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She is still at the beginning of her career. And yet Stefanie Grob (19) currently feels special emotions when she looks around her. “This is where I made my first turns in the snow when I was two and a half years old.” We meet the four-time medalist of the last Junior World Championships (gold in downhill and team, silver in super-G and giant slalom) at the Horn ski lift at the foot of the Ebenalp. Here, at 820 meters above sea level, it all started 17 years ago.
“Because the spotlights were on in winter, I could ski here with my friends after school. These are great memories. There is only one drag lift here, but the slopes are varied,” she says. On Saturday, the Appenzeller from Weissbad AI will appear at the World Cup for the first time this winter – she was one of nine Swiss women selected for the giant slalom in Killington (USA).
“And there you are!”
If everything goes according to her talent, Grob will not be found at home too often in the coming winters with her mother Monika, father Ruedi and sister Ladina. She will miss them, as well as the nature in Appenzell, which she appreciates so much. ‘That’s part of it. But it is true that my family and my home country mean a lot to me. Whenever possible, I will come back – even to ski this slope,” she says.
The fact is, when Grob feels the desire to reminisce on a trip into the future, all she has to do is look at her helmet. How it works? Simple: Grob has a helmet that depicts her homeland. “I went to school here, I was baptized in this church and this is the Horn ski lift,” she shows. Theres Tobler adds: “And there you are!” The peasant painter points with her index finger at a small figure racing through the gate on a helmet – only Grob. Tobler has been an architectural painter in Appenzell for 45 years. Her works of art can be found everywhere: as pictures to hang, but also on aprons, fondue caquelons, towels and puzzles. And now also on Grob’s helmet.
When Tobler sees the printed helmet for the first time, her eyes water. ‘That affects me very much. I am very happy for Stefanie and wish her all the best.”
Approximately at the Biberli factory
The idea for the special helmet design came from manager Michael Schiendorfer, who has also managed ski CEO Marco Odermatt (26) since 2016. She was clear. Because: Bischofberger AG, which has been producing the famous Biberli for 60 years, is the main sponsor of Grob. Tobler has also been working at the family business for quite some time. «Stefanie grew up within walking distance. I think it is important to have a personal relationship with the sponsors and not just look at the financial aspect,” says Schiendorfer.
When you visit Biberli’s production facility, it will immediately become clear what Schiendorfer means. Grob has known Reto, Andrea and Urs Bischofberger and many employees for a long time – they chat and laugh. But what Grob has never done before is make a big beaver himself. Dressed in a hygiene suit and protective cap, she catches up with a glance. After an introduction, Grob shows as much feeling as with the skis on his feet – everything works perfectly. “Not easy. But it was fun!” According to Grob, she doesn’t have a favorite product; she just loves all Biberli.
Finally, the question arises: what is Grob’s purpose in Killington? “Speed up, learn, have fun,” she says. It can be that easy when you’re young. One thing is already certain: Grob will not only carry her homeland in her heart, but also on her head in the US.
Source : Blick
I’m Emma Jack, a news website author at 24 News Reporters. I have been in the industry for over five years and it has been an incredible journey so far. I specialize in sports reporting and am highly knowledgeable about the latest trends and developments in this field.
