Switzerland’s skiers are excelling at the World Championships in Austria, supported by a strategic partnership with Zermatt until 2034. Swiss Ski leads the Alpine World Cup rankings and has seen substantial financial growth. Recent innovations include developing their own wax following a ban on fluorine wax. With a focus on young talent and enhanced training facilities, Swiss Ski is well-positioned for future challenges while planning to host Alpine World Championships every decade.
Swiss Ski’s Remarkable Journey at the World Championships
Switzerland is currently making waves at the World Championships in Austria, with its skiers consistently clinching medals and showcasing an incredible team spirit. Meanwhile, the Swiss Ski Association, known as Swiss Ski, is diligently working behind the scenes to ensure this success continues into the future. In a significant move, Swiss Ski has announced a strategic partnership with Zermatt that will last until 2034. This partnership allows the association to utilize the slopes on the Theodul Glacier for training once again after a hiatus, and it also opens the doors to rent these facilities to other nations. Furthermore, Swiss Ski is gearing up to bid for World Cup races in Zermatt, which is set to kick off in 2028.
Building on Success and Innovation
Swiss Ski’s impressive performance is evident in its commanding position in the national rankings of the Alpine World Cup, leading with over 2000 points ahead of Austria. The turning point came in 2020 when Swiss Ski dethroned Austria after a remarkable 30-year reign at the top. President Urs Lehmann, a key figure in this success story, reflects on the progress made since he took office in 2008.
The association’s prowess was further highlighted during the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing, where all 15 Swiss medals were achieved by athletes under the Swiss Ski banner. Emulating the Austrian approach during their peak years, Swiss Ski is consistently innovating and striving for excellence across all facets of the sport.
Financially, Swiss Ski has never been stronger, with a budget expanding from nearly 30 million francs when Lehmann started to a robust 80 million today. Approximately a third of this budget is dedicated to alpine skiing, the association’s flagship discipline, which also supports other sports. This financial growth can be attributed to diversified revenue streams, including event marketing and media rights, alongside having skilled individuals in pivotal roles.
The increased funding allows for a larger support staff dedicated to individual athlete development and top-notch training facilities. Significant investments are also being made in research, with Swiss Ski now boasting a cutting-edge command center at its new facility in Worblaufen. During competitions, a research team analyzes the performance of Swiss athletes in real-time, providing valuable insights to coaches.
In response to the recent fluorine wax ban, Swiss Ski turned a potential setback into an opportunity by developing its own wax, which is now sold to the public. The revenue generated from this initiative is intended to finance the association’s technology center, which has been established as a separate corporation.
With around 80 percent of its revenue coming from the private sector, Swiss Ski is less reliant on government funding than many other associations, making it more resilient to anticipated budget cuts. Additionally, the association enjoys year-round access to its athletes, allowing for continuous engagement unlike in many other sports.
To enhance the visibility of skiing, Swiss Ski plans to host Alpine World Championships in Switzerland every ten years. The federal government provides funding for legacy projects tied to major events, such as the 2.5 million francs earmarked for youth initiatives for the Ski World Championships in Crans-Montana in 2027, which will be matched by the government.
While the current success of Swiss Ski paints a promising picture for the future, there are challenges ahead. The association must navigate the competitive landscape where only a limited number of racers can participate in the World Cup. This could potentially hinder the next generation of talent from emerging, creating a bottleneck in opportunities.
Despite the challenges, Swiss Ski is steadfast in its commitment to fostering young talent through a unified philosophy that promotes open communication and collaboration. The effective management of the men’s head coach, Tom Stauffer, ensures that all athletes are monitored, promoting a cohesive strategy for race entries and career planning. This collaborative approach has contributed to the strength of the current men’s downhill team.
As Swiss Ski continues to build its legacy, it remains to be seen how it will adapt and thrive in the face of future challenges, but the foundations laid today promise a bright future for Swiss skiing.