström Mussener (SWE/477), who was sixth today. Nicole Good (258) improved once again, to finish in a final 7^th place (Meillard/134 was 19^th).

In the men's race, where seven competitors were fighting for the last two fixed places behind the already confirmed winner Halvor Hilde Gunleiksrud (NOR), the day winner Joaquim Salarich (ESP) and Steven Amiez (FRA), 0.61 seconds behind him, were all smiles. Amiez, kept his overall second place with 374 points, while Salarich, who is only 19 years old, overtook Tanguy Nef (290) and Sandro Simonet (280) to take third place when he scored his 100th point, giving him 370 in total. After the first run, the situation looked promising for the Swiss. Simonet (2^nd) and Nef (11^th) were on the right tracks, but they were both eliminated in the second run, as were Noel von Grünigen and Gunleiksrud. The 23-year-old Norwegian, who already has 397 points in the bag, was unfazed.

EUROPEAN CUP FINAL  - SWISS IN PLACES 1 TO 3 ! - MELANIE MEILLARD MISSES OUT ON A FIXED PLACE

13.03.2023 - The final European Cup races in Narvik (NOR), which began with the giant slaloms, got off to a good start for Swiss-Ski, with third places for Mélanie Meillard and Josua Mettler. In the men's races, Mettler won both the overall and discipline rankings. The fact that 24-year-old Mettler won the giant slalom in front of Livio Simonet (-9 points) and the unlucky Marco Fischbacher (-27) - who was still in the lead in the discipline before the final race, but ended up out in the second run after setting the second fastest time in the first run - was a huge success for the Swiss team.

The Swiss women didn’t have quite so much luck. Mélanie Meillard from Valais, one of the five candidates still in the running for two fixed 2023/24 World Cup places, was in the lead, 0.25 seconds ahead of Simone Wild after the first run, but in the second run they finished in 16^th and 18^th place respectively, and were both relegated, with Meillard 0.66 seconds behind Austria’s Michaela Heider (5th + best run time) and Elisabeth Kappaurer (2 x 4^th time), with Wild in 6t^h place. Meillard, who won the last two European Cup giant slaloms in February in Maribor, therefore missed out on a great opportunity and ended up in 4^th place in the final ranking with 406 points, behind 22-year-old Swede Hilma Loevblom (516), who was eliminated this time, but who was already guaranteed first place in the discipline, Kappaurer (480) and Elisa Platino (440), who was 4^th in the last race. Viviane Härri (14^th) and Vanessa Kasper (21^st) had no influence on the decision.

Swiss fall short in Finland, a double win for Marie Lamure

8.03.2023 - Eliane Christen was the only Swiss skier to manage a top 15 finish in the two European Cup slaloms held in Suomu.

The Swiss slalom skiers won’t be leaving with fond memories of the two events in Lapland. In Suomu, only Eliane Christen managed a top 15 place in the second race, when she finished 13t^h. Lorina Zelger finished 18^th and 20^th. It has to be said that the best Swiss short turn specialists are currently in Åre, where they will be competing in a World Cup slalom in the Swedish resort on Saturday.

It was France's Marie Lamure who gifted herself first place in both competitions on Father Christmas’ home turf. On Tuesday, she beat Norway’s Andrine Mårstøl and Sweden’s Moa Boström Müssener, and on Wednesday she beat Italy's Anita Gulli and Andrine Mårstøl again.

Delia Durrer and Mélanie Meillard for fixed places

The European Cup season is coming to an end and all that remains for the women are the finals next week in Narvik. The only two Swiss athletes who could still claim a top three finish in their discipline and secure a fixed place in the World Cup next winter are Delia Durrer in the downhill and Mélanie Meillard in the giant slalom.

Two wins for Hilma Lövlblom, two top 10 places for Mélanie Meillard

5.03.2023 - Mélanie Meillard finished with two eighth places in the Gällivare European Cup. Sweden's Hilma Lövblom enjoyed two wins on home soil.

There were no Swiss podiums in the European Cup giants in Gällivare. After two wins in Maribor, Mélanie Meillard once again showed her consistency in Sweden. She didn’t manage to finish on the podium this time, and had to make do with two 8th places. Only Simone Wild from St. Gallen did better in the second race in Norrbotten, finishing 7th.

However, these two new performances by Mélanie Meillard should increase her confidence before heading to Åre, where the World Cup will be held on Friday and Saturday, with a giant and a slalom scheduled. Elena Stoffel, who finished twelfth in Gällivare on Saturday, will also be pleased to be back with the elite, after not being selected for the World Championships in Meribel.

In the lead, Hilma Lövblom managed two wins in two days. The 22-year-old Swede demonstrated her mastery in both races, beating Austria’s Elisabeth Kappaurer each time. On Saturday, France’s Doriane Escané completed the podium, and on Sunday it was Norway’s Marte Monsen.

Marius Robyr: "Two superb races" 

Marius Robyr, president of the Crans-Montana Race Organisation Committee, reviews the European Cup weekend on the Haut-Plateau. An interview, with a smile.

Marius Robyr, how would you sum up this European Cup weekend in Crans-Montana?

"Extraordinary! We were incredibly lucky because we had two great training sessions and two superb races, despite the incredible heat. The European Cup is a bit easier, because you can bring the start forward. We started one race at 9am and one at 8.30am, and we didn't have any injuries, so for me it couldn’t be more positive! And these races will allow us to be even better for the World Cup races next week.” 

So about next weekend,  Crans-Montana will be holding the next competitions. Is everything ready ? 

"We’re expecting huge crowds! But for us, only one thing matters, and that’s the weather. If the weather is on our side, it’ll be a superb celebration, the organisation will be impeccable. Now, if it snows on Thursday or Friday, there’ll be a lot more work for us. But I’m very confident and optimistic." 

And if it’s too sunny? 

"If it's too sunny, we'll deal with it. We should never forget that in life a good leader doesn't have problems, they only have solutions. This is where we have to show that we’re good at this.”

In 2027, Crans-Montana will host the World Championships. How do the European Cup and World Cup races help to prepare the foundations for this?

“In terms of organisation, for us the work starts now. We can't afford to mess up. As it's very hot, we can't do anything whatsoever wrong on the piste, because it could be catastrophic. Fortunately, we have very competent people working on the piste who know what they’re talking about. We can do an excellent job. "

And what about the athletes?

"I've talked to some of the skiers and they’re looking forward to the World Championships, that's why they’re here. The Swiss, the Austrians, skiers from all countries are looking forward to coming here and skiing a World Cup course. There's a goal, and it's great to see these youngsters getting ready for the World Championships."

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Austrian Nadine Fest wins the double in Crans-Montana, Malorie Blanc finishes in an excellent 5^th place

19.02.2023 - Austrian Nadine Fest won the European Cup double in Crans-Montana, also winning the second downhill of the weekend on Sunday, followed by American Keely Cashman and another Austrian, Sabrina Maier.  Malorie Blanc from Valais achieved the best result of her career by finishing 5^th on the Mont Lachaux piste.

Nadine Fest was the undisputed queen of Crans-Montana this weekend. After being the fastest in both training sessions and winner of the first downhill of the weekend on Saturday, the 24-year-old Austrian did not cave under pressure, and set the fastest time again on Sunday. American Keely Cashman finished +0.28, to claim her first ever European Cup podium. Sabrina Maier, who also had solid results in training, confirmed the Austrian supremacy, taking third place 0.40 behind the winner.

One of the great moments of the day for the crowd in Crans-Montana was also the excellent performance by Malorie Blanc from Ayent who finished 5^th, only 0.13 away from the podium! A very promising result for the 19-year-old from Valais, who finished with the best Swiss result on Sunday. Stephanie Jenal, in third place the day before, had to make do with a 10^th place, followed by Nathalie Gröbli (12^th), Janine Schmitt (19^th), Delia Durrer (20^th) and Juliana Suter (22^nd). 

The European Cup now makes way for the World Cup, which will be stopping off on the Haut-Plateau next weekend, with a downhill on Saturday 25 February, followed 

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Malorie Blanc, the new Valais speed talent  

Since Fränzi Aufdenblatten retired in 2014, the Valais skiing world has been looking for a new speed specialist. It may have found her in Malorie Blanc. The 19-year-old from Ayent is leapfrogging her way through stages in the European Cup. This weekend in Crans-Montana, she improved on and then blasted her best result in this competition which is the threshold to the elite class. After taking 14th place on Saturday on the Mont Lachaux piste, she finished in a fantastic 5th place on Sunday.

Performances like these could very soon open the doors of the World Cup for Malorie Blanc. Here we meet the talented athlete from Valais.

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Video (in French only): Laurent Morel/SkiActu

Elvedina Muzaferija, a sole Bosnian on the White Circus

19.02.2023- Elvedina Muzaferija secured a historic first podium for Bosnia-Herzegovina when she finished in second place in the European Cup downhill in Crans-Montana on Saturday. And the 23-year-old, who says she is a fan of the Mont Lachaux piste, hopes the result will encourage a renaissance of the sport in her country.

"It was a very busy week because after the World Championships in Meribel, I went straight to Bosnia for the European Cup, then I came here to Crans-Montana. So I'm a bit tired, but I'm so happy to be here! I love this piste, that's why I came here for a European Cup race."

The 23-year-old Bosnian missed out on victory by just .02 on Saturday in the first run. At the World Championships in Meribel, she finished 15th in the combined and 20th in the downhill. These are promising results for the young athlete who also competes in the World Cup but doesn’t have the large infrastructure enjoyed by her Swiss, French or Austrian colleagues. "We’re a really small team, I don't even have a coach, it's just me and a service man.” She also self-finances, with the help of sponsors. "But I hope that with my results, more people will become interested in skiing in Bosnia, and we can have a bigger team because we have places to train, but we need support," the skier notes. "I feel lonely being the only skier in my country."

A first in Sarajevo in the European Cup  

There is already a glimmer of hope: this week, the European Cup stopped off in Sarajevo. It was the first time the Bosnian capital has hosted a race since the 1984 Olympic Games, and a magical moment for Elvedina Muzaferija. "I didn't ski very well, I was under too much pressure but it was amazing. There were so many people applauding at the finish. I was more stressed than in the World Cup because everyone wanted me to get a good result, but it was great to race at home."

The fact that she has now achieved a first podium for Bosnia-Herzegovina is "huge", she says. It wasn’t entirely unexpected that this would happen in Crans-Montana, as it was in the Valais resort that Elvedina Muzaferija first finished in the top 10 in the European Cup almost three years ago.

Crans-Montana 2027 in her sights

She is now aiming for podiums and victories in the World Cup and, why not, at the World Championships in 2027 on the Mont Lachaux piste that she likes so much. "I was hoping that the Worlds would be here. I’ve loved this piste from the start, and this is the fourth year I've come to Crans-Montana, in the European Cup and the World Cup, so I'm looking forward to the Worlds. And I hope I can ski at a good enough level to be able to get a medal!"

Her next opportunity to dazzle will be next weekend, as Crans-Montana hosts the White Circus for a women’s downhill and super-G.

Video: Laurent Morel/SkiActu

A fine podium in the Crans-Montana sunshine

18.02.2023 - Austria’s Nadine Fest, who had already given an impressive performance in training over the previous two days, won the day, ahead of Bosnia’s Elvedina Muzaferija and Switzerland’s Stephanie Jenal in the first European Cup downhill in Crans-Montana.

Nadine Fest showed that the Mont Lachaux piste suits her down to the ground by winning the first European Cup downhill on Saturday, having already set the best time in both training sessions. It was the Austrian's third victory in the discipline, however it was Elvedina Muzaferija who created a sensation by finishing just 0"02 away from the first place. The Bosnian not only secured the first podium finish of her career, but also the first podium for her country in the European Cup, on a course that she particularly likes. It was here that she achieved her first top 10 in the European Cup, in the 2020 super-G.

Stephanie Jenal saved face for Switzerland in style, by finishing third, with + 0"64, and her fourth European Cup podium. The other Swiss finished further behind. Nathalie Gröbli snuck into 10th place, 0"30 away from the podium. Local Malorie Blanc took an excellent 14th place, achieving her best result in the World Cup in front of her friends.

There was less success for Juliana Suter (16th) and Janine Schmitt (19th), Noémie Kolly (31st), Isabella Pedrazzi (32nd), Nora Guggisberg (41st), Sina Fausch (46th), Daria Zurlinden (48th), Chiara Lanz (49th), Laura Huber (50th), Elena Stucki (53rd) and Eliana Stoessel (58th).

A second downhill will take place on Sunday. The start has been brought forward to 8.30 am in order to take advantage of the best possible conditions on the Mont Lachaux piste.

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The Austrians still ahead

17.02.203 – As was the case the previous day, two Austrians set the top two times in training for the European Cup downhill races in Crans-Montana. Nadine Fest beat Christina Ager and the Bosnian Elvedina Muzaferija. Malorie Blanc came in 7^th place.

It looks like it’s going to be a fight to catch up with the Austrians in the European Cup downhill races in Crans-Montana on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 February. They’ve stormed through the training sessions on the Mont Lachaux piste. On Friday, in a second training downhill, scheduled at 9am to avoid the high temperatures, Nadine Fest was the fastest, like the previous day. This time the 24-year-old was 0"19 ahead of her compatriot - and leader of the overall European Cup ranking - Christina Ager. Both athletes slowed down at the bottom of the course, and will definitely be faster on the weekend.

One little surprise today came from Elvedina Muzaferija (+0"35), who managed the third fastest time. The Bosnian will be trying to secure her first podium place in the European Cup, a threshold to the World Cup arena. Local Malorie Blanc (Anzère Crans-Montana Ski-Team) was the fastest Swiss, finishing in 7th place, 0"74 behind the fastest time. Delia Durrer (15^th), Stephanie Jenal (16^th) and Juliana Suter (18^th) will also be contenders.

It is also worth noting that 17-year-old Laura Huber from Bern came in 22^nd place. She will be trying to score her first European Cup points on Saturday. Nathalie Gröbli (24^th), Noémie Kolly (27^th) and Isabella Pedrazzi (30^th) will also be desperate to shine in front of the Swiss crowds.

Notice from the Organising Committee to spectators of this weekend's European Cup races: Races will start at 09:00 (instead of 10:00 as initially planned).

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The Austrians already out to impress

16.02.2023 - Nadine Fest and Sabrina Maier set the two fastest times in the first training session for the European Cup downhill races in Crans-Montana. Several skiers got caught out at the bottom of the course. 

The first test on the Mont Lachaux piste was a success for the Austrians. The Wunderteam is the favourite, thanks to their impressive performances in the European Cup over the last few weeks, and they already marked their territory on Thursday. In a training session that started at 9.30am in order to avoid the high temperatures forecasted for the sunny Haut-Plateau, Nadine Fest set the best time of the day, beating her compatriot Sabrina Maier by 0"12.

On a piste that held up perfectly, several athletes were caught out just a few dozen metres from the finish, on a gate that was difficult to reach. Nicol Delago finished with the third fastest time, while her sister Nadia finished 6th behind the two French competitors, Anouck Errard and Camille Cerutti.

The Swiss women came in slightly behind. Delia Durrer, who enjoys this Valais piste, nevertheless managed a sound 7th place, without pushing it, with +1"00. Malorie Blanc from Valais came in just behind her (9^th, +1"06). She will be keen to dazzle in front of her home crowd, as at 19 years old, she is competing in her second European Cup in Crans-Montana. Stephanie Jenal finished in 13th position, Nathalie Gröbli in 18th, Janine Schmitt in 22nd and Noémie Kolly in 25th.

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A SWISS-AUSTRIAN DUEL IN THE EUROPEAN CUP

13.02.2023 - Two European Cup races will be held this Saturday and Sunday, 18 and 19 February, in Crans-Montana. The two competitions will serve as a general rehearsal for the World Cup races next week.

Crans-Montana will be the scene of two women's European Cup downhill races this weekend, and these events will serve as a dress rehearsal for the women's downhill and super-G on 25 and 26 February. The field will be very strong on the Mont Lachaux piste, where we can expect a duel between top Swiss and Austrian speed experts.

In the Swiss clan, Delia Durrer, Juliana Suter, Stephanie Jenal and Noémie Kolly will be candidates for the podium. The four skiers will take advantage of these European Cup races to prepare for the World Cup races the following week. They will be supported by the young Swiss guard, led by Stefanie Grob, triple medalist from the Junior World Championships, and also by Valais locals Malorie Blanc and Delphine Darbellay.

Christina Ager and the Delago sisters headline

However, the Swiss skiers will have their work cut out against the Austrian armada. European Cup leader Christina Ager will be the great favourite for both races on the Haut-Plateau. The "Wunderteam" will also be able to count on talents such as Nadine Fest, Vanessa Nussbaumer and Sabrina Maier.

Talking of favourites, we should also mention Italian sisters Nadia and Nicol Delago, who are also preparing for the World Cup. Among the outsiders, there is also transalpine Sara Thaler, Germany’s Katrin Hirtl-Stanggassinger, Bosnia’s Elvedina Muzaferija, recently 20th in the downhill at the World Championships in Méribel, and Andorra’s Cande Moreno.

Photographer Hervé Deprez (Crans-Montana) has documented the great work done so far on the Mont Lachaux piste with some impressive images.

The Austrians are untouchable in the European Cup  

13.02.2023 - Two super-G races were scheduled this Monday in Bjelašnica, Bosnia. The race, near Sarajevo, was a huge success for the Austrians who managed to finish with two quadruple wins.

Bosnia seems to suit the Austrian women’s squad. As the first European Cup super-G due to take place in Bjelašnica on Sunday was postponed until Monday, they managed a raid on the two scheduled events in the resort that hosted the 1984 Olympic Games. Christina Ager won the first super-G, Michelle Niederwieser the second.

But it was the overall performance of the Wunderteam that was most impressive. Both events produced quadruple Austrian wins. The leader of the overall European Cup and downhill ranking, Christina Ager (27), beat Michaela Heider, Nadine Fest and Sabrina Maier in the first race. Later in the day, Michelle Niederwieser won her first race in the World Cup arena, ahead of Nadine Fest, Sandra Absmann and Christina Ager.

The Swiss women finished further behind. In the first Bosnian race, Juliana Suter took 8^th place, and Nicole Good 10^th. Nicole Good finished in 8^th place in the following race, securing the best Swiss result.

MÉLANIE MEILLARD TAKES THE DOUBLE IN MARIBOR

10.02.2023 – Two victories in two days for Valais’ Mélanie Meillard, who is back on top form again in the giant, and won once again in Maribor.

Mélanie Meillard is back on top form in the giant races. In a discipline where she has been searching for her bearings in the last few seasons, the skier from Valais seems to have found the magic formula, as she sealed a second win in two days in the second European Cup giant in Maribor. On Friday in Slovenia, the skier from Hérémence won the competition in front of Italy’s Elisa Platino and the local in this heat, Neja Dvornik.

Mélanie Meillard moved ahead in the first race, finishing with the best time and a lead of almost half a second over her closest competitor. She didn’t waver as she left the start gate behind her to take her fourth win in the European Cup. Before her victory on Thursday ahead of Sweden's Hilma Lövblom and Austria's Elisabeth Kappauer, she hadn’t enjoyed this honour since her two victories in Bad Wiese in the 2017 slalom.

Five Swiss females in the top 10
The Swiss women did very well on Friday, with five finishing in the top 10. Elena Stoffel achieved a remarkable feat, starting with number 66, and going on to set the best time in the second race to finish 7^th. Simone Wild (8^th), Lorina Zelger (9^th) and Vanessa Kasper (10^th) complete the excellent Swiss results.

Austrians ahead of the Swiss in the European Cup  

7.02.2023 - Stephanie Jenal and Delia Durrer finished close to the podium in the two super-G races in Sarntal, which were dominated by the Austrians.

For once, the Swiss women’s speed team returned from a competition without any podium places. In Sarntal in South Tyrol, the Swiss women’s team may not have finished on the steps of the podium, but they weren’t that far away in the two super-G races.

Stephanie Jenal finished in 4^th and then 5^th place, 0.30 away from the podium on Tuesday. Delia Durrer was close behind, in 5^th and then 6^th position. Nathalie Gröbli was the only one from the Swiss clan to do well again, finishing in 8^th place in the second super-G race.  

In front of them, the Austrians were on top of their game. On Wednesday, they managed a triple victory, when Christina Ager won ahead of Elisabeth Reisinger and Nadine Fest. Fest had won the first race on Tuesday, beating Germany’s Katrin Hirtl-Stanggassinger and her teammate Christina Ager.

Three Swiss on the podium in three races in Châtel

3.02.2023 - Juliana Suter, Delia Durer and Stephanie Suter took turns on the podium in the European Cup races in Châtel.

One Swiss skier can hide another. In three days of European Cup competitions in Châtel, three Swiss athletes ended up on the podium. It started on Wednesday, with the first downhill on the programme in the Haute-Savoie resort. Juliana Suter from Schwyz took third place in the event, behind the two Austrians, Christina Ager and Nadine Fest. This is her sixth podium of the winter on the threshold of the elite category. Nidwalden’s Delia Durrer just missed out on 4^th place. 

However she got her revenge on Thursday - in style. The talented skier even avenged her compatriot, by winning the second downhill ahead of Christina Ager and Nadine Fest once again. This is the first time in her career that Delia Durrer has won in the European Cup.

On Friday, Delia Durrer once again finished at the foot of the podium in the super-G, but it was Stephanie Jenal from the Grisons who really stood out. In the last race in neighbouring France, she took third place behind Austria’s Christina Ager and Michelle Niederwieser.

18-year-old Malorie Blanc from Valais achieved the best result of her career, finishing in 19^th place in the second downhill.

This Swiss women’s slalom team falls behind in Vaujany

28.01.2023 - The two European Cup slaloms in Vaujany, France didn’t go too well for the Swiss women. Only Lorina Zelger managed to finish in the top 10, taking 6^th place in the first race.

The Swiss women missed out in the European Cup event in Vaujany. In France, the Swiss slalom skiers finished a long way from the podium in both events. Lorina Zelger finished with the best result in the Swiss team, taking 6^th place in the first slalom, whereas Aline Höpli finished 15^th. Eliane Christan was the most consistent Swiss skier, finishing in 12^th place twice.

At home, France’s Doriane Escané won on Friday ahead of Norway’s Bianca Bakke-Westhoff and Sweden’s Estelle Alphand. On Saturday, it was another Swede, Cornelia Oelhund, who triumphed ahead of Norway’s Andrine Mårstøl and Italy’s Beatrice Sola.

Aline Danioth is brilliant, Elena Stoffel and Mélanie Meillard place

15.01.2023 - In her first European Cup races this winter season, Aline Danioth from Uri finished on the podium in both slaloms in Pozza di Fassa. Elena Stoffel and Mélanie Meillard finished in the top 10.

One day is the same as the next for Aline Danioth. The skier from Andermatt continues her good progress in the European Cup, finishing with a solid 3^rd place in the first European Cup slalom in Pozza di Fassa, and then taking 2^nd place in the second slalom in the Italian resort, beaten only by Cornelia Öhlund, who also won the day before. The 17-year-old from Sweden is full of promise for the future, competing in only her 13^th and 14^th European Cup races.

Aline Danioth on the other hand, took her 14^th and 15^th podium places on this threshold to the World Cup, building her confidence before the next rendez-vous with the elite. But she wasn’t the only Swiss competitor to shine in Italy. Elena Stoffel had been unhappy on the previous day, after 

The Austrians out in full force, the Swiss are on track

12.01.2023 - The Wunderteam left nothing but crumbs for their opponents in Zauchensee.  Among them, the Swiss held their ground, like Delia Durrer, who finished 3^rd in the second downhill.

The European Cup in Zauchensee had to dodge raindrops and snowflakes this week. It wasn’t possible to complete the super-G on Thursday. Only 32 skiers were able to start in Zauchensee (AUT). The race was stopped after Austria’s Magdalena Egger, who started with number 32, fell. But the results were still validated because over 30 skiers had been able to start. After brilliant results in the downhill, the Austrian women enjoyed even more success on their home ground. Michaela Heider dominated the race to win by 0"85, ahead of her compatriot Sabrina Maier, and 1"04 ahead of another compatriot, Michelle Niederwieser. In fifth place, Stefanie Grob from St. Gallen finished 0"23 away from the podium, however she achieved her best result in the World Cup arena. Janine Schmitt (7th) finished with her third best performance in the category. Isabella Pedrazzi finished 14^th, in a race where only 16 athletes crossed the finish line. Katja Grossmann, Nathalie Gröbli, Nora Guggisberg and Melanie Michel did not finish.

It was the Austrians, competing at home, who ruled the roost in the two downhills held on the same day on Wednesday, following the cancellation of the first race on Tuesday. In the morning, Sabrina Maier won, 0″12 in front of Magdalena Egger and 0″26 ahead of Michelle Niederwieser. Another Austrian, Vanessa Nussbaumer, won the second downhill, 0″08 ahead of her compatriot Christina Ager, and Delia Durrer. And the Swiss didn’t disappoint, on a shortened piste for the races, which lasted just over a minute. After finishing in fifth place in the first race, only 0″12 from the box, Delia Durrer did even better in the afternoon when she sealed her 3^rd podium place in the European Cup.

Stefanie Jenal (14^th place and then 9^th), Janine Schmitt (13^th in the first race) and Nathalie Gröbli (22^nd and 18^th) also showed what they are capable of. And then there was Stefanie Grob (18^th and 21^st), with a very solid performance once again, and Malorie Blanc (20^th and 25^th). For her 5th and 6th European Cup races, and the first outside of Switzerland, the 19-year-old from Valais finished with her two best results in the category. The skier from Anzère finished just over a second away from the podium, and proved that she is improving from race to race.

Nicole Good wins in the European Cup

17.12.2022 - Nicole Good from St. Gallen has won the slalom in Ahrntal, South Tyrol this Saturday, the second European Cup win of her career. The Swiss women are back on top, after a tricky first slalom on Friday.

After a difficult first slalom in Ahrntal on Friday, where none finished in the top 15, the Swiss women reacted on Saturday in the second slalom. After being eliminated in the second race on the previous day, having finished third in the first race, Nicole Good from St. Gallen triumphed in Italy on Saturday. And with a very good margin, since the skier from Pfäffers relegated Sweden’s Moa Bostroem Mussener and Emelie Henning to finishing 47 and 79 hundredths behind her.

This is Nicole Good's second career success on the threshold to the elite class, after her victory in the combined event in Les Diablerets in 2019. This was the last time that the skier, who has just celebrated her first two top 20 finishes in the World Cup slalom, has finished on the podium in the European Cup.

Lorina Zelger, who was also eliminated on Friday, took the lead again with the 9th fastest time. Mélanie Meillard (14^th) and Aline Höpli (15^th) completed the very good Swiss scores. Elena Stoffel and Valentine Macheret were eliminated in the first race.

On Friday, only Mélanie Meillard (17^th) and Janine Mächler (23^rd) finished in the top 30, in a race that was won by the USA’s Paola Moltzan.

Asja Zenere is on form, the Swiss women assume

14.12.2022 - The Italian won both European Cup giants in Ponte di Legno. Vivianne Härri leaves Italy with a podium place.

Switzerland continues to shine in the Alpine Skiing European Cup. Vivianne Härri finished on the podium in the first giant in Ponte di Legno. In Italy, the skier from Giswil took third place in a race that was won by Italy's Asja Zenere ahead of Austria's Elisabeth Kappauer. Vivianne Härri was already third in the first heat, and managed to keep her place in the second race. She finished 0″75 behind the day’s winner, taking her 4t^h podium in the European Cup. The next day, she finished in a sound 7th place, while the Italian winner did it again, ahead of her compatriot Elisa Platino, who finished 0″16 behind her and Sweden's Hilma Lövblom at 0″25. The best Swiss result of the day went to Simone Wild in 5^th place, 0''25 away from the podium, although she had exited in the second race the previous day.

Another top performance for the Swiss camp during the two days in Italy was Stefanie Grob’s 13^th and 10^th places. The 18-year-old from Appenzell started with bib number 87 on Tuesday, and is now 11^th in the overall ranking of the European Cup, although she had only competed in two races in the European Cup prior to this season, without scoring any points.

 As for the skiers from Valais, Delphine Darbellay took 28^th and 29^th places, and Julie Deschenaux took 30th place in the first race.

Vanessa Kasper and Mélanie Meillard in the top 10 in Zinal

6.12.2022 - Vanessa Kasper was the best performing Swiss in the second European Cup giant race in Zinal, finishing 6th. Mélanie Meillard validated her good position from the previous day by finishing 8t^h. Victory went to Germany’s Jessica Hilzinger.

The day after her brilliant 4^th place in the first European Cup giant in Zinal, Mélanie Meillard validated her good performance in the second giant on Tuesday. The Valais skier ranked 8^th in the Val d’Anniviers competition. It was another good performance for the skier from Hérémence, who once again started with a high number, 21 on this occasion. She might have managed an even better result after her 5^th place in the first heat, and she was still in 4^th place at the last intermediate time, but she dropped a few hundredths on the final flat. Thanks to this result, she should start with a number close to 30 in the World Cup giant on Saturday in Sestriere.

In a race that was won by Germany's Jessica Hilzinger, who was 2^nd the previous day, ahead of Magdalena Luczak from Palermo and Austria's Elisabeth Kappauer, the top Swiss placed was Vanessa Kasper from the Grisons, who finished 6^th and is back on form after her 18^th place on Monday. Vivianne Härri (14t^h) was also in the top 15. Slalom specialist Aline Danioth (17^th) gave another encouraging performance in her return to the giant class after a serious knee injury three years ago.

As for the French-speaking Swiss, Delphine Darbellay finished 36^th, Julie Deschenaux 41^st and Lara Briguet 47^th. Camille Rast did not take part in the race.

Mélanie Meillard finishes at the foot of the podium in Zinal

5.12.2022 - Having started with bib number 34, the Valaisan skier managed a blazing performance in the Val d'Anniviers to boost her confidence. Thanks notably to a very fluid second heat, the skier from Hérémence finished in an encouraging 4th place. Camille Rast was less successful.

Mélanie Meillard has something to smile about. The Valais skier took a solid 4th place in the first giant in the European Cup in Zinal. The 24-year-old was only beaten by Italy’s Asja Zenera, who took first place, and Germany’s Jessica Hilzinger and France’s Doriane Escané. Above all, Loïc's sister, who started with bib number 34 and finished 18th in the first heat, made a superb comeback in her second race. Her second run, where she finished with the 2nd fastest time, was of a very high standard. In the end, the athlete from Neuchâtel only missed the podium by 0″39.

Importantly, thanks to this result, Mélanie Meillard will score very good FIS points, which means she will be able to start with a better bib number in the next World Cup giant races. In Killington, the skier from Hérémence had to start with the number 46 bib. She should be able to start somewhere just after 30 in Sestriere on Saturday. The second ranked Swiss skier, Vivianne Härri, took 13^th place, although she’d had a good first heat (4t^h).

Camille Rast was less successful in the resort that sponsors her. After a solid first heat, despite some inaccuracies, and finishing in 12^th place, the Valais skier fell back into 15^th place. The 23-year-old is apparently still struggling to find the best settings on her new equipment, which is evident because her standards seem far from what they were at the end of last season. However, the learning process continues for the athlete from Vétroz, who will have another chance to shine on Tuesday in the second giant race in the Val d'Anniviers. Vanessa Kasper (18^th), Janine Schmitt (20^th) and Lorina Zelger (22^nd) will also be looking to improve their results.

A First for Janine Schmitt in Zinal

2.12.2022 - The skier from St. Gallen won the second European Cup super-G in the Valais resort, taking the top step of the podium for the first time at this level.

Janine Schmitt gave an excellent performance in Zinal on Friday. The 22-year-old enjoyed her first win in the European Cup. In the Valais mountains, she finished  0″07 ahead of Austria's Michaela Heider, and 0″13 ahead of France's Karen Smadja-Clement, the previous day’s winner.

Janine Schmitt managed a sensational first half of the race to take first place on the podium. Until now, the 2021 Swiss downhill runner-up has never finished higher than third in the European Cup, in a downhill in the Val di Fassa in December 2021. She had only ever finished in the top ten twice at this level before this win. Her achievement could open the doors to the World Cup, as two downhill runs and a super-G are scheduled in St. Moritz from 16 until 18 December. The St. Gallen native may have the opportunity to compete in the training sessions, or perhaps go even further.

The other Swiss athletes did not disappoint in Zinal on Friday. Stefanie Grob took a solid 6th place, as she had the previous day. The 18-year-old from Appenzell has been performing well, especially considering that she was only competing in her 5^th European Cup race. Nathalie Gröbli took 11^th place and Isabelli Pedrazzi 15^th, in her fourth race in the category. Janine Mächler (21^st), Livia Rossi (22^nd) and Nora Guggisberg (24^th) also scored points, as did Julie Deschenaux (29^th). The 17-year-old from Valais started with bib number 39, and has entered the top 30 for the first time in her young career. Delphine Darbellay (42^nd) missed her start.

The Swissplace well in Zinal

1.12.2022 - The first European Cup super-G in Zinal was won by France’s Karen Smadja-Clement.  Nathalie Gröbli took 4^th place, and Stefanie Grob 6^th.

The Swiss women are getting closer to the podium in the European Cup. The Swiss team didn’t do too badly in Mayrhofen, and like Lorina Zelger, who finished 5^th twice in Austria, Nathalie Gröbli just missed out on the podium in the first super-G in Zinal on Thursday. The 26-year-old from Nidwalden missed the top 3 by less than three tenths of a second, finishing fourth for the sixth time in her career in this anteroom for the World Cup, having only finished on the podium twice.

The race was won by France’s Karen Smadja-Clement, a first win for her at this level. A friend of Fribourg's Alexis Monney, she has only finished on one podium in the category before, over two years ago. She won in style, pushing Michaela Heider and Sabrina Maier back 0″44 and 0″52 respectively.

Several other members of them Swiss team did not disappoint, such as Stefanie Grob, who finished a solid 6^th. The 18-year-old from Appenzell has had a good start to the season, having already finished 17^th in the giant in Mayrhofen. She had only competed in two European Cup races a year ago, also in Zinal.

Livia Rossi took 14^th place, while Janine Schmitt finished 19^th. Isabella Pedrazzi from the Grisons (18), in her third race at this level, finished 23^rd. Delphine Darbellay took 28th place. In her first European Cup race, Nora Guggisberg (also 18 years old) finished in 30^th place.

FOUR TOP 10 FINISHES FOR SWITZERLAND 

29.11.2022 - The female Swiss-Ski skiers started the European Cup season in Mayrhofen AUT with mixed success. The best result came from 23-year-old Lorina Zelger from Gams/SG, who finished fifth on two occasions. In the Giant Slalom, she finished 0.77 seconds behind the winner, France’s Doriane Escane. The podium was completed by Stella Johansson/USA (2^nd +0.15 seconds) and the duo Clarisse Brèche/FRA and Moa Boström Mussener/SWE (3rd place tie +0.70 seconds). She stood at +0.99 seconds on Tuesday, when the 21-year-old Swede won the slalom, ahead of Italy's Lucrezia Lorenzia (0.76) and Vera Tschurtschenthaler (0.82). Besides Zelger, Vanessa Kasper (13^th) and Stefanie Grob (17^th) marked points in the giant slalom, and Nicole Good (6^th), Aline Höpli (9^th) and Eliane Christen (20^th) in the slalom. 

Start of the Women's European Cup Season

25.11.2022 - This weekend (26/27 November), the Women's European Cup begins in Mayrhofen AUT with a giant slalom and a slalom. The programme for the 2022/23 season, which culminates with the World Championships, includes 35 races. The races will be held in 15 resorts, and Switzerland will host four of them. Two times in Zinal in early December (2 SG and 2 GS), two races in Hasliberg in mid-January, and two downhills in Crans-Montana on 18 and 19 February. For the men, a total of 40 races are planned, from 1 December until the final in Narvik NOR in mid-March. Switzerland will host races in Zinal, St. Moritz, Wengen and Jaun.

For the Swiss-Ski teams, the aim is to perform at the second-highest level of Alpine skiing competition and to make their mark in anticipation of even greater challenges. Alpine Skiing director Walter Reusser sums it up: "The European Cup is a springboard. For those at the top, the aim is to finish with top placings, and ultimately permanent places. For the next in line, it's about progressing to podium places and securing permanent places, like Aline Danioth, Juliana Suter, Simone Wild, Delia Durrer and Vivianne Härri did last winter. Head coach for the women’s team Beat Tschuor, who is also the coach for the European Cup, describes it as a kind of "hot water tank", and he is confident that the young Swiss athletes have what it takes for a sound third winter, following on from the three, respectively five, fixed places that have already been achieved in the World Cup.