More Alpine skiing News
Following Unexpected Victory, Mikaela Shiffrin Shares the Countdown to Major Update at Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup 2023/24
Mikaela Shiffrin continues her pursuit for 100 World Cup wins in the latest domestic World Cup update after a hard-earned 89th win in Levi.
“I See What You Did There!”: Simone Biles Gets Laughed Off by U.S. Athlete Following Witty Remark for Jonathan Owens’ Victory
Simone Biles and her husband Jonathan Owens of the Green Bay Packers shared a wholesome moment that sparked laughter for another athlete.
Years After Driving for Same Brand As Sebastian Vettel, Lindsey Vonn Pens a Treasured Memory for F1 World
Lindsey Vonn's decade-long connection with F1 shines at Miami Grand Prix, uniting passion and dreams, fueled by her love for cars.
As Thanksgiving Takes Emma Stone to Mikaela Shiffrin’s Favorite Person, Skiing Legend Crafts a Heartfelt Tribute to the Occasion
Mikaela Shiffrin gets hyped up after the performance update by America's favorite artists for the Thanksgiving race in Killington.
Following Neymar’s Recent Declaration, Lindsey Vonn Leaves Bestfriend Lewis Hamilton in Loss Over Redbull
At the recent Grand Prix Race in Miami, F1 enthusiast Lindsey Vonn celebrates Red Bull Racing's double podium finish despite Hamilton's loss
“Carried Me Through”: Following Gut-Wrenching Tragedy Mikaela Shiffrin Credits Another For Her Skiing Career
Alpine skiing dominant Mikaela Shiffrin adds her name on another magazine feature, this time with her mother spilling all things unknown.
“Waste of Money”: With Another Race Force-Stopped, Skiing World Left Salty Amid Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup 2023/24
At the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup 2023/24, the harsh weather conditions of Zermatt had cancelled the men's and the women's downhill event
Years After Being Signed by Rolex, U.S. Legend Lindsey Vonn Makes Fans Drool After Posing With F1 Icon at Las Vegas Strip: “Two Legends of Speed!”
Alpine skiing legend Lindsey Vonn was present at the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix with her Rolex family and posed with Jackie Stewart.
Enroute to Rivalling Santa’s Sleigh, Mikaela Shiffrin Drops an Early Christmas Present
Alpine skiing legend Mikaela Shiffrin shares her early surprise win with fans ahead of Christmas celebrations.
Queen of Slopes Mikaela Shiffrin’s Top Skiing Moments
Here are the greatest moments of the legendary Mikaela Shiffrin, the queen of the slopes, who has made history in the world of Alpine skiing.
How Does Climate Affect Skiers At Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup 2023/24
With rising concerns about global warming, the false snow condition could play a role unforeseen for the ski athletes competing for World Cup
Following His Girlfriend Mikaela Shiffrin From Slopes to Style Aleksander Kilde Steps Into Over $4 Billion Fashion Venture
Following in the footsteps of his history-making girlfriend, Mikaela Shiffrin, Aleksander Kilde steps into a collaboration with a mega brand.
About Alpine skiing
Alpine Skiing is one of the most incredible sporting competitions in the world. As the name suggests, it is a winter sport and has its own spot at the Winter Olympics. It consists of sliding down the snow slopes, on skies that have fixed-heel bindings. With chair lifts and other facilities, skiing is practiced in ski resorts, across the world. Different skiers practice their sport and it is one of the most anticipated events at the Olympics. Along with it, the FIS World Cup and the World Championships are major competitions of the Alpine skiing community. There are five disciplines in modern-day skiing competitions- slalom, giant slalom, super-G, downhill, and the combined.
via Reuters
Alpine Skiing - FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Slalom - Zagreb, Croatia - January 4, 2022 Mikaela Shiffrin of the U.S. in action during her first run REUTERS/Antonio Bronic
History of Alpine Skiing
Skiing was first practiced during the 19th and 20th centuries. The International Ski federation recognized downhill racing back in the 1930s. Likewise, the first men's world championships were held in 1931; whereas, the women's events were added in 1950. The 1936 Winter Olympics in Germany, saw the first Alpine event make its debut. With all the history in place, the first slalom competition happened in Murren, Switzerland, back in 1922.
The five disciplines
In major competitions around the world, they use five disciplines in these competitions. The slalom and giant slalom competitions are technical events while the downhill and super-G events are speed events. The combined competitions have both technical and speed events to determine the winner. There are separate events for both men and women, along with mixed alpine competitions.
The slalom competition is the shortest discipline. It includes gates that skiers must go in between to finish the course. It is a fast and technical course that includes skiers maneuvering swift turns to finish fastest at the end. Giant slalom is bigger. It consists of different gates with two poles linked by flags. Finding the right path is a necessity that helps the skiers to post fast times. Downhill is one of the fastest competitions in skiing. As the name suggests, skiers just need to get down to the finishing line by posting the fastest times. They can attain an average speed of 80mph as massive jumps are a part of the course. Super-G is similar to downhill but the skiers make turns during the course. Patience is the key as they take tight turns at incredible speeds.
via Reuters
2022 Beijing Olympics - Alpine Skiing - Women's Giant Slalom Run 2 - National Alpine Skiing Centre, Yanqing district, Beijing, China - February 7, 2022. Nina O'Brien of the United States crashes during her run. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Greatest skiers in the world
There are many talented skiers who have captured the hearts and minds of skiing fans, across the world. But, there are a few who dominate the competition for a long time. With no particular order, these are the few legendary skiers in the world.
- Bode Miller: Miller is an Olympic and World Champion and is a two-time overall World Cup champion in 2005 and 2008. He has 33 world cup victories and has won the World Cup in all five disciplines.
- Ingemar Stenmark: Arguably the greatest skier of all time, Stenmark has won 86 international races in his career. The Swedish legend is adept in slalom competitions.
- Hermann Maier: During the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, the 'Herminator' suffered a major crash and still won the Olympic gold medal. He has 54 World Cup race victories.
- Lindsey Vonn: Having won four World Cup races and an Olympic gold medal, Vonn is a legend of the sport. She has 82 World cup victories and is one of the greatest skiers of all time.
via Getty
VAL-D'LSERE, FRANCE - DECEMBER 20: (FRANCE OUT) Lindsey Vonn of the USA takes 1st place during the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Women's Downhill on December 20, 2014 in Val-d'Isere, France. (Photo by Michel Cottin/Agence Zoom/Getty Images)
- Janica Kostelic: She is the only woman to win four gold medals for Alpine skiing at the Olympics and won three Alpine skiing gold medals in a single Olympic Games. Kostelic is a legend of the sport.
- Alberto Tomba: He won three Olympic gold medals, two World Championships, and nine World Cup season titles. Being the only male skier to win at least one World Cup race for 11 consecutive seasons, he is an icon of Alpine skiing.
- Mikaela Shiffrin: Being the youngest Olympic slalom champion in the sport's history, Shiffrin is a two-time Olympic gold medalist. Moreover, she won 17 World Cup races, in a single season, being the only one.
- Annemarie Moser-Proll: She won five consecutive World Cup titles in the 1970s and won another to make a grand total of six. A three-time Olympic medalist, Annemarie is incredible.
