BBC Sport

What is it?

Taking
place almost exactly a year prior to the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, the
Alpine Ski Championships are the perfect dress rehearsal for the world’s best
skiers to showcase their talent on the slopes.

The
championships have taken place in a variety of ski resorts all over the world
since its inception 1931. This year, for its 48th edition, they’ll be hosted in
Saalbach, Austria. It’s the second time the Austrian resort has held the event,
last hosting the championships in 1991.

All
races are held on the Zwölferkogel in Hinterglemm, which combines all World Cup
slopes with just one finish area for all disciplines. The two racetracks are
sure to test the skiers this year; with the Schneekristall and Ulli Maier
slopes setting the stage for elite racing across the week. Saalbach promises to
produce a vibrant, enthusiastic crowd atmosphere; with ski fanatics swarming
the town from far and wide.

The story so far…

Austria
hold the most alpine men’s titles with 56, with last year’s Men’s Downhill
Champion’s home country Switzerland in second on 35. Marco Odermatt also took
the win in the Giant Slalom in Courchevel, as Canada’s James Crawford claimed
the Super-G title. Norway’s Henrik Kristoffersen, France’s Alexis
Pinturault and German’s Alexander Schmid won the Slalom,
Alpine combined and Parallel giant slalom events respectively.

It’s
a similar story in the women’s events, with Austria leading the rankings with
42 world titles and Switzerland sitting in second on 36. In 2023, Swiss skier
Jasmine Flury led the way in the Downhill, whilst Italians Bassino and
Brignone took home wins in the Super-G and Alpine combined.
Mikaela Shiffrin won the Giant Slalom event, Laurence St. Germain of
Canada claimed the Slalom title, with Norway’s Maria Therese Tviberg
winning the Parallel giant slalom title.

Who to look out for

Image source, Getty Images

Eight male and six female athletes have been selected across six Alpine disciplines for the Championships for GB, making it the largest British Team selected for an Alpine World Championships in recent history. The squad marks an increase on the 12 athletes named for the 2023 Championships in Meribel-Courchevel, which at the time held the record for British representation.

The squad includes the full British Men’s Slalom World Cup team, consisting of: Dave Ryding, Billy Major and Laurie Taylor. They’ll line up alongside the likes of Roy Steudle, Victoria Palla and Reece Bell.

The remainder of the initial selection list includes: Owen Vinter, Calum Langmuir, Giselle Gorringe, Lois Jackson, Dominic Shackleton, Molly Butler, Abi Bruce and Jack Irving.

Reigning Olympic slalom champion Petra Vlhova will miss out on the World Championships in Austria, with the Slovak racer yet to recover from the knee injury she suffered a year ago at the World Cup in Jasna, Slovakia.