Today at Saalbach 2025: USA women & men, Swiss men & Allegre open up ahead of speed races

As the world’s quickest Alpine skiers prepare to take on Saalbach’s famous Zwölferkogel track, a host of them took time out to talk through everything from the unique challenges a World Championships posts to the conditions they will face when the action gets underway with the women’s Super G on Thursday, and the men’s Super G on Friday.

BREEZY JOHNSON (USA/ATOMIC)

On how she deals with the pressure of a World Championships:

“I try to think about it as another World Cup. I think the pressure can crush you if you let it.

“But I think some people really love to rise to the occasion, and everybody's different. But I try to treat it as just another race.”

On conditions:

“The snow is really good. They've done a good job prepping the snow out there. And so, yeah, I think we feel good.”

LAUREN MACUGA (USA/ROSSIGNOL)

On aiming high after her breakout World Cup performances:

“I have high expectations, of course. I mean, I know I can do it (win) again. I just have to have that perfect, almost perfect run again. So, I know what I have to do.

“I think it's just about putting everything on the hill, all 100% of it, and not leaving anything out there. You can't hesitate at all.”

KEELY CASHMAN (USA/HEAD)

On the high-flying USA women’s speed team:

“I love being part of this team. I think this is probably the strongest team I've ever been a part of. I mean, I know there's been some strong teams in the past, but it really feels like this season we've built off each other.”

 JACQUELINE WILES (USA/ROSSIGNOL)

On the course:

“I think it's a really neat track. It's like nothing we've ever actually skied. There's more terrain than I've ever imagined we would have in a World Cup.

“It's super fun to ski.”

On the key to success at a World Championships:

I think just being able to put everything out there on race day when it counts.  Medals are what counts here and being able to perform when it matters.”

ALEXIS MONNEY (SUI/STÖCKLI)

On the Zwölferkogel course:

“Very cool Downhill, dynamic and exciting. At the top, there are technical turns before transitioning into longer curves where you need to build speed."

On his expectations:

“I don’t have particularly high expectations here. I just want to enjoy myself and make the most of the experience.”

MARCO ODERMATT (SUI/STÖCKLI)

On how he feels ahead of the men’s Super G on Friday:

 “I have a good feeling about the course. I like it, and the conditions are perfect.

“It’s amazing to see the excitement here with so many fans, and I think the emotions will be strong.

On whether the Zwölferkogel course is too easy:

“No, I don’t think so. There are several sections where you need to ski really well to maintain speed.”

FRANJO VON ALLMEN (SUI/HEAD)

On his debut World Championships:

“This is my first World Championships, so I still have to get used to everything happening around me. I can feel that the media presence and overall attention are much higher than usual, but skiing remains the same, and once I’m in the start gate, nothing changes.

“I’ll just try to make the most of this week.”

STEFAN ROGENTIN (SUI/FISCHER)

On having won last season's World Cup Super G in Saalbach:

"To be honest, I don’t really remember much about it, and anyway, we’re not skiing on the same course, and the snow conditions are different. But of course, I have good memories, and I know what I’m capable of."

NILS ALLEGRE (FRA/SALOMON)

On how he approaches a World Championships:

“The World Championships are different from the World Cup because it’s all about the race for the podium. Only the medals matter. Expectations are higher, but skiing remains the same, built on the same fundamentals.

“Within the team, we all push each other forward, and for me, the most important thing is to arrive at the start with the right mindset. I try to keep things simple and just do what I’ve been doing all year.”

On the course:

“This course is varied and intense. There’s not a single moment to rest.”

RYAN COCHRAN-SIEGLE (USA/HEAD)

On his impressions of the Zwölferkogel:

“It was apparent they did a lot of work on the hill,  they made the snow nice and friendly. It’s good to be back on that surface. 

“The hill has some challenges that you need to embrace. There are definitely aspects of terrain that are challenging and then speed going into some big turns.

“So, yeah, I am just trying to find how to build the ski as committedly as possible.

On the one-shot nature of a World Championships:

“When you're at a World Cup, obviously you can get first, second, third, fourth, it all matters. Obviously, there's more precedent here at these big events; World Champs, the Olympics… just recognizing everyone gets their one opportunity and using that to the best of your advantage, and kind of embracing that unique one chance.”

BRYCE BENNETT (USA/FISCHER)

On his singular focus:

“The expectation is to win the Downhill here.

“There are a lot of good downhillers here right now so it will be tight.”

On the new Team Combined event:

“I am excited for the Combined. You can rely on someone that's a specialist in Slalom, and you can do what you're good at, which is Downhill, and you don't have to be a downhiller trying to ski on slalom skis for the first time in six months and competing at the World Championships.”

JARED GOLDBERG (USA/ROSSIGNOL)

On how he deals with the pressure of a World Championships:

“I'm going to look at it like any other race and not try to make it like a bigger deal. I think everyone has their own way of dealing with it, but I’m trying to just look at it just like one of the World Cups.”

On feeling like the course suits him:

I'm just hoping that all the GS (Giant Slalom) training paid off this summer. We have gone back to the basics the last two years and been working on more technical skiing and it’s felt noticeable in my skiing.”

SAM MORSE (USA/FISCHER)

On racing as part of Team USA:

“I'm honored to be here racing my first World Champs Downhill start, and this incredible group of guys to be with.

“You know, having Ryan (Cochran-Siegle)… getting to watch his video and get more support and stuff like that from each of these guys throughout the years. Really, really special.

“I think, for this squad coming into this week, we have huge potential to do well here.”