Today at Saalbach: Vonn, Suter, Gisin and Blanc speak on eve of World Championships

From the prospect of racing alongside Mikaela Shiffrin (USA/Atomic) in the Team Combined event to the challenges of returning from injury, via the difficulties of chasing perfection, Lindsey Vonn (USA/Atomic), Corinne Suter (SUI/Head), Michelle Gisin (SUI/Salomon) and Malorie Blanc (SUI/Atomic) have all been talking in Saalbach ahead of the start of the 2025 FIS Alpine World Ski Championships.

Here are the highlights:

LINDSEY VONN

On her ambitions:

“When we first started talking about the possibility of racing this season my goal was to be a forerunner here. Maybe I could do some POV (point of view) for NBC or something. To be actually competing here was definitely not what I had anticipated. I didn't anticipate racing in St. Anton. I didn't anticipate doing so well so quickly.

“This season has been all about managing my expectations, and I'm trying to continue to do that here.

“For me, what changed to be able to be here is that I'm fast, you know. I'm competitive, and I think I'm ready to compete for a medal. And that's really the only thing that counts here at the World Championships.”

On how she’s feeling:

“I feel amazing. My knee feels incredible. You can't tell that I've been racing for the last few weeks.

“It was nice to go home to Florida and get a few days break. You know, we had three weeks of racing back-to-back to back. It was just nice to mentally get a refresher.

“So physically, I feel great. Mentally, I'm refreshed. And again, I think I just have a much different mental outlook than anyone else on the tour. So hopefully that plays to my advantage.”

On how her perspective is different:

“My perspective is different, because I'm not here to prove anything to anyone. Most of the girls, you know, they haven't really had any time off, they've been competing for, you know, however many years in a row. And you know, they have pressure from themselves, from their team, expectations, and I don't have any.

“You know, World Championships and Olympics are about managing pressure and expectation, and again, I don't have those right now.

“I'm sure next year at the Olympics, if I make the team, there will be expectations. But right now, I don't feel like I have any, and I honestly don't even know where I will place.

“I of course hope to be on the podium, but I could be 10th, and honestly, that's fine as well. My goal has never been to be competitive this year. I'm far ahead of where I ever expected to be. So again, I think that just gives me an advantage.”

On having a brand new technician:

“I've really had a hard time adjusting to the new boots. The material is quite a bit different as far as the boots when I was racing previously. Haven't quite figured everything out.

“Have a new technician as of few days ago. So, it's a lot of adjustments that I'm trying to adapt to. I've never actually had so many changes in a season.”

On being ready for the Team Combined event:

“I will be racing in the Combined if the team chooses me. I mean, I would imagine they would. I would hope they would.”

On the possibility of skiing the Team Combined with Shiffrin:

“I was asked a question last week by a German reporter, if Mikaela would race with me in the Combined, would I do it? And I said, absolutely, I would.

“I don't know how she is physically. I haven't talked to her because she just came back. So, I don't know if she's even competing in the combined but if there is a chance to compete with her, I would absolutely love to.”

On the future:

“This is just a crazy adventure that I'm going down, and I don't know the outcome. But I know that life is short, and I want to take a chance on something that could be incredible.”

CORINNE SUTER

On her readiness to compete:

“I feel a lot of excitement and joy to be here. I’ve come into these World Championships in good shape, and that was always my plan. I wanted to rebuild myself step by step to arrive here at my best. I don’t just want to be at the start, I want to compete at the highest level.”

On her approach:

“I focus on being at the start without overthinking, but getting to this point has been a challenge. I had to be very patient after my injury, and I took a more cautious approach to my recovery, with a lot of physiotherapy. Even now, I still follow that routine. But once I’m on the course, I can block everything out and just ski.”

On her expectations:

“My expectations aren’t as high as they used to be since I haven’t been able to prepare as much due to my injury, but just seeing the finish stadium, for example, gives me a huge boost of motivation.”

MICHELLE GISIN

On her challenging season so far:

“The past few weeks haven’t been easy. I got a bit lost in the pursuit of perfection. Sometimes that happens, even though I didn’t think it would still happen to me at 31.

“When I got sick in Cortina, it actually did me some good. It forced me to take a break, reflect, and get back on the right path.

"The pursuit of perfection is a very fine line between dedication and madness, and sometimes you fall on the wrong side. That pause helped me reset and find my way back.”

On her schedule in Saalbach:

“As for my program in Saalbach, I’m set for Super G. In Downhill, I’ll be in qualification for the last spot with Priska (Ming) Nufer (SUI/Kaestle).

“We’ll see about the Team Combined, and in Giant Slalom, I hope to show something strong again.

“I’m really looking forward to it. Everything here is beautiful.”

MALORIE BLANC

On graduating from the Junior World Ski Championships 12 months ago:

“Yes, I’m very proud and happy to be here. I still have a hard time believing it, but I’m excited to see what the next few days will bring.

“We have a great atmosphere in the team.

“I’ll be discovering this course for the first time, but I love new experiences and I’m looking forward to it. It doesn’t scare me to ski on a new track because I usually feel very comfortable in these situations. I’m not afraid, and I can really ski on instinct.”

On her ambitions:

“I’ve already achieved more than I initially aimed for, but I want to take everything I can from this experience and, most importantly, have a lot of fun.”

On missing the recent speed races in Garmisch-Partenkirchen:

“My knee was feeling a bit sore, and after my accident, I promised myself to listen to my body’s signals. I’m really glad I did. I was able to get good physiotherapy sessions and rebuild some muscle, as I had lost a bit of muscle mass. Now, I feel great, and my knee doesn’t bother me at all.

“When I ski, I never think about last year’s injury.”