Ski superstar Lara Gut-Behrami. © AFP / MARCO BERTORELLO

A painful separation for Lara Gut-Behrami

The new World Cup season is just around the corner. The ski season begins on Saturday with the women's giant slalom in Sölden. Many eyes will be on Lara Gut-Behrami, who has, however, undergone a major change.

25 October 2024

From: det

When Lara Gut-Behrami swings out of the giant slalom start house on Saturday and begins her mission to defend her title in the overall World Cup, one thing is likely to catch the eye of ski fans. The 33-year-old will be wearing a black helmet. Shortly before the start of the season, it was made official that the collaboration with her long-time main sponsor had ended. Gut-Behrami has not yet found a replacement.

For 12 years, the Swiss star skier's helmet bore the logo of Ragusa, a well-known chocolate in Switzerland produced by the manufacturer Camille Bloch. Now they have parted ways. "We would have liked to continue with Lara Gut-Behrami. Unfortunately, we did not find common ground in the discussion," Jessica Herschkowitz, the company's head of communications, said at View cited.

Overall World Cup winner Lara Gut-Behrami is currently racing without a main sponsor. © APA / EXPA/JOHANN GRODER

You would think that sponsors would fight over the helmet of the overall World Cup winner. But the fact is that not many companies want or can afford such a luxury. According to ViewAccording to information, Gut-Behrami recently received an annual sum in the mid-six-figure range from her main sponsor. A proud sum.

Does she even need a head sponsor anymore?

It remains to be seen whether a new company can be found in the next few weeks. Swiss ski legend Bernhard Russi (75) recently told Blick, that it might not matter to Gut-Behrami on the home stretch of her career if she drives without a main sponsor. "I don't think profitability is as important to Lara today as it was back then, when she had to support the whole family," he said.