Every season, a pack of new faces surfaces to disrupt the safe bets, mainly in technical disciplines. Shining slalom wunderkinds usually enter the stage as shooting stars and only then look for some safer place in the rankings. Downhill tends to be entirely different. To be successful in speed disciplines, more than talent and strength is needed; you need experience.
This year, however, we have seen many very young World Cup winners and podium finishers in various disciplines, including the speed events. Let us introduce these amazing athletes individually, from the oldest to the youngest.
First, a little disclaimer: I know that Alte Lie McGrath, Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, and Alexander Steen Olsen are all really young. But I believe the audience knows these guys; they established themselves as the toughest competition to the big names long ago. In the case of the first two, more than three years have passed since we marveled at their skills, and in the case of Steen Olsen, I believe nobody wondered at his victory in Sölden. The same goes for Alice Robinson (NEZ), who used to charm fans and experts with her aggressive style, collecting podiums and wins in the 2020 season, but seems only now to have got back in shape. This article is about fresh blood and new names on the podiums.
Alexis Monney (SUI, 8th January 2000)
The Swiss Alexis Monney entered the World Cup circus in 2022 after winning the 2020 Junior World Downhill Gold Medal in Narwik. Then he tried the downhills in Kvitfjell, Kitzbühel, and Val Gardena. Next season, he went full throttle into the World Cup, focusing solely on speed disciplines. Monney partners with Stöckli and is part of the happy Swiss skiing family. Swiss athletes always support each other and create an environment perfect for young talents to grow. Monney’s win from Bormio is so fresh that he had not yet even time to update his website, which still modestly claims:
“The results achieved are important, but I dream of achieving my first World Cup podium and getting ever closer to the best in the downhill and super-G disciplines.”
Fredrik Moeller (NOR, 27th October 2000)
The Norwegian alpine skiing team used to look like a talent farm, and the fearsome Vikings used to grow under the guidance of Aksel Llund Svindal. Not anymore. Without the older guys to help them grow, times have been tough lately for the Norwegian youngsters in the speed disciplines. Not so in the technical events, where the young duo of McGrath and Steen Olsen (together with the freshly reborn Brazilian Braathen) sometimes make it look like a Norwegian championship.
Moeller’s victory in the super-G in Bormio did not come out of nowhere. He made his claims known in Val Gardena and Beaver Creek with fourth rankings. This is Fredrik´s first entire season in the World Cup. Last year, he gathered one sole point for finishing 30th in front of a home crowd, in Kvitfjell. However, Moeller also tried giant slalom the previous year, and we must say that switching focus only to speed disciplines was a clever choice.
Lukas Feuerstein (AUT, 18th May 2001)
The Austrians need fresh blood to help the veterans carry the weight of their demanding fans and media. Such an environment does not help talents thrive, as there is no room for trial and error in the tough competition. In the Austrian team, you are always under the hawk’s eye of the coaches who can replace you anytime.
Feuerstein appeared in the World Cup in season 2023 with some DNFs and a few points. Last year, he fared better in both his disciplines, super-G and giant slalom. However, his third place from the super-G in Beaver Creek in December was a surprise, and he still needs to match it.
Franjo Von Allmen (SUI, 24th July 2001)
Looking at the Swiss speed skiers, one must ask: is it their genes?
So many young talents from this alpine country are waiting for their first podium; and this season, two of them got it. At the beginning of the season, we knew that we should expect big results from Franjo, as Red Bull chose to sponsor him. Also, the HEAD team paired the youngster with Sepp Kuppelwieser, the same technician who cared for the great Beat Feuz’s skis. Thus, Franjo’s appearance in the red chair in Val Gardena did not surprise us. However, this is his only second World Cup season. Last year, in his only first World Cup season, he finished 14th in super-G and 17th in downhill. Marco Odermatt indeed will have a significant contender in his countryman.
Zrinka Ljutic (CRO, 26th January 2004)
Those who watch alpine ski racing longer were not surprised by Zrinka’s first victory in Seemering. At her age, she had three podiums last season and one in the 2023 season. Still, she was only 19 when she claimed her first World Cup win this December, setting an excellent example. Zrinka has brilliant finesse and a feel for the snow. She comes from Croatia, a miraculous country where mountains are low, snow is scarce, and they still produce extraordinary alpine athletes. Last year, she struggled with consistency, but this season, she thrives under the guidance of a new mental coach.
Lara Colturi (ALB, 15th November 2006)
Our youngest podium finisher of this season is only 18. Lara Colturi from Albania, born in Italy to an Italian mother, races under this exotic flag because she chose not to go the way her Italian coaches set for her. Thus, now she and her team do things their way. With the sponsorship of Red Bull, they can afford to do so.
Lara entered the World Cup in 2023, winning the FIS Junior World Championship super-G at 16. Then, Colturi mainly collected DNFs or DNQs in the World Cup; no wonder at that age. But she only built upon that experience the next year, collecting FIS points in slalom and giant slalom and finding her place on the circuit. And this season, she gained her first podium.
I hope we can do just another article on this topic by the end of the season. There are some serious contenders for a place in it, with young athletes finishing just beneath the podium (like the American Lauren Macuga or the Austrian miracle from Val Gardena Stefan Eichberger).
So, follow us to know who to watch so that you can say, “I knew it,” as the young guys once more top the established champions.
