More Alpine skiing News
Ten Horrifying Surgeries Later, the ‘Crippled Queen of Skiing’ Lindsey Vonn Receives a Heartfelt Motivation From Michael Phelps
days after Lindsey Vonn's tenth knee surgery, the alpine skier gets a motivational bsost by swimming Icon Michael Phelps on Instagram.
A Year After Reaching Out to Skiing Legend, Simone Biles Receives a 3-Word Response Post Comeback
At the U.S. Classic, Simone Biles secured victory with a 59.100 all-around score and a five-point lead, garnering praise.
“Almost as Bad as Your Bio”: Lindsey Vonn Shuts Down Haters After Tragic Loss for America
Lindsey Vonn once again comes in support of the athletes against the critics who were trolling them after a major setback on the ground.
After Almost Becoming Simone Biles’ Competitor, Alpine Ski Legend Drops 6-Word-Message on Her Historic Comeback
In an Instagram post Lindsey Vonn, Alpine Skiing legend left a six-word message to gymnastics queen Simone Biles after US Classic achievement.
“Severed My Spinal Cord”: After Life-Altering Injury Skiing Enthusiast Turns to an Unlikely Path
After an unfortunate accident altered her life, a brave athlete fought against all odds to find another sport to participate in and excel in.
With Simone Biles’ Comeback Hours Away 88-Time World Cup Winner Speaks Up on Her Return
American gymnastics sensation Simone Biles is back in the arena following her professional hiatus, once again supported by her friend.
Days After Another Surgery Lindsey Vonn Gears Up for an Unlikely Competition
Lindsey Vonn donned her skis to face a skiing contest with an unlikely competition just days after her second successful knee surgery.
After 88 World Cup Wins Mikaela Shiffrin Adds a New Goal to Her Bucket List
After conquering pretty much all the records in alpine skiing, legendary skier Mikaela Shiffrin surprises fans with what she wants next.
“Surgeon’s Nightmare”: Despite Recovery That Rekindled Hope Lindsey Vonn’s Latest Update Leaves Fans Concerned
Amid her recent surgery Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn faced backlash for pulling off her steri strips in a recent scar reveal video on Instagram.
Days After “Craving Winter” Mikaela Shiffrin Sends a Message to Mammoth Mountain
Olympian alpine skiier Mikaela Shiffrin finishes her summer training week on the California mountains. Skier shares a message on Instagaram
“Second Best Skier on the Planet”: As Influencer Goes Viral for Skiing on the Most Unlikely Terrain the Internet Cannot Hold Back
A unique surfing video went viral when the skier tried new adventure on the bushy forest, various fans reacted to the video.
As Solden World Cup Approaches Alpine Ski Legend Mikaela Shiffrin’s Spotted at an Unlikely Place
Mikaela Shiffrin is training for the upcoming alpine skiing competition of Giant Slalom which is scheduled to be on October 29th.
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.
