Slalom star is fighting single-handedly for a World Cup comeback: where do you get this energy from, Reto Schmidiger?

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Reto Schmidiger is relaunching his career on his own. The man from Nidwalden has no longer been part of the Swiss Ski team since the spring of 2022 and has since been preparing for his operations on the slopes with his own team. “My passion for this sport is far from over,” he says about his motivation. “And I know I have a fast swing.”

Schmidiger started his career brilliantly in his early twenties, winning three golds and one bronze at the Junior World Championships and reaching the top 10 places in the World Cup. Over the years, injuries repeatedly set him back – until he was no longer able to achieve the results he needed and his squad membership at Swiss-Ski was therefore withdrawn. But stepping down was never an option for him, even now that he is on his own. “There have been times when I questioned the whole thing,” he says. “But great moments such as the podium finishes last winter in the American professional series NorAm Cup gave me a lot of self-confidence.” During these rides he drove much more relaxed – and therefore very fast. “All the gears now just have to mesh more consistently. That’s what I’m working on.”

And to achieve this goal, the self-made man leaves nothing to chance: he takes care of the travel organization himself and is his own service man for his 20 pairs of skis. He also relies on good people around him – such as ski coach Matthias Brügger, with whom he is in constant contact on the slopes, but also via video analysis. Physiotherapist Felix Zimmermann took his fitness to a top level this summer. Schmidiger also receives a lot of support from his family, his fan club and mental support.

Schmidiger: “The support from BKW is strong!”

It is a very conscientious work on the comeback, but it would not be possible without its main sponsor: Reto Schmidiger’s long-term collaboration with BKW is a very important pillar on the way back. It was extremely wonderful for him to feel that BKW had decided to continue supporting him even after he left Swiss-Ski. “You could also have said: it’s good now. But they show their commitment: we want to continue on this path. I don’t take that for granted and it is very powerful! I really appreciate.”

It goes without saying that BKW will keep its promise. “Our partnerships are also very much about whether someone shares our values. Reto is a nature-loving, ambitious athlete who continues his path and that impresses us. We believe in him and have therefore continued our collaboration.”

Horticulture: Sufficient position and perfect training

Schmidiger earned the remaining financial resources this summer with a 60 percent job as an all-rounder in a friend’s horticultural company. The ski racer is a doer who does not shy away from getting things done – with shovel, wheelbarrow and excavator. It was very physical work, which Schmidiger could see as additional strength and endurance training. “It was an intense summer,” he says. “But that time really did me good!”

In addition to sports, this also applies in other respects: as a nature lover, gardening has generally yielded him a lot. “I was able to help make the world greener and more livable,” he says. “I really enjoyed this job. You see how something new is created during the day.” Overall, sustainability means a lot to him. “It is a very important topic for me. I think it concerns all of us, because we all have to overcome the climate crisis together. Finding simple answers to the open questions will benefit us.”

One of these answers is to create as many livable spaces as possible. A goal that connects Schmidiger with his partner BKW. Especially in snow sports, BKW is present as a sustainability partner with its solutions so that future generations can enjoy snow sports.

The slalom star says he has been able to create such a space for himself. «I already have this privilege. I am just a few steps from my house to nature, which is very important to me. The lake and the mountains are nearby, I like to think about life in general and how we are going to do it in a beautiful place. I can also recharge my batteries this way.” So he never has to travel far for his holiday. «Our country offers so much. That’s why I prefer to spend these days in Switzerland.”

Given the climate, it’s a bit more challenging when it comes to traveling around your job as a ski racer. But here too he tries to drive as few kilometers as possible. “For example, by arranging the training plan in such a way that I can stay in one place longer and not have to constantly drive back and forth.”

However, this sport is not possible without driving a car. Schmidiger wants to participate in as many European Cup races as possible this winter to achieve good results for his World Cup comeback. “The obstacles have certainly not become smaller due to the increased level,” he says. “But after my heavy summer training I feel fit and ready to get back to it!”

Source : Blick