American alpine skier Paula Moltzan kicked off the World Cup season impressively with a career-best performance in giant slalom, sparking thoughts on whether she was hitting her peak too early. Moltzan, eyeing the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics, expressed her focus on establishing a strong foundation to progress from. While the World Cup series spans five months and is pivotal for skiers, the chance to vie for Olympic glory only arises every four years.
Moltzan, the runner-up in the recent giant slalom event, emphasized the importance of tracking her recovery and peaking cycle with her coaches. The data collected aids in aligning her performance for the upcoming Winter Olympics. Two-time Olympic champion Mikaela Shiffrin shared a contrasting strategy, emphasizing the need for daily strategic planning to maintain high-level racing without exhausting resources prematurely.
Opinions diverge on whether skiers should tailor their entire World Cup season around the Olympics, considering the variable nature of the sport. Austrian skier Vincent Kriechmayr stressed the necessity of being in prime shape before the Olympics, citing key events leading up to the Games. However, coaching perspectives vary due to the unpredictable elements influencing performance on the day of major competitions.
Skiers like Sofia Goggia and Lara Gut-Behrami approach the season with a consistent mindset, focusing on giving their best daily despite the fluctuating conditions. Despite impending retirement, Gut-Behrami remains committed to approaching each race with dedication, underlining the importance of maintaining form throughout the season. Former overall World Cup champion Alexis Pinturault advocates for strategic planning, particularly when specializing in a single discipline like giant slalom.
In contrast, Norwegian skier Henrik Kristoffersen believes that winning races consistently is the optimal preparation for the Olympics, emphasizing the importance of finding rhythm and flow in competition. The diverse approaches and perspectives within the skiing community highlight the complexity and individualized nature of preparing for major events like the Olympics.