The Next Turn - skiing, ski racing and sport: Recent Episodes
Martin Wilson
Conversations about Skiing, Ski Racing and Sport with some of the most successful and insightful skiers, coaches and forward thinkers in the world of skiing.
This week features a coaches roundtable with two of the most successful coaches in North America. Jeff Lackie of Green Mountain Valley School returns to The Next Turn, along with Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club’s Johno McBride. Both currently serve as Alpine Program Directors, and both have worked at the highest level of our sport, bringing a breadth of experience and knowledge to the table. The two discuss the approach that worked best with World Cup athletes, breaking down the nuances and highlighting similarities in their respective pathways to success. Additionally they highlight what, in their experience, works best in the developmental phases with athletes. This insightful, humorous and in-depth conversation is a must-listen. As always, we share our “Swix Thoughts of the Day.”
Austrian World Cup racer Marco Schwarz joins The Next Turn this week as he recovers from a crash in January. Prior to the injury, Schwarz had reached the podium in four out of the first eight World Cup races this year and was leading in the Overall at the time. He is now three months post op, and he remains focused on the future, using his time to prepare for the next season, both physically and mentally. As a four event skier, he discusses the differences in cues between disciplines and the adjustments he made this season in order to add speed events to his already packed schedule. Schwarz, who joined the Austrian team when he was just 18, talks about the mentors who guided him along the way and speaks to the importance of having confidence, managing pressure, and "finding the flow”. As always, we share our “SWIX Thoughts of the Day.”
We are expanding our horizons this week at the Next Turn by talking with Jessie Diggins, the American cross country standout, just days after clinching her second overall globe. Diggins talks candidly about how much she put on the line this season, how she defines success and the costs of it, in terms of both personal and team sacrifice. Always forthcoming and straightforward, Diggins opens up about her eating disorder and the impact that it’s had on her life on and off snow. She talks about her race energy management and what she hopes for the legacy she leaves behind. As the conversation flows, the parallels between the nordic and alpine worlds become more and more evident. And as always, we share our “SWIX Thoughts of the Day.”
The Next Turn is excited to be joined this week by Canadian speed skier, Cameron Alexander. Cam, a World Championship Bronze medalist, is in the midst of his best season to date as he heads into the World Cup Finals next week in Saalbach, Austria. In this episode he shares his thoughts on what has led to his success and shares what he has done to earn the right to not be surprised when the good results come. Alexander discusses his technical focuses in detail, and elaborates on where the improvements lie, as well as the benefits of having both long-term teammates and coaches to push his development. As always, Martin, Cara and Jeff share their “SWIX Thoughts of the Day
Back to back Kitzbühel winner Cyprien Sarrazin joins The Next Turn this week for a fascinating conversation. Sarrazin, who is coming back from a crash while training in Kvitfjell in February, opens up to us about his injury, his recovery, and his upcoming return to racing in Saalbach Austria. He talks us through his World Cup ascent and gives a glimpse into the mental exercises he employs on and off the hill. Sarrazin is incredibly honest and forthcoming. He even takes us inside the epic celebration at the Londoner pub following the Kitzbühel races, offering a slice of the ski racing culture that fans seldom see. As always, hosts Martin, Cara and Jeff share their “SWIX Thoughts of the Day”.
The Next Turn welcomes two veterans who bring close to a century of combined coaching wisdom to our coaches round table: Jeff Pickering, long time National team coach and current Western Region Development Director in the United States, and Joey Lavigne, Canadian Ski Hall of Famer and Director of National Capital Outaouais region in Ontario. Pickering shares insights from his journey, while across the border, Lavigne offers the Canadian perspective. Together, they speak to the passion that drives them, touching on the profound influence of sport values and the often unavoidable politics that accompany competitive skiing. They discuss the qualities that catch the eye of coaches, from raw athleticism to the often under-appreciated mental toughness that distinguishes the good from the great. Their discussion offers quite an honest glimpse into the realities of coaching at every level. They explore athlete retention, the critical athlete-coach relationship, and the development journey as a whole. As always, Martin, Cara and Jeff share their “SWIX Thoughts of the Day.”
This week The Next Turn is joined by Loïc Meillard, the Swiss athlete who has spent nine years on the World Cup circuit and has stood on the podium in three separate disciplines. In this episode Meillard talks about his training regimen, discussing the balance between pushing his limits and knowing when to rest, his ability to pivot between disciplines, and the lessons he’s learned from years of competition. Additionally, he looks forward to the remainder of the season, sharing his objectives and tactical adjustments for second runs, giving insight into what the Swiss coaches might be doing that other nationalities might not be. Meillard explains the importance of both family and coaches to his success as an athlete, and overall, offers a unique perspective on the complexities of high-level individual competition. As always, hosts Martin, Cara and Jeff share their “SWIX Thoughts of the Day.”
This week The Next Turn is joined by the multi-talented Macuga family. The three Macuga sisters are all on the U.S. National Team: Sam is a ski jumper, Lauren is an alpine speed skier and Alli is a mogul skier. Their younger brother Daniel is also an alpine skier, with his eyes set firmly on the World Cup. Each of the four siblings have found their individual calling, and in this episode they open up about their admiration for one another and talk through the strengths and unique abilities that set each apart in their respective sports, as well as their goals and aspirations. They also touch on the business side of skiing, from their teams to sponsorships, to managing the pressures of competitive sport. The siblings discuss the invaluable support of their parents Amy and Dan, as well. It’s a fascinating look into a remarkable family. As always, hosts Martin, Cara and Jeff share their “SWIX Thoughts of the Day.”
The Next Turn has missed watching Wendy Holdener on the circuit and was thrilled to catch up with her to get an update on how her rehab and return to snow is progressing. In this episode she talks through the progress she’s made in her recovery, sharing what it’s been like to watch the season unfold from the sidelines. Holdener talks through her technical cues as well, illuminating the preparation and self-awareness it takes to perform at her best. Looking forward, she explains that she’s been working with her ski manufacturer to produce a boot that will accommodate her reconstructed ankle, and she gives us some intel on her return to racing—it might just be sooner than any of us would have thought. As always, hosts Martin, Cara, and Jeff share their “SWIX Thoughts of the Day”.
Canadian downhillers Jack Crawford and Brodie Seger join us once again on The Next Turn, continuing their candid conversation with us this season, offering an honest look at the realities of being World Cup athletes. They discuss the importance of taking time off, recharging mentally and physically, and the subsequent journey back to a competition mindset. They have been with the same coach for years and talk about the evolution of that relationship. This episode doesn’t only offer a window into the world of elite skiing, but it also highlights the value of self-care for all athletes, offering a reminder that even those at the highest level face hurdles and insecurities. As always, hosts Martin, Cara, and Jeff share their “SWIX Thoughts of the Day.”
The Next Turn is thrilled to be joined by Canadian superstar Valérie Grenier. In this conversation, Grenier takes us through her season to date, which has been consistently strong. She opens up about struggles on difficult terrain, and shares why Kranjska Gora is a special venue for her, as is competing in a World Cup at home in Quebec. Grenier also explores the topic of communication and trust with coaches, as well as the mental aspects of racing. She explains the camaraderie and culture within the Canadian ski team, and reveals whether or not she is able to make a living as a North American ski racer. As always, hosts Martin, Cara, and Jeff share their “SWIX Thoughts of the Day”.
This week’s episode features two U.S. Ski Team standouts: Paula Moltzan and AJ Hurt. The duo caught up with us to share some laughs, some candid moments, and some insight into their careers. At 29, Moltzan is an experienced World Cup contender who can act as a mentor, and understands the art of building confidence as well as the journey back from injury. The pair talk about tactics, skiing well in training, life on the road, and how they maintain focus. Fresh off her first World Cup podium, Hurt opens up about the impact of this achievement. Her reflections provide a window into the mindset of an elite athlete who is truly on the rise.The two share a clear bond which is evident in this conversation. As always, hosts Martin, Cara and Jeff share their “SWIX Thoughts of the Day”.
This week we are beyond thrilled to be joined by two incredible downhill legends, Lindsey Vonn and Picabo Street. Revisiting the highs and lows of their careers, Vonn and Street speak to the importance of mental fortitude, self-confidence, and how they looked for and found the elusive fall-line. They also discuss work ethic, goal setting, brand partnerships, and the transition to life after competitive racing. After experiencing horrific injuries and the highs and lows of being in the public spotlight, what you’ll hear is that both still find great fulfillment in giving back and celebrating the sport of alpine ski racing. As always, hosts Martin, Cara and Jeff share their “SWIX Thoughts of the Day”.
This week The Next Turn hosts US Ski & Snowboard’s Alpine Director, Patrick Riml. This conversation offers a deep dive into the inner-workings of the US ski team. Riml speaks to the current American team culture, and how standout athletes like Mikaela Shiffrin integrate with the rest of the group. He touches on the support and funding for athletes, and shares his opinions on the rules and roadblocks that FIS has put in place regarding athletes sponsorship. Riml’s Austrian background also brings with it a unique perspective on coaching pathways and continuing education. As always, hosts Martin, Cara and Jeff share their “SWIX Thoughts of the Day”.
This week The Next Turn welcomes American World Cup athletes Bryce Bennett and Jared Goldberg. Bennett, fresh off his downhill win in Val Gardena, is the current downhill leader. The two give us insight into their season so far— from lack of snow to too much snow, to canceled races and life on the road. What you’ll hear later in the episode is a techie’s dream—they discuss boot fitting, ski testing, video review, and they even get into which technology they use to analyze their performance. Looking ahead to Bormio next week, Bennett and Goldberg share their thoughts on the track, the course set, and the venue. As always, hosts Martin, Cara and Jeff share their “SWIX Thoughts of the Day”.
Norwegian standout Ragnhild Mowinckel joins The Next Turn this week as she is in the midst of her self-proclaimed, toughest start to a season. “Ragmow” opens up to us about how she’s in the rebuilding phase of her skiing and her plan to regain her confidence. She talks about the Norwegian ski team culture, and the qualities that she believes make a good coach. She is honest and raw, and while she admits to struggling with a few things at the moment, you’ll hear that her positivity, patience and resilience are the biggest keys to regaining top form. As always, Martin, Cara and Jacques, share their “Swix Thoughts of The Day.”
Canadian slalom skiers Ali Nullmeyer, Laurence St-Germain, Ameila Smart all have unique backgrounds but share a similar path that has taken them through the NCAA to the World Cup circuit. The three join The Next Turn to talk through expectations going into this season, what they admire in each other's skiing, and how they push each other. They also speak to the loneliness they experienced on the Canadian pathway and the financial challenges they have faced and continue to face. As they discuss the sacrifices they’ve made and the lack of support they’ve had at times, what’s clear is that what these women do have is a special bond and camaraderie. They are clearly in it for the right reasons their performances to date reflect their role as contenders on the world stage. As always hosts Martin, Cara, and Jeff share their “SWIX Thoughts of the Day”.
In our first Coaches Roundtable of season 4, The Next Turn welcomes three former elite athletes turned coaches for a great conversation. Mike Janyk, Julien Cousineau and Will Brandenburg reflect on their respective World Cup eras, discuss the selflessness of coaching and the unique challenges that they faced in making the transition from ski racer to coach. The conversation explores success, growth mindset, athlete wellness, multi-sport training, cost-effective training, and they address the burning question: do kids really need to train in the summer months? As always, hosts Martin, Cara, and Jeff share their “SWIX Thoughts of the Day.”
We are doubly lucky here at The Next Turn and that means our listeners are too, because we were able to chat with American ski legend Ted Ligety not once but twice! In this interview Martin goes one-on-one with Ted, who reflects on his career, sharing his experiences with discovering speed, the influence of freeskiing on his development, and delves into the motivations behind his business, Shred. He sheds light on how his equipment has changed since retiring, and as a father of three children, he speaks about his role as a parent and the importance of raising lifelong skiers. Ligety also gives his two cents on the current World Cup athletes, and tells us who he’s betting on. As always, hosts Martin, Cara and Jeff share their “SWIX Thoughts of the Day.”
Swiss Alpine skier Daniel Yule joins The Next Turn this week for a conversation you won’t want to miss. Yule talks about his talent as a big event skier and about how he feeds off the energy of fans. He also reflects on his favorite venues, shares thoughts on World Cup sets, and discusses what he's focusing on technically in his own skiing, and in his equipment. As a member of the Swiss ski team during an era of dominance in every discipline, Daniel sheds a little light on his teammates, as well. As always, hosts Martin, Cara and Jeff share their “SWIX Thoughts of the Day”.
The Next Turn is thrilled to sit with the most successful French skier in World Cup history, Alexis Pinturault. His wife, Romane, joined the conversation, offering a unique behind the scenes look at the life of a World Cup athlete. Alexis shares insight into his somewhat shocking announcement that he will no longer be starting World Cup slalom races, instead shifting focus to GS and speed events, and he speaks to the learning curve involved in making that switch. He sheds light on the pressing issue of climate change and the role played by FIS in scheduling races. During our conversation, the couple also shares some happy news, possibly inadvertently revealing the gender of their upcoming addition to the Pinturault family. Don’t miss this amazing conversation. As always, hosts Martin, Cara, and this week’s guest host, Tom Kelly share their “SWIX Thoughts of the Day.”
What better way to kick off our fourth season than to host two of the greats. Ted Ligety and Bode Miller join us at The Next Turn, speaking to their respective journeys and how they pushed the limits, address and reflect on the stark contrast between themselves, and discuss how their techniques and approaches defy categorization. They talk through the grueling reality of life on the World Cup circuit, and the mental and physical toll it takes on athletes. Moving into their post-competitive lives, both open up about being parents and reveal their thoughts on whether their own kids will grow up ski racing. As always, hosts Martin, Cara and Jeff share their “Thoughts of the Day.”
In a conversation with two important and influential leaders in our sport from opposite corners of North America, Johnny Crichton Vice President of British Columbia Alpine and Sam Damon of US Ski & Snowboard Eastern Development Manager join The Next Turn to share their thoughts on everything from cost of sport, ski IQ, skier development and big picture thinking. They give us ideas on the challenges we face and where the solutions may lie. As always hosts Martin, Cara and Jeff share their “SWIX Thoughts of the Day”.
Joining the Next Turn this week is sixteen year World Cup veteran Ilka Štuhec. A three-time Junior World Champion (in three different disciplines) and two-time Downhill World Champion from Slovenia, Štuhec has battled multiple injuries and has managed to claw her way back to fighting shape, time after time. She’s stood on the top step of the podium twice this season, a full four years since her last win. In this honest conversation, Štuhec talks about what she needed to change both in herself and in her team as she’s evolved and also speaks to equipment and sponsor changes as well. Her most recent victory was at the final downhill of the season in Andorra, showing she has found her top form, yet again. As always, hosts Martin, Cara, and Jeff share their “SWIX Thoughts of the Day”.
Greek-American alpine athlete AJ Ginnis joins The Next Turn this week along with his coaches (and former athletes themselves) Sandy Vietze and Gaby Coulet. Ginnis, who skied for the US for seven years before making the decision to move to the Greek team, discusses the impetus for the switch and the resulting impact on sponsorship, funding, and his coaching team. Ginnis discusses his confidence, along with what is working for him and what he feels like he needs to work on. The trio cover their tactics, AJ’s first World Cup podium, his World Championships medal and yes, they also address “the straddle”. As always, hosts Martin, Cara and Jeff share their “SWIX Thoughts of the Day”.
The Next Turn is lucky enough to be joined by Italian powerhouse Federica Brignone this week, along with her brother and coach, Davide. We had the opportunity to speak with Fede early in the season, before she’d found her groove, and part of this conversation revolves around what’s changed for her since then, as she’s clearly hit her stride and had an incredible success. In this interview Brignone talks about patience in finding what she describes as “the feeling” again. Davide is a former ski racer himself, and as a supporting member of Fede’s coaching staff, he has valuable insight into what it takes to keep her performing at her best. Together, they talk about Fede’s ups and downs, her season to date, and the elements that lead to her performing at the highest possible level. As always, Fede is an open book and gives us a clear look into her process; we are so blessed to get to sit down with her again. As always, hosts Martin, Cara and Jeff share their “SWIX Thoughts of the Day.”
We are joined this week by Kathy Okoniewski and Pierre Ruel, two coaching professionals who have spent the majority of their careers working with high-level athletes, as well as coaching coaches. In this conversation they talk about the characteristics of a good coach, as well as the changing job description that many ski coaches are experiencing. They talk about adaptability, interacting with parents, and moonlighting as sports psychologists. They also delve into the importance of evolving and continuing to hone one’s coaching skills. As always, hosts Martin, Cara and Jeff share their “SWIX Thoughts of the Day”.
In part two of our athlete parents series, we are joined this week by three fathers of established World Cup athletes, Angus Crawford (Jack and Candace Crawford), Hugh Merryweather (Alice Merryweather) and Mark Moltzan (Paula Moltzan). These three experienced “World Cup Dads” share valuable insight, including how they handle the highs and the lows of ski racing, the often prohibitive cost of the sport, the critical importance of training groups, the nuances of parental involvement, the ins and outs of qualifying criteria, and overall athlete mental health. As always, hosts Martin, Cara and Jeff share their “SWIX Thoughts of the Day”.
U.S. Ski & Snowboard Chief of Sport, Anouk Patty, joins The Next Turn for a fascinating discussion about the organization’s development initiatives, the process of talent identification, and both the certification and education process for everyone from clubs, to coaches, to high performance athletes. Along with being a world-class ski racer, Patty has worked in corporate America, during which time she got her MBA at Harvard Business School. She’s been able to leverage her experience in the financial and tech industries in her current role, and this interview explores the various ways in which she’s done just that. Patty also speaks to athlete development pathways and talks about working to create an environment so that the athletes can best achieve their dreams. As always, hosts Martin, Cara and Jeff share their “SWIX Thoughts of the Day.”
America’s Brian McLaughlin and Belgium’s Sam Maes have taken two different paths to the World Cup, but both were facilitated by Global Racing, an organization based in Austria that helps support and develop world-class ski racers. In this conversation we speak with Global Racing Coach Paul Epstein, as well as McLaughlin and Maes –both of whom scored multiple World Cup points this season– and learn about advantages and disadvantages of being part of an independent team. With eight different nations represented on the Global Racing Team, Epstein explains the logistics of communicating with each federation in terms of qualification and entry to races. The trio also address the development gap and how Global Racing has created a much-needed platform for talented, motivated athletes who have fallen through the cracks. As always, hosts Martin, Cara and Jeff share their “SWIX Thoughts of the Day”.
It’s always a pleasure to talk to Switzerland’s Michelle Gisin, and we were thrilled to have her back on The Next Turn. Gisin, a rare four-event skier, won back-to-back gold medals in the Alpine Combined event at the last two Olympics, a Bronze medal in Super G at the Beijing Olympics, has won medals at the World Championships, and she has World Cup podiums in every discipline. However this season, Gisin hasn’t yet produced the results we’re used to seeing from her, and she’s very open about her struggles, shedding light on her long and arduous recovery from mononucleosis, her efforts to find motivation, and the impact of negative press. Gisin is thoughtful and honest in this interview which covers a wide range of topics. As always, hosts Martin, Cara and Jeff share their “SWIX Thoughts of the Day”.
The Next Turn is shifting gears somewhat this week, giving the microphone to three insightful women, all of whom are mothers to World Cup athletes. Joanne Gray (mom of Canada’s Cassidy Gray), Barbara Ann Cochran (mom of America’s Ryan Cochran-Siegle), and Karen Monsén (mom of Sweden’s Felix Monsén) speak to us about the role of the parent vs. the role of a coach and illuminate the life lessons that can be learned through ski racing. They discuss how important it is for an athlete to identify as more than just a ski racer, as well as the anxiety that comes along with being the parent of a child involved in a sport with inherent risks and inevitable injuries. As always, hosts Martin, Cara and Jeff share their “SWIX Thoughts of the Day”.
In the two years since we first spoke with him, American World Cup athlete Ryan Cochran-Siegle has added a few accolades to his resume— namely a silver medal at the 2022 Beijing Olympics. We connected with him and learned about the ups and downs of his recent equipment change, as well as his return to racing after a minor spine fracture sustained in Kitzbuhel. RCS talks through his current focus in training when it comes to technique and fundamentals and he also speaks of the impact of confidence on performance. He looks ahead to the races still to come this season, giving deep insight into his strategies and tactics for both the Wengen and Kitzbuhel courses. His good nature, openness and balanced outlook once again remind us of why it’s so easy to cheer for Ryan on and off the hill. As always, hosts Martin, Cara and Jeff share their “SWIX Thoughts of the Day”.
No stranger to injury and to the comeback, American World Cup athlete Breezy Johnson joins The Next Turn to talk through her ski racing journey to date. In this interview Johnson talks about the difference between skiing with confidence and without it, as well as the harsh reality that hard work doesn’t always guarantee results. Johnson is very candid about her high expectations and frustration with falling short. And while Breezy is a familiar visitor to the podium, she’s still chasing a World Cup win—don’t bet against her. As always, hosts Martin, Cara and Jeff share their “SWIX Thoughts of the Day”.
Two of the world’s best slalom skiers hail from the small ski nation of Croatia: 25 year old Leona Popović, who now is coming into her peak, and reigning World Junior Champion, 18 year old Zrinka Ljutić. The new teammates join The Next Turn to discuss their paths to the World Cup. While these two women are quite different from one another, they work and train together, motivating one another in the process. In this conversation they talk about everything from sharing course reports, to what they admire in each other’s skiing, as well as their hopes for the future. As always, hosts Martin, Cara and Jeff share their “SWIX Thoughts of the Day”.
If you haven’t heard of Lara Colturi, you haven’t been paying attention to alpine racing. Colturi is the young, Italian-born prodigy who has grown up being coached by her parents, former Olympic champion Daniela Ceccarelli and ski coach Alessandro Colturi. Colturi, who skis under the flag of Albania rather than her birthplace of Italy, made her World Cup debut at just 15 years of age and is already scoring World Cup points. In their first in-depth, English interview, Colturi and her mother Daniela join The Next Turn to give insight into Lara’s unique pathway, sharing their thought processes as well as plans for the future. As always, hosts Martin, Cara and Jeff share their “SWIX Thoughts of the Day”.
The Next Turn is thrilled to host Brandon Dyksterhouse, who is Green Mountain Valley School’s High Performance Consultant, and Patrick Biggs, who serves as Executive Director of Alpine Ontario, for an insightful conversation. Lifetime athletes, turned coaches and leaders, Biggs and Dyksterhouse discuss the state of the sport, from entry level through the World Cup, providing enlightening commentary and analysis. They also discuss the impact of data and technology on our work with athletes, in addition to addressing key performance indicators as they see them. You won’t want to miss this fascinating interview with these two talented professionals. As always, hosts Martin, Cara and Jeff share their “SWIX Thoughts of the Day”.
Bulgaria’s Albert Popov joins The Next Turn for a conversation about his career thus far along with his intentions and plans for the next phase as a World Cup contender. A strong junior racer, Popov won Topolino in 2013, transitioning onto the World Cup in 2015. At 5’5” tall, he is one of the shorter athletes on the tour, and he speaks about the advantages and disadvantages of his height as well as the adaptations he’s made to his technique to find success competing against people of much larger stature. Like many racers, Popov has had to overcome his share of challenges, including a very serious car accident at just 18 years old that led to the tragic passing of his coach. He was able to come back from that experience and find success, and he speaks of what he now needs to do to go from top 10 results, to podiums. As always, hosts Martin, Jeff and Cara share their “Thoughts of the Day”.
Tommy Ford joins The Next Turn for an interview that covers the range of highs and lows he’s encountered in his career to date. Ford talks very candidly about the injuries he’s faced and what he’s learned each time he’s pushed through a comeback to racing. He discusses the value of proper mental health, highlighting how he has spent time and effort into understanding how he works and learns best. Ford looks ahead to this season, sharing that he’s feeling good and it shows in his results; he had a strong first race of the season in Söelden with a sixth-place finish and is eagerly looking ahead to racing at home in Beaver Creek. As always, hosts Martin, Cara and Jeff share their “SWIX Thoughts of the Day”.
Austria’s Katharina Liensberger joins The Next Turn for a conversation about her career to date and her aspirations for the current season. At the age of 25, Liensberger has earned 14 podiums, three wins, Olympic gold, Olympic silver, and a Slalom Crystal Globe. A tech specialist at a time where the talent and depth of the field is unimaginably deep, Liensberger is working with a completely new support team — from coaches to servicemen — so they are still getting to know each other as the season progresses, which brings both unique challenges and opportunities as well. As always, hosts Martin, Cara and Jeff share their “SWIX Thoughts of the Day”.
French alpine athlete Clément Noël joins The Next Turn for a candid interview about his career to date, covering topics such as risk taking as well as internal and external pressures and expectations. In addition to winning Olympic Gold, Noël has reached the podium 17 times, with nine wins over six seasons on the World Cup tour. An incredibly self-aware and thoughtful athlete, Noël shares his intentions for this year’s World Championships, which will be a home event for him this February in Courchevel. As always, hosts Martin, Cara and Jeff share their “Swix Thoughts of the Day”.
France’s Tessa Worley, who won her second Giant Slalom World Cup title in front of a home crowd last season, joins The Next Turn for a great conversation about where she’s been and where she’s headed. In 17 seasons on the tour, Worley has had 16 wins and 36 podiums. In this interview she talks about putting in the hard work and gaining confidence, discusses the team she surrounds herself with, and talks through how she’s employed a few new tactics recently, including quality of training over quantity. Looking ahead to 2023, the World Championships are in France and Worley speaks to expectations, stress and the excitement of performing in front of a home crowd. As always, hosts Martin, Cara, and Jeff share their “SWIX Thoughts of the Day.”
Croatia is a small skiing nation, but it has an oversized history of success in skiing, and Filip Zubčić has risen to the occasion to carry the torch. Born in Zagreb, Zubčić has competed for Croatia in three Winter Olympics and six World Championships. The three-time World Cup winner was third in the giant slalom season standings in 2020 and 2021. Zubčić joins the Next Turn to discuss his upbringing and how strength and conditioning are and were paramount. 2022 was a tough year for Filip, and he speaks to what was missing from his skiing last season, saying he knows exactly what he needs to do going forward. Zubčić talks through his equipment set up, how and when he reviews video, and even how he warms up in the morning. As always, Martin, Cara and Jeff share their “Swix Thoughts of the Day”.
The Next Turn is back, powered by Protern.io and what better way to kick off season three than with Swedish World Cup ski racer Sara Hector. Hector, the reigning Olympic gold medalist in giant slalom, won her first World Cup in 2014, and it was seven years before she found herself in that top position again. In this interview she shares her journey through injuries and other obstacles in her career to date. Hector had the season of a lifetime last year, finishing second overall in the World Cup GS standings, and she’s mentally and athletically positioned herself for a brilliant season ahead. As always, Martin, Jeff and Cara share their “Swix Thoughts of the Day”.
Allison Forsyth is a legendary Canadian skier and now, fourteen years after retiring from skiing, she is a legendary advocate who speaks out against abuse on behalf of athletes of all ages and across all sports. She joins us on The Next Turn to talk through her experiences and to shed light on the world of Safe Sport.
In addition to bravely sharing pieces of her own story, Forsyth also illuminates the commonalities that exist among so many of these cases in the interest of helping to raise awareness among parents, coaches, volunteers and athletes and ultimately, to pave the way for a better and safer sport culture. As always, Martin, Cara and Jeff share their “Thoughts of the Day.”
The Next Turn is back with another thought-provoking episode this week featuring Erik Guay. This former World Champion and current Alpine Canada Board Member is also a parent and coach of young athletes. Guay speaks about his path from competitor to coach and about how to best help kids acquire the technical and tactical skills he sees as vital in the development of the next generation of skiers in Canada. As always, Martin, Cara and Jeff share their “Thoughts of the Day.”
As he reaches the end of a breakthrough season, Spanish slalom sensation Joaquim Salarich joins The Next Turn for an enlightening conversation. Salarich has had multiple top ten finishes this season, along with a recent top five in Méribel at World Cup Finals. He shares what key changes he’s made that have resulted in a dramatic improvement to his slalom results, and talks through the impact of this success on both him and his career. As always, Martin, Jeff and Cara share their “Thoughts of the Day”.
Gold medal winners from last week’s Team Event at the World Junior Championships, Cassidy Gray, Justine Lamontange, Etienne Mazellier, and Raphaël Lessard, join us on The Next Turn for a lively and engaging dialogue. The conversation recaps their recent win, sheds light on the careers and paths of each athlete, and takes a look at both the strengths and weaknesses of each as skiers. The four top juniors also share their unique and timely perspectives concerning the ongoing discussion about the development system for alpine athletes. As always, Martin, Cara and Jeff their “Thoughts of the Day.”
Get ready for some incredible insight from two of the sport’s most talented coaches this week. Olympic gold medalist and Burke Mountain Academy’s Junior Program Director, Diann Roffe, and long-time Quebec team coach, Francis Royal, join us for a riveting conversation that examines the development of good, early fundamentals, looks at what makes good coaching, explores how to manage parent expectations, and works through how to best support athlete wellness. As always, hosts Martin, Cara and Jeff share their “Thoughts of the Day”.
This week, as we continue our discussions with some of the sport’s top coaches, former World Champion John Kucera, now the Head Men's Speed Coach for Alpine Canada, and Assistant Coach Chris Powers, also of Alpine Canada, join us for a great conversation that delves into what defines good skiing and good coaching. The two talked with us upon their return from the Olympics, and the interview features their thoughts on the current top athletes, the up-and-comers, and details their experience in Beijing, covering everything from course conditions, to Alpine Combined results. As always, hosts Martin, Cara and Jeff share their “Thoughts of the Day”.
The Next Turn is thrilled to be joined by two coaches this week who both hold pivotal roles within the sport. Kristina Revello, former FIS athlete who is now the Regional Development Coach for US Ski and Snowboard’s Rocky Central Region, and Mike Janyk, Canadian National Team member who is now the Executive Director of Whistler Mountain Ski Club. This thoughtful conversation runs the gamut, examining topics like multi-sport exposure for athletes, coach development, course setting, ski IQ, and the good, the bad and the ugly of “Live Timing”. As always, hosts Martin, Jeff and Cara share their “Thoughts of the Day”.
Get ready for a fascinating discussion from two extremely high-level coaches that will undoubtedly prove invaluable to coaches, parents and athletes alike. Joining us on The Next Turn are Paul Epstein, a long-time alpine coach and former ski racer who is the founder and CEO and Head Coach of Global Racing, and Willie Booker, also a former racer with a breadth of experience at the helm of companies like Nordica and Fischer, who has been Head of Burke Mountain Academy since 2017. Epstein and Booker candidly discuss coaching tactics, the ins and outs of coach development, analyze what might be missing in athlete development as early as the U12 level, and highlight the integral role that coaches and atmosphere play in the long-term development of athletes from both a physical and mental standpoint. As always, hosts Martin, Cara and Jeff share their “Thoughts of the Day”.
As the Olympic slalom nears, The Next Turn shares a conversation with young American slalom specialist, Luke Winters. The Oregon native gives insight on the dues he has paid breaking into the World Cup points and how he intends to find more success on the way to the podium. From the technical changes he has made, to the belief system that holds the dream together, the conversation touches on it all. As always, Martin, Cara and Jeff share their “Thoughts of the Day.”
At a time of great excitement and promise for the alpine program of Great Britain, the country’s best female racer, Charlie Guest, joins us on The Next Turn. As Guest finds her way into the top of World Cup slalom, she reflects on the brutal road of injuries, how she regained her physical well-being and how she intends to use this phase of her career. From nitty gritty technical talk to the business side of the sport —she is currently looking for a coveted helmet sponsor— the Scottish skier shares her insights, struggles and successes. As always, Martin, Cara and Jeff share their “Thoughts of the Day.”
Dexter Paine, the Vice President of the Fédération Internationale de Ski, joins The Next Turn, providing a rare opportunity for a candid conversation with a top leader of our sport’s governing body. Paine shares his long history in the sport, beginning as a youth racer in a family of volunteers, taking us through his 13-year tenure as the Chairman of United States Ski and Snowboard Association. In his current role since 2014, Paine weighs in on a variety of topics and answers tough questions on issues like broadcast rights, athlete safety, and mental health, while also explaining his vision for how FIS needs and intends to evolve into the future. As always, Martin, Cara and Jeff share their “Thoughts of the Day.”
If you have ever watched a World Cup ski race, then you have certainly heard at least one of the four legendary voices we’re lucky enough to feature in this episode. Eurosports’ Nick Fellows, Steve Porino of NBC in the United States, Canadian Broadcasting Company’s Brian Stemmle and Tina Weirather of Switzerland’s SRF give us an inside look at how they give life to World Cup races for viewers and listeners around the world. We get a chance to hear their perspective about their roles, the preparation that goes into each broadcast, the stories they love, and the skiers they root for; we even get a bold prediction or two. No topic is left unturned, including the evolution of FIS safety, as well as how their roles as broadcasters may evolve in the future. As always, Martin, Jeff and Cara share their “Thoughts of the Day.”
It is not often we get a behind the scenes look at one of the world’s largest snow sports organizations. In this episode, Therese Brisson, President and CEO of Alpine Canada, joins The Next Turn and provides that access. Brisson explains how her long, successful career as a hockey player, professor, boardroom executive and athlete advocate have prepared her for the challenges of her current role. From development pipeline and geographical issues, to funding, branding and more, Brisson gives the data and the philosophies behind her efforts to make Canada both a World Cup and an Olympic leader in the coming years. As always, Martin, Cara and Jeff share their “Thoughts of the Day”.
Nina O’Brien is in the midst of solidifying her place as both one of the top seeds on the World Cup, as well as one the leaders among America’s next generation of racers. Nina joins The Next Turn to discuss the technique and tactics she is utilizing to find success at the moment, the adjustments she has made and the hard lessons she has learned along the way. In a broad and insightful conversation, O’Brien reveals the personality behind one of the most exciting young skiers on the tour. As always, Martin, Cara and Jeff share their “Thoughts of the Day
American downhill veteran Steve Nyman is in the midst of returning to form after a nearly two year hiatus due to injury. The multiple World Cup winner joins The Next Turn to give details on his progress at finding top speed, his method of learning and what he now knows that he wishes he knew when he was younger. Nyman is open and honest about the challenges that lay ahead for him and how his approach to success has evolved. As always, Martin, Jeff and Cara share their “Thoughts of the Day”.
Two time Paralympic Champion and multiple medal recipient, Canadian Mac Marcoux joins The Next Turn for an engaging conversation. Marcoux, a blind skier with an accomplished career, is currently gearing up for the 2022 Paralympics in Beijing. Marcoux skis and competes alongside his guide, Tristan Rodgers, who also joins us for the discussion. Together, they give us an in-depth description of Rodgers’ role, describe the language they use to communicate effectively on and off the hill, and detail the level of trust required for success. Additionally, Marcoux reveals his goals for the future and the legacy he wishes to leave behind. As always, Martin, Jeff and Cara share their “Thoughts of the Day''.
Paula Moltzan’s journey to land in the top seed of the Women’s World Cup in slalom has been long and measured. At the age of 27, she is realizing goals and is poised for even more success. A lot of her recent accomplishments, confidence and willingness to push hard are a result of the environment she has created with fiancé Ryan Mooney, who plays the role of ski tech, coach, and business manager, while also holding a day job as a freelance photographer. Paula and Ryan share the inner-workings of the team they have built together, the equipment set up they’ve landed on, Moltzan’s strengths as a skier, and how they intend to parlay all those assets into big things in the future. As always, Martin, Cara and Jeff share their “Thoughts of the Day”.
Sofia Goggia is defending both her World Cup Downhill title and her Olympic Gold Medal this season, all while coming back from recent injury. Yet in true Sofia style, she reports that she is feeling better than ever. Goggia joins The Next Turn for an incredibly direct and candid conversation, where the personality and priorities of the reigning queen of downhill are both revealed. She shares what she believes has enabled her to be so successful over the years, what goes into executing her plan, and how her fast and fearless skiing is a direct reflection and expression of her truest self. As always, Martin, Cara, and Jeff share their “Thoughts of the Day”.
Alice Robinson is already New Zealand's most successful skier ever, and she is only just getting started. Robinson joins us to discuss how she got to this point of her career, plans to add speed events to her schedule, and to explain how she intends to solidify her spot as a consistent threat on the World Cup circuit. Robinson also divulges her strategies to stay happy and healthy through the highs and lows that ski racing presents. These strategies for success seem to be firmly established thanks to a well-rounded and incredibly “normal” upbringing. As always, Martin, Cara and Jeff share their own “Thoughts of the Day.”
Canadian slalom duo Erin Mielzynski and Laurence St-Germain are two incredibly close teammates and friends. In this interview, we hear how that closeness defies their divergent paths, opposing strengths and weaknesses, and their unique mental approaches to managing expectations and pressures. In their words, one is the yin to the other’s yang. Mielzynski and St-Germain reveal the many benefits of their powerful relationship and how having the steadfast belief and support of a fellow teammate can be of invaluable help on the often bumpy road to success. As always, Martin, Cara and Jeff share their “Thoughts of the Day”.
River Radamus jumped into the spotlight with huge successes at the Youth Olympics and World Junior Championships, captivating fans everywhere with flashy hair styles, acrobatic celebrations and viral challenges. During our conversation, River reveals that there is a lot more depth to the young American upstart. Going far beyond the style and diving deep into the substance of his unrelenting pursuit of success, River explains his own definition of success , and his thoughtful and meticulous approach to achieving it. As always, Martin, Jeff and Cara share their “Thoughts of the Day.”
Welcome Back to The Next Turn! Season two kicks off with steely British Ski Team leader, Dave Ryding. In a candid and in-depth conversation, Ryding goes into detail about his unorthodox pathway to the World Cup, his methodical approach to development on snow, and explains how honest self-talk helps keep him motivated. He shares the training tactics and mental techniques that just might lead to the 34 year old’s best slalom results yet. As always, hosts Martin, Cara and Jeff share their “Thoughts of The Day”.
As the first season of The Next Turn comes to close, we thought it would be fitting to highlight the insights of some of the loyal listeners of our podcast. They are coaches, parents and fans who have joined our “pursuit of better” from episode to episode. Now it is their turn to share their own “Thoughts of the Day” with all of us so we can learn from them as they discuss guests, subjects and themes that inspired them to listen and think a little differently about the sport we all care for deeply. And yes, as always, Martin, Jeff and Cara share their “Thoughts of the Day” too.
Warren Jobbitt and Sasha Rearick are two of the most influential leaders in skiing throughout North America in the last two decades. Jobbitt as a long term member and Head Coach of the Canadian Interski team, and Rearick as the Head Coach of the Men’s US Ski team. They joined us this week and both shared their beliefs, experiences and philosophies on what good skiing and teaching means, what the best instructors and coaches have in common, as well as where the differences lie. You might just be surprised with the conversation. As always, Martin, Jeff and Cara share their “Thoughts of the Day”.
Canada’s Marie-Michèle Gagnon and America’s Travis Ganong are two of the best speed skiers in North America. They are also a long-standing couple, which presents truly unique advantages and perspectives on the World Cup. They joined us on The Next Turn, where they shared their views on measuring and preparing for success, discussed how they dial in their equipment as well as the process of absorbing information during each run, and talked through what they believe they need to do to continue their pursuit of better. As always, hosts Martin, Cara and Jeff share their “Thoughts of the Day”.
First came the Crazy Canucks, then the Canadian Cowboys--could this trio be next? Alpine Canada athletes Brodie Seger, Jeffery Read, and Jack Crawford joined us this week on The Next Turn to discuss the value of their team dynamic, how they are absorbing insight and experience with every World Cup start, and the role that their coach and former World champion Johnny Kucera plays in their development. The trio each takes a turn sharing his thoughts on the skiing of the other two, and they all enjoy more than a few laughs along the way. As always, hosts Martin, Cara and Jeff share their “Thoughts of the Day”.
Both of the 2021 NCAA Women’s Alpine Champions are based out of Panorama, BC and both are members of Canadian National team. Amelia Smart and Cassidy Gray have certainly made their mark on the NCAA circuit. Gray started strong in her freshman season this year with University of Colorado Boulder’s Buffs by taking the NCAA title in GS, while Smart finished out her senior season at University of Denver by taking the NCAA title in the slalom to go along with her GS and slalom titles from 2018. Smart and Gray joined us on the Next Turn to talk through achieving balance between the NCAA race circuit, the World Cup circuit, and academics, as well as to laud the benefits of racing with and for a team at the college level. Both discuss their techniques for remaining present and focused on race day, as well as strategies for putting together two solid runs. Hosts Martin, Jeff, and Cara share their “Thoughts of the Day.”
It is safe to say that for many of us, our love of skiing was fostered by small hills in small communities. That upbringing often results in a lifelong commitment to skiing that’s passed down to future generations. In this episode, we talk to three people who give their lives and energy to making sure these small hills survive and that our sport continues to thrive. Jason Gerry of Loch Lomond in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Scott McGrew of Rotarun in Hailey, Idaho and Katherine Seleski of Pass Powderkeg, in Crowsnest Pass, Alberta share stories and philosophies about their mission, which is to save the sport for generations to come. Hosts Martin, Cara and Jeff share their “Thoughts of the Day.”
2020 World Cup overall champion Federica Brignone joins The Next Turn for a candid conversation, where she addresses recent retirement rumours head on. The Italian alpine powerhouse discusses her performance throughout the last season, how Covid restrictions affected her, and what adjustments she plans to make for her own happiness and to continue her career on her own terms. Hosts Martin, Jeff, and Cara share their “Thoughts of the Day”.
Legendary Eurosport broadcaster, Nick Fellows brings an unmatched level of energy and enthusiasm to commentating to the World Cup that draws in both lifelong fans and new viewers alike. Fellows, a former ski racer for Great Britain, has earned both the trust and respect of the athletes, giving him first rights to inside info and insight into what makes them tick. He joined us on The Next Turn for a thoroughly entertaining talk about some of the biggest names and events in the sport, as well as his outlook on how FIS can best evolve to support the racers of today and the ever-growing fanbase of the sport. Hosts Martin, Cara and Jeff share their “Thoughts of the Day.”
Canadian World Cup skier Erik Read’s alpine roots run deep; his brother Jeff is his teammate on the Canadian team, his mom Lynda is a former national team member, and their father is none other than the legendary “Crazy Canuck”, Ken Read. Erik shares his insights on FIS, the NCAA pathway, the difference between good skiing and fast skiing, and ponders what it will take to be a medal contender in the near future. As always, Martin, Jeff and Cara share their “Thoughts of the Day.”
US Ski Team coach Jeff Lackie talks openly about what goes into being the coach of the greatest female ski racer of all time, Mikaela Shiffrin. Lackie shares insight into the methodology of planning and executing the race and training program for Shriffrin, along with his use of data to help provide guidance for the best possible options for her success. Additionally, he gives his take on what’s important for coaches and young athletes in the sport. Hosts Martin, Jeff and Cara share their “Thoughts of the Day.”
A die-hard, lifelong skier, US Ski Team Moguls athlete Hannah Soar talks about her pursuit of World Cup success and her deep Killington, Vermont roots, where she cultivated her passion for skiing bumps, forged ties with her “Bump Gang”, and now thrives as a role model for young girls following her tracks. Hosts Martin, Cara and Jeff share their “Thoughts of the Day”.
Olympic and World Cup legends, Ivica Kostelić and Jan Hudec, pull no punches while discussing the recent events at the Alpine World Championships in Italy, shed light on athlete concerns with regards to safety and fairness on the World Cup circuit, and provide ideas for solutions and improvement. This honest and forthright discussion is sure to raise some eyebrows and get people talking. Hosts Martin, Cara and Jeff share their “Thoughts of the Day.”
Phil McNichol, former coach of Bode Miller, Ted Ligety, Daron Rahlves, now High Performance Director of Alpine Canada, and Olympian Gar Trayner, Director of Sport Education for US Ski and Snowboard, share their viewpoints in this engaging conversation on how to best support children through their progression in the ski racing world through their development into young adults. Hosts Martin, Jeff, and Cara share their “Thoughts of the Day”.
Ryan Cochran-Siegle
U.S. Ski Team member Ryan Cochran-Siegle talks through the impact of the recent neck fracture he sustained racing downhill in Kitzbühel on both his training and competition plans. Additionally, Cochran-Siegle shares how he relieves pressure on race days and works to stay present in the moment, the value of growing up on a small, family mountain, and how parents of ski racers can best support their children on and off the hill. As always, Martin, Cara and Jeff share their, “thoughts of the day.”
Griffin Post, American Freeskier, X Games gold medallist, and Teton Gravity Research athlete, discusses how he built a career using both skiing and business acumen, what goes into the planning of a project and how his racing background prepared him and others for a life in the snow. Hosts share their “Thoughts of the Day.”
In this episode, Norwegian Alpine Ski Team member Atle Lie McGrath discusses his career trajectory to date, including his World Cup podium in GS at Alta Badia in 2020, the motivating nature of his lifelong friendship with teammate Lucas Braathen, the culture and support of the legendary “Attacking Vikings”, and finally how his choice of Alpine over Nordic came down to a massive cinnamon bun that any other reward proved difficult to rival. As always, the hosts share their “thoughts of the day.”
In this episode, 1984 Gold Medalist Deb Armstrong talks openly about pathways for continued progress in the ski racing world to best support and retain female athletes, the lasting impact of the notorious "Lange Girl" ad campaign, as well as her post Olympic evolution into a leading instructor and coaching in the industry. As always, Hosts Martin, Jeff and Cara share their "Thoughts of the Day."
Swiss skier Michelle Gisin opens up about her family dynamics, the parallels between family and team, and how her mindfulness and her “heartfulness” have led to her biggest successes so far. Hosts Martin, Jeff and Cara share their insights and takeaways in “thoughts of the day”
U.S. Ski Team member Alice Merryweather discuses a wide range of topics in this hour-long interview. She shares her thoughts on ski academy life, mindfulness, what makes a healthy environment, and a telling video she made called "Boys, Food and Autograph Signings." Hosts Martin and Jeff wrap by sharing their "Thoughts of the Day".