Experience, passion and continued success

Fanny Smith - a personality that really needs no introduction. Her name has long since become synonymous with exceptional performances and consistency. And even if things didn't go to plan at the Ski Cross Home World Cup in Arosa, Fanny Smith proved at the season opener in Val Thorens that she is still one of the most outstanding athletes in her discipline.

We took advantage of the opportunity at the World Cup in Arosa to talk to Fanny Smith to get a personal insight into her thoughts on the World Cup, the fluorine ban, the World Cup and her personal goals for the season.

Experience, passion and continued success

 

After all these years - what does it mean to you to still be able to take part in the World Cup?

A lot, of course, otherwise I wouldn't even take part in races anymore! That tingly and exciting feeling when I'm at the start is still the same and that's a good thing, but now I have to work a bit harder on my motivation compared to before - especially during summer training. I've had to change a few things to keep myself focused and fit. But the love I have for the sport and the thrill of racing are still as strong as ever.


How much do you concentrate on your fitness in the off-season and what do you focus on?

Very strongly! I know that I have to work hard on my physical training if I want to remain competitive. This is necessary to avoid injuries and especially for a healthy life after my skiing career. Skiing is a strange sport in this respect, as we have to train in the gym for almost eight months to be able to race for four months. So I invest more time in fitness training than in skiing itself.

 

 

Do you occasionally look after your ski equipment yourself? And how does this interplay of technology, equipment & co. work?

For the first eight years of my career, I prepared my skis for training and racing myself. I really learned a lot during that time, but now I'm lucky enough to have my own ski technician who looks after my equipment. Nevertheless, we still work closely together. While I am gathering feedback on the slopes in particular, the team in the wax box is busy working on the respective solutions.

"Fluorine-free": The fluorine ban on ski waxes is new this season. Were there any internal discussions/preparations before the start of the season?

Of course, some even. For us athletes too, the fluorine ban is like a new beginning, especially when the snow conditions are extremely warm or wet. This is when I feel the difference on the slopes the most. So for all of us, this means that we have to keep working on it as a team and also find new solutions for certain situations. But I'm very confident about that.

The World Cup is only just beginning and yet you probably have specific goals to achieve in the coming months, don't you?

That is true. But my goals haven't changed at all: I want to give it my all race after race and get everything I can out of it - that's for sure. That was then and still is my big goal and also my ambition