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 environmental impacts of professional ski racer travel?
## The Price of Peaks: A Look at Ski Racer Travel
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Welcome back to the show. Today we’re talking about the grueling travel schedule faced by professional skiers, especially as the World Cup circuit jets across the globe. Joining us today is Alex Reed, a sports journalist specializing in alpine skiing.
Alex Reed, thanks for joining us.
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Alex Reed: Thanks for having me.
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You recently wrote about the long distances skiers are covering as the World Cup season gets underway. Can you give us a sense of just how far these athletes are traveling?
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Alex Reed: Absolutely. Just for the first three stops - Sölden, Levi, and Gurgl – skiers faced a staggering 5,000 kilometers of travel, and that’s before they even head to the USA for the next race!
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That’s an incredible distance. Aside from the obvious jet leg, what kind of toll does all this travel take on these athletes?
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Alex Reed: Well, beyond the physical fatigue, the constant travel can be incredibly draining mentally. Take Manuel Feller for example, he’s heading to Beaver Creek, Colorado for just one giant slalom race – that’s a lot of effort for a single event. And he’s not even in top form right now. [[1](https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/skiing-trips)]
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That definitely highlights the pressure these athletes are under. Not to mention the potential environmental impact of all this flying.
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Alex Reed: Precisely. Skiing is already directly impacted by climate change, and the travel associated with professional competitions adds to the sport’s carbon footprint. It’s a complex issue with no easy solutions.
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Well said. Thank you for shedding light on this important topic, Alex Reed.
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Alex Reed: My pleasure.
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That’s all the time we have for today.
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**Note:** This interview focused on the travel aspects of professional skiing and highlighted the environmental concerns. You can tailor the interview further by focusing on specific aspects, like Feller’s performance or the potential impact of climate change on future ski locations.
