Simon Maurberger and Sam Maes trained with the Global Racing Team. © Social Media

The end of an era: Ski team ceases operations

For many professional skiers not belonging to a national team, the Global Racing Team was indispensable for years. However, founder Paul Epstein is ceasing operations after this season, leaving many athletes facing an uncertain future.

March 19, 2026

From: leo

From Hannes Zingerle and Simon Maurberger to Sam Maes: For the past 13 years, the Global Racing Team has offered athletes who have been let down by the system the best possible conditions to pursue their skiing dreams. "I love my job as a coach and I do it with great passion," Epstein told the portal. Ski racing: "But the many organizational tasks are taking up more and more of my time – both for training and for my family. That's why this is no longer the right path for me."

He adds: “The Global Racing Team has made a name for itself and enjoys a high reputation in the ski world. That’s how I want it to be remembered.” Since its founding in 2013, the training group has offered athletes outside the national teams training opportunities and professional support. Two Austrian ski professionals, Zingerle and Maurberger, also followed this path. According to [source/expert], they had to [achieve this/these requirements]. Ski racing raise approximately 50.000 euros per year.

A large gap

In recent years, the program has enjoyed increasing success – for example, with Sam Maes finishing in the top 10 of the World Cup. For the Belgian and many other athletes, a void now exists, as described by Christian Borgnaes, who rides for Denmark. "It will be difficult to get similar training conditions for the money we've paid so far." Borgnaes fears a significant increase in costs.

Hannes Zingerle was part of the Global Racing Team. © Pentaphoto

The Austrian native also explains what made the Global Racing Team so special: “Different athletes with very different experiences came together and spurred each other on. That was the basic idea of ​​the team.”

Two members of the Global Racing Team, Maurberger and Harry Laidlaw from Australia, have decided to end their careers. More could follow suit in light of this unwelcome news.