From the start in Sölden to the far north to Levi, then back to the Tyrolean Ötztal to Gurgl: the ski aces covered 5,000 kilometers as the crow flies for the first three World Cup stops, even before the entourage moved to the USA. Apart from the fact that skiing in particular is directly affected by the consequences of global warming, the strains of travel take a toll on athletes. As in the case of Manuel Feller, it is not very edifying to fly to the USA for just one race, the giant slalom in Beaver Creek (December 8th), especially since the Tyrolean’s form is at stake in all three races of the season failed, is not in good order. “A lot of effort for just one race,” says Feller, who is “unfortunately leaving for America” after a huge slalom training session at home. After all: “It’s a slope that suits me.” After two slalom threaders recently, the giant slalom could possibly be just the right change, the 32-year-old continued. As expected, the technology specialist will not be racing downhill and Super-G. Just like in previous winters, speed riders overseas are experiencing the start of their season.
Mikaela Shiffrin has four races on the program over the next two weekends in Killington (USA) and Mont-Tremblant (Can), but the series winner is still not happy with the calendar planning. “My honest opinion is: It’s challenging to be in Sölden, then in Levi, then back in Gurgl and then in Killington. It’s really hard on the body and the mind,” says the 29-year-old.
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The fact that Gurgl and Sölden – both World Cup locations are part of the municipality of Sölden – are planning a joint double weekend has met with widespread approval. The most successful athlete in history, with 99 World Cup victories, can also benefit from the idea. “It would be ideal,” says Shiffrin, knowing that if the Gurgl races had been scheduled earlier they would have been extremely shaky due to the snow situation. “The season should start later and possibly end later. I know it’s easier said than done. But maybe there are some ways to structure it so that we can keep the racing but also make the travel more physically and environmentally sensible.” , Shiffrin positions himself.
What are the potential solutions to mitigate the negative effects of travel on World Cup skiers?
## Globetrotting Ski Racers: Too Many Miles, Too Little Time?
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Today, we’re talking about the grueling early season schedule for World Cup skiers, with athletes racking up thousands of miles of travel just to get to the first few races. To help us understand the impact of this travel-heavy schedule, we’ve got former pro skier and commentator, Sarah Jensen, with us. Sarah, thanks for joining us.
**Sarah:** It’s great to be here.
**Host:** So, as we mentioned, these skiers traveled over 5,000 kilometers just to get to the first three World Cup races. That’s a lot of time spent in airports and on airplanes. How is this extensive travel impacting the athletes?
**Sarah:** It’s definitely taking a toll. You’ve got jet lag, fatigue from the traveling itself, and then you’re thrown right into intense competition. Their bodies are still adjusting to different time zones and climates, which can affect performance. Plus, as the article [[1](https://enjoywinter.com/read-skipost/2025-fis-world-cup-calendar-announcement-and-lots-of-lumi-trip-overlap/)]mentions, this comes at a time when many athletes are already dealing with the strain of early season races and trying to find their rhythm.
**Host:** And we see this with Manuel Feller, who’s quoted in the article. He’s flying to the US for just one race, the giant slalom in Beaver Creek. He admits it’s “a lot of effort for just one race.” What are the consequences of these ‘one-off’ races on a skier’s performance and morale?
**Sarah:** It’s not ideal. These short trips disrupt their training routines and can add to the stress of competition. It can be mentally draining to travel so much, especially when you’re facing performance pressure. Plus, missing out on precious training days at home can put them behind their competitors who are training consistently. It’s a real balancing act.
**Host:** Looking ahead, do you see any changes coming to the FIS World Cup schedule to address these travel concerns?
**Sarah:** There’s definitely a debate about making the schedule more sustainable. Some are suggesting regional groupings for races to reduce travel distances, while others argue that maintaining the current format is crucial for the global reach of the sport. It’s a complex issue with no easy solutions.
**Host:** Well, Sarah, thank you so much for bringing your insights to the conversation. It’s clear that the impact of travel on these athletes is significant, and it’s a conversation that is sure to continue as the World Cup season progresses.