It became a tradition for the ski industry to use the Audi FIS Ski World Cup Opening in Sölden as a platform to promote their athletes and their brand.

HEAD opened the ball on Thursday, with an impressive line-up of athletes, including last season’s Overall World Cup winner Lara Gut (SUI), Alpine Combined title holders Wendy Holdener (SUI) and Alexis Pinturault (FRA) and former Overall World Cup winners Anna Veith (AUT) and Aksel Lund Svindal (NOR). Lizz Görgl (AUT), Ragnhild Mowinckel (NOR), Bernadette Schild (AUT), Kjetil Jansrud (NOR), Ted Ligety (USA), André Myhrer (SWE), Mattias Mayer (AUT), Matts Olsson (SWE), Dustin Cook (CAN), and Mathieu Faivre (FRA) completed the panel, totalising no less than 137 World Cup wins and 15 World Championship titles. As those 15 athletes shared their thoughts about the upcoming season, HEAD CEO Johan Eliasch mentioned the Bode Miller situation and deplored that they didn’t find common ground yet.

On the same day, ROSSIGNOL hosted a press conference with the young and wild slalom globe winner from the previous season, Norway’s Henrik Kristoffersen. The meeting had a pleasant familiar touch, as it started with a video about Kristoffersen’s childhood. However, after the emotional part was over, the 22 years old made clear that he’s working towards the Overall World Cup, focusing on tech disciplines but no excluding to start in speed events if the standings are tight towards the end of the season.

 

NORDICA and Felix Neureuther decided to hold their press conference on Friday and used the occasion to do an autograph session. Given the high number of kids, waiting in line under the rain with starry eyes, the German skier is indubitably one of the most popular athletes on the circuit. Also on the competition level Neureuther is a formidable opponent, especially when he is not feeling any back pains like right now. To thank him for the great collaboration, the ski brand NORDICA decided to dedicate him a “Felix Neureuther Signature Ski”.

Source: fis-ski.com