Näslund and Graf chase more Val Thorens history as Ski Cross season kicks off in style

Sweden's star ski cross athlete Sandra Näslund will be taking things "one race at a time" as she and the rest of the world's elite head to Val Thorens (FRA) for the start of the new FIS World Cup season, 5-9 December.

Näslund became the most successful athlete in the sport's history when she won her 30th World Cup in the French resort last year, kicking off what was a dominant season for the Swede during which she won all but two events.

"I will just take it one race at a time," Näslund said ahead of the season starter in France. "I always want to win when I stand in the start gate. I will do my best and in the end hopefully I will be in the lead overall when the season is done."

Näslund missed two of last season’s events due to a knee injury, but feels she has had enough time on the snow since then to give her the confidence that she is ready for next week’s opener.

"Training this summer has been good. It has not really been as I wanted it to, but I still feel strong and ready for the season,” the 27-year-old said.

"I had some troubles with the knee still during the summer, but it feels like it's working pretty good now.

“I've had some really good training now in Idre Fjäll, so I'm looking forward to the season."

Näslund is expecting plenty of competition from Switzerland's Fanny Smith and Canada's Marielle Thompson this year, but also feels there will be some new names putting their hand up for Crystal Globe contention.

"Fanny and Marielle as always will be strong, then I don't know. It will be exciting to see," she said.

Mathias Graf is another athlete who has fond memories of Val Thorens, winning his first ski cross World Cup there last year after switching to the sport from Alpine skiing. It was one of two World Cup victories last season for the Austrian.

"I am pretty satisfied with my performance last season overall. The first half, including the races in Idre Fjäll, was really awesome,” Graf said.

"The second half of the season was, for me as a ski cross athlete, more important because I learned a lot about my weaknesses.

"That's why I worked a lot with my coaches to improve my skiing on roller sections and to adapt better on different start sections.

"I'm more confident than I was last year, more focussed, and I'm glad that the summer is over.”

Val Thorens is playing host to the first of 11 World Cups this season, with Arosa, SUI (11-12 Dec) and Innichen, ITA (19-22 Dec) completing the December loop.

The athletes then head to Canada to take on Nakiska (18-21 January), followed by St Moritz, SUI (27-28 Jan) and Alleghe, ITA (31 Jan – 3 Feb); the latter two among three new tracks on show this season.

In February we head to Bakuriani (8-11 Feb) in Georgia and Reiteralm in Austria (22-25 Feb), before seeing the last of the new tracks at Germany's Oberwiesenthal (29 Feb - 3 Mar).

Things round off with the final two events in Veysonnaz, SUI (15-17 Mar) and Idre Fjäll, SWE (22-24 Mar).

Last season’s final event was held in Craigleith, where Brady Leman signed off from the sport in style on home snow by winning his last ever World Cup race.

"What a way to go out," the beaming Canadian said after finishing his final race in Ontario.

Leman is one of several big names in the men’s section to have said goodbye at the end of last season. France’s Midol brothers Bastien and Jonathan – the most successful siblings in the sport’s history – have retired on the back of more than 120 World Cup starts between them, while Austria’s Sandro Siebenhofer announced his retirement after suffering separate cruciate ligament tears on each of his knees within two years.

"The first cruciate ligament tear didn't dampen my motivation, but the second injury really took a toll on me," 26-year-old Siebenhofer said after making the announcement in June.

While it’s never good to see legends of the sport depart, Graf feels it gives an opportunity to the next generation of stars to showcase their credentials on the World Cup circuit.

"It will open the door,” Graf said. “It will be a chance for younger athletes and new athletes in the World Cup. I think that's a good thing; it keeps the sport interesting and it will improve our sport furthermore."

The Austrian and his male counterparts will have their work cut out chasing down last season’s runaway crystal globe winner in Canada’s Reece Howden, but regardless of what happens when the 2023/24 Ski Cross World Cup gets underway next week, Graf is simply happy to see the back of the off-season.

"I'm just glad that the season starts, because I can't see the gym any more," Graf said.