Snowboard or Olympic downhill? Ledecka has decided

Because the parallel giant slalom for snowboarders will take place at the same time as the women's downhill at the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina, Ester Ledecka faced a difficult decision. The Czech has now made her decision.

22 October 2025

From: cst/apa

Ester Ledecka has decided to compete in the parallel giant slalom for snowboarders at the Olympic Games and not in the alpine downhill skiing event, which was scheduled at the same time.

The program for the Winter Games on February 8 presented the 30-year-old with an insoluble problem, as the two venues, Cortina d'Ampezzo for the downhill and Livigno for the snowboarding event, are about four hours away by car from each other.

Coaching support from South Tyrol

Ledecka achieved a unique gold double at the 2018 Pyongyang Games in snowboarding and super-G skiing and, due to her special status, hoped for a schedule change for Milan/Cortina. Although this was supported by FIS President Johan Eliasch, it was not implemented. "I understand that a change isn't easy, but I thought they could make it work," said Ledecka. "I'm the only one who qualified for the third time in two sports."

Ester Ledecka with her ski coach Franz Gamper. © APA / EXPA/JOHANN GRODER

Now, the third-place finisher in this year's World Championship downhill is aiming for her third consecutive Olympic snowboard gold medal and still has the opportunity to compete in the Super-G as a ski racer on February 12. Incidentally, Ledecka can count on South Tyrolean support in her skiing career. Franz Gamper from Ulten is the Czech's coach.