Looking back at last season

Magdalena, your last season got off to a phenomenal start. Tell us about St. Moritz.

That was my personal highlight of last season. In St. Moritz I celebrated my first World Cup podium. It was simply amazing to fully take in that special moment, and of course it gives me a lot of motivation.

What happened after that? Was there also a setback or a difficult situation?

Just under a month later, I suffered a knee injury in the downhill in Zauchensee. That meant I had to end my season early and focus entirely on rehab. But I was in the best possible hands, felt very well looked after, and the confidence I had gained at the start of the season helped me through that period.

What goal have you set yourself for the coming season?

I am already looking forward to getting back on snow for the first time after my injury. By continuing to develop my skiing technique, I want to rebuild the same level of confidence I had during last season’s preparation. I want to approach my comeback season calmly and focus on development.

Who supported you particularly strongly last season?

The list of people who supported me, especially during this season with the injury, is very long. First and foremost, of course, are my closest support team and my family.

About the Ski-Club and its history

How long have you been part of the Ski-Club, and how has your relationship with the club developed over the years?

I have been a member of Ski-Club Arlberg since I was seven years old, and I am very proud to be part of this big skiing family. As a child and teenager I trained a lot with the Ski-Club. I remember many days skiing in varied terrain, and those experiences are one of the reasons my passion for skiing became so strong. These days I do most of my training with the Austrian Ski Federation, but I still always enjoy stopping by the children’s Ski-Club training sessions.

The Ski-Club is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year. What does this long tradition mean to you personally?

I find it fascinating to hear stories about the Ski-Club and learn more about its past. I did not know some of those stories at all, but the more I learn, the prouder I become to be part of this great club. I am very grateful to our pioneers - they set an incredible amount in motion.

Do you remember a special anecdote or story from your time with the Ski-Club that will always stay with you?

There are quite a few. But my first experiences with gate training and ski racing were probably particularly memorable. When we learned that you inspect a course beforehand and then mentally run through it again to internalise it, I tried exactly that on my next ride up on the Hinterwies lift. I could picture it better with my eyes closed, but I was alone on the lift, of course could not stay in the track all the way to the top - and fell off the lift.

What creates the sense of togetherness in the Ski-Club for you?

It is simply the passion for skiing that brings people together. That passion is so strong that it connects people all over the world.

If you imagine the Ski-Club another 25 years from now, what do you hope for the future of the club and for the next generation of athletes?

I hope the generations after me have experiences just as wonderful as the ones I have been fortunate enough to enjoy, and that the passion and versatility of skiing continue to be passed on.