Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy – New Zealand skier Alice Robinson is entering tonight’s Olympic giant slalom final with a markedly calmer mindset than she’s experienced in previous major competitions, according to her coach Nils Coberger. Robinson, 24, is considered a top challenger to Mikaela Shiffrin for a medal and is aiming to improve upon her performance at the 2022 Winter Olympics.
Robinson finished eighth in the Super G event earlier this week, a discipline in which she currently holds a second-place World Cup ranking. Her focus now shifts to the giant slalom, where she has secured two World Cup victories this season, most recently in Canada two months ago. She currently sits in fifth place in the World Cup giant slalom standings.
Coberger emphasized Robinson’s improved mental approach, stating, “Her mindset, she’s not trying to push as hard, she understands when to use tactics, she’s a wiser, older skier than she was four years ago.” This shift in perspective comes after a challenging 2022 Olympics where Robinson finished 22nd in giant slalom, 25th in downhill, and did not finish the Super G.
Preparation for the race has included a final two-hour training run and physiotherapy treatment. The Olympia delle Tofane slope is expected to be overcast, but Coberger is hoping for a temperature drop to create firmer ice conditions, a contrast to the soft snow that hampered athletes during Thursday’s Super G event. “It’s the nature of our sport,” Coberger said, “you can do all the preparation… But if the weather gods don’t play their part, then you just have to contend with that – nothing you can do about it.”
Course Setting and Preparation
Coberger was recently selected to set the course for the first run of the giant slalom, having his name drawn among the top 15 athletes in a World Cup event. He described his approach to course setting, prioritizing athlete safety and enjoyment. “Soon as we hit the flat, because of the length, I made it quite straight and not too many turns because otherwise you put everyone in the tank and we’ve had a long week…” he explained. “It’s still a normal giant slalom course but I’ve definitely gone easy on them at the bottom… It just feels better as an athlete when you’re skiing at high speed.” He added that his guiding principle is to create a course that is “fun” for competitors, avoiding overly tricky or tricky sections.
Innovative Approach to Performance
Beyond traditional training methods, Robinson’s preparation has incorporated cutting-edge aerodynamic testing with High Performance Sport New Zealand’s Innovation team. At Auckland University’s wind tunnel, Robinson underwent testing in various skiing positions – tuck, half tuck, and standing – to quantify the impact of aerodynamics on her performance.
Simon Briscoe, HPSNZ Head of Innovation, explained the significance of this testing to 1News, stating, “It is sometimes quite alarming how some small differences can make a several percentage difference in aerodynamic drag.” He noted the challenge of measuring aerodynamic drag on the mountain, where athletes lack real-time feedback. The findings from the wind tunnel are intended to provide Robinson and her team with valuable insights as they prepare for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics.
“Athletes do tuck as they’re going down a run but I don’t consider it’s well enough understood you know how big the benefits are of being able to get into that tuck,” Briscoe added.
The pursuit of even marginal gains is crucial in ski racing, where fractions of a second can determine a podium finish. Robinson’s team is leaving no stone unturned in their quest for Olympic success.
The women’s giant slalom final is scheduled for this evening in Cortina d’Ampezzo. Robinson will be looking to translate her calm mindset and innovative preparation into a strong performance on the slopes. The competition promises to be a thrilling contest between Robinson and other top contenders, including Mikaela Shiffrin, as they vie for Olympic glory.
What are your thoughts on Alice Robinson’s chances in the giant slalom? Share your predictions in the comments below!
