Formed in South Tyrol: Sweden's future ski superstars

Klausberg, December 12, 2020: The European Cup season begins after countless cancellations in South Tyrol - and with a victory for the Italian Lara Della Mea. The next day another slalom takes place in Ahrntal, this time Martina Dubovska is at the top of the podium. So far nothing earth-shattering. However, one country is so impressed by the South Tyrolean atmosphere that it quickly decides to set up its training tents here. It is the Swedes who will shape the continental racing series in the next few months.

In the current season, four (!) different Swedish athletes who were born after the turn of the millennium have climbed to the European Cup podium. For comparison: In Italy, an athlete of the same age couldn't even begin to achieve this. Figures that show that golden times lie ahead for Scandinavians. A gold and silver medal at this year's Junior World Championships supports this thesis. But how can this upswing be explained? And what role does South Tyrol play in this? Christian Thoma is the doer The most important person in this brilliantly functioning construct is Christian Thoma. The 47-year-old from Stilfs has been active as a coach in Sweden since 2012 and has held the position of head coach since last year. Through his philosophy, Thoma made the pure “slalom nation” more diverse and also led it to the top in the world in giant slalom. He says: “There isn’t a huge amount of skiers in Sweden. It is important to support the good year groups through individual programs, to distribute resources wisely and to provide them with good coaches and service people.” This happened last year when the European Cup team was made up almost entirely of juniors. “You have to adapt the structures every year and invest in the right areas,” emphasizes Thoma.

Investments, such as in diversity, i.e. in disciplines other than slalom. “We make sure that work is already being done on this in the youth sector,” says Thoma. In his opinion, Jessica Lindell-Vikarby's bronze medal at the 2015 World Championships in Beaver Creek and Vail inspired many athletes. It's no coincidence that the last two giant slalom world champions at the Junior World Championships, Sara Rask and Hanna Aronsson Elfman, come from Sweden. “The work is bearing fruit,” says the South Tyrolean happily.

As already mentioned above, the team not only benefits from South Tyrolean know-how, but also from the training opportunities that our country offers. While the World Cup team - like Petra Vlhova - is based in Vipiteno, the European Cup team spends large parts of the season in Klausberg. Also Sara Rask, who at the age of 21 has already won two European Cup races and a junior world championship title. She has also been able to earn World Cup points in the current season. “We are treated very well in Klausberg, it’s like being at home. “In general, I love South Tyrol because the sun always shines,” says Rask. Healthy competition Especially in these times (“I was only at home for seven days in the winter.”) a place to which you can always return is important. “This season was extreme. The team feeling grows even more with the teammates and the coaches. We are like a family," says Rask, who believes that many factors are responsible for the Swedish high: "I think everyone wants to train a lot, constantly improve and be faster than the other, but in a good way. We also have great trainers and service men,” emphasizes the woman from Sollentuna.

They are not athletes who want to lie in bed. You want to train. For example at Kronplatz, on the Furklpass or in Klausberg. The goal of Rask, Aronsson Elfmann & Co. is to soon gain a foothold in the World Cup. There is no question that this will work, given the great talent of each individual. And the South Tyrolean ski fans can be a little happy if one of them sits in the hot seat of the leaders at some point.

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Formed in South Tyrol: Sweden's future ski superstars

If you look at this year's ski season, one thing is certain: a new generation of exciting athletes is growing up. Research into the burgeoning Swedish ski movement, which is closely linked to South Tyrol.

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