She tried, over and over. Now Wendy Holdener has reached the goal of her dream, she wins the slalom for the first time. No rider can regret winning anymore. I’m not saying this because I wear Swiss ski goggles. It’s not that over the years I managed to get to know her more and more.
No, it’s about something else. Holdener is just unbelievably unlucky that she had never won a slalom before that golden day in Killington. She was second 15 times and third 15 times. A negative entry that she was asked about again and again. The flower often meant, “She’s just an eternal second.” Or second and third in this case. This was also noticed by Holdener, who can be very sensitive off the track. But she never complained, she just kept working. Consistently and uncompromisingly, but always with great will.
From childhood, the Holdeners were distinguished by meticulousness and determination. A ski prodigy like Mikaela Shiffrin or Petra Vlhova? No, Holdener never was. But what should not be forgotten: it is also a talent to never give up, to keep going even in defeat, not to leave a beggar. That’s why I say without shame: Wendy, congratulations!