The secret star: This exotic skier is conquering the hearts of the World Cup

Shortly before the finish, Céline Marti squats down again. She ducks down, makes herself small, wants to keep the braking effect as low as possible. It's an old skier's trick. Céline looks determined when she finally throws herself over the finish line, and then euphoric when she stands up again. A broad smile can be seen on her face; she has already raised her fist energetically towards the sky. To her left, her personal fan club is cheering; in front of her, she is receiving applause from the spectators who are still in the stadium.

At first it sounds like a completely normal finish if it weren't for these subtle little differences. In Méribel it is 11.41 a.m. this Thursday and the first round of the women's giant slalom has been running for almost two hours. The number 113 stands out on Marti's chest, making her the second-to-last athlete to compete. And with a gap of 58 seconds to Mikaela Shiffrin, Marti will finish this race in last place. “I made it to the finish, that was my big wish.” Celine Marti But she doesn't feel angry about it, on the contrary. “I made it to the finish, that was my big wish. Further up, I was almost eliminated. But I said to myself: 'No, you have to stay in now. You have to finish!'” she will say later in the conversation.

Helpers want a photo, fans want an autograph Céline Marti is an exotic skier. She originally comes from Haiti, an island nation in the Caribbean. To ski? This is not possible there with an average annual temperature of around 28 degrees. Nevertheless, Marti represents her country of birth at the World Championships in Courchevel and Méribel.

Diligently writes autographs for her fans: Céline Marti. © det

She is one of those exotic women who gives these title fights a special flair. And one that is well received by everyone. After the race, she chatted for minutes with her fans who had come especially for her. Countless helpers want a photo with her, some young spectators in the stands want an autograph card, which she digs out of her backpack and signs with a personal dedication.

Found on the street as a baby Maybe it's also a bit of Marti's story that makes her such a special exotic creature. The skier was just a baby, a few months old, when she was found by missionaries on a Haitian road. Her health was not good, but Marti pulled through - and was adopted by a couple from Geneva. Since then she has lived in Switzerland. “I learned to ski when I was 12 and then gave ski courses,” says the cheerful person. “At some point the Haitian association came to me and asked me if I would like to go to the World Cup. I said: Why not?” Marti competed in her first World Championship race in St. Moritz in 2017 and has taken part in every edition since then.

A snapshot with the superstar: Marti (right) with Mikaela Shiffrin at the 2019 World Ski Championships in Åre. © APA / EXPA/DOMINIK ANGERER

The Haitian doesn't mind that she's always at the back. Of course, also because Marti is not a professional. “I work as a police officer and am also in the volunteer fire department. And I'm a mom," she says proudly and points to her fan club, where her 14-year-old daughter Johana is in the middle of it all.

Happy to represent the country of my birth “I often go skiing and sometimes train with other athletes. “I also really enjoy cross-country skiing and triathlon,” says Marti. What is your goal at a World Cup? “Make it to the finish line safely,” laughs the ski lady and adds: “It’s an honor to compete for Haiti. If someone from my country of birth watches and sees someone driving for their country, then they are happy. And other people also see that athletes from Haiti can ski.”

In two months Céline Marti will be 44 years old. A proud age for a skier, she knows that herself. “My knees are no longer the same as they were a few years ago,” laments the exotic skier. Nevertheless, that wasn't the case with the World Championships. “In two years, I want to be there again. But then maybe it’s good.” And what happens then? “My daughter also skis. Maybe she'll follow in my footsteps. That would be very nice."

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The secret star: This exotic skier is conquering the hearts of the World Cup

A ski world championship is not just a showcase for superstars, but also a time when the smaller nations are allowed to take to the big stage. These exotic skis make the World Cup so special. The French are particularly fond of Céline Marti from Haiti - perhaps also because of her moving story.

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