Two remarkable World Cup dads join The Next Turn this week. Jeff Hensien, parent of U.S. Ski Team athlete Katie Hensien, and Steve Smart, parent of Canada’s Amelia Smart, chat with us about the balancing act of being a parent of a high-level athlete. Both reflect on the full family commitment required and the unglamorousness of life on the road. Steve, a long time ski professional and instructor, and Jeff, who joined this world with very little ski experience, have unique perspectives as a result. They share some of the wisdom they’ve tried to impart as their daughters navigate pressures of life on the World Cup. Volunteerism is important to these two, and Jeff shares how learning skills like timing and being a technical delegate deepened his family’s understanding of the sport. They talk about how they’ve navigated ski academies and offer wisdom for parents facing the same challenges. This conversation is a behind-the-scenes look at the sacrifices, life lessons, and love that goes into raising and supporting world-class athletes. As always, hosts Martin, Cara, and Jeff share their “SWIX Thoughts of the Day”.

The Next Turn caught up with Austrian ski racer Mirjam Puchner just before the World Cup season started heating up, and she offered a great deal of insight into her world. At 32 and in her 11th season on the circuit, she’s already had two top 15 finishes in Beaver Creek this year. Puchner discussed everything from her off-season training, to how she learns new tracks like Beaver Creek, diving into what it means to train well and race well, along with how to manage pressure. Puchner’s story extends beyond skiing too; her experience as a high-level tennis player shapes how she approaches ski racing. Puchner is an open book in this great conversation—it’s one you won’t want to miss! As always, hosts Martin, Cara and Jeff share their “SWIX Thoughts of the Day”.

And don’t forget this week’s “Good Vibes” www.teampanorama.ca and www.windermerevalleyskiclub.com

The Next Turn is thrilled to be joined by three American speed skiers, Keely Cashman, Bella Wright, and Jacqueline Wiles, who chatted with us about how their training is going leading up to Beaver Creek, sharing details about getting their equipment dialed and about how they are feeling physically. They tell us how they’re learning the track at Beaver Creek, what intel the US men have given them, and what it means to them to race in front of a home crowd. They also share their thoughts about finding the balance between being brave, searching for speed, and performing, while also enjoying the home field experience. As always, hosts Martin, Cara and Jeff share their “SWIX Thoughts of the Day”…and this week’s “Good Vibes”, Keelys Camp www.keelyscamp.com

Joining The Next Turn this week are the legendary Read brothers—Erik, Kevin and Jeff, who hail from a long line of ski racers.This episode will dive into the very different lives of all three brothers as they navigate their ski careers. Erik has embarked on a new path as an independent World Cup athlete on World Racing Academy, Kevin retired from racing in 2017 and began a new venture which allows him to ski all around the world, and Jeff has embarked on another World Cup season with Alpine Canada, sharing how he is prepping for Birds of Prey this weekend. These brothers have followed three very different paths while supporting each other and pushing for success, all while sharing a true love for the sport of skiing. As always, hosts Martin, Jeff and special guest host Parker Biele, share their “SWIX Thoughts of the Day”. And don’t forget this week’s “Good Vibes” link, Erik Read and World Racing Academy https://inspireme.fund/project/87

Czech snowboarder and alpine skier Ester Ledecká joins The Next Turn, giving us a behind-the-scenes look into her world of competing in two sports at an elite level. She shares the fascinating and sometimes chaotic power struggle between her skiing and snowboarding teams, illuminating the logistics of juggling two sports that often overlap. Ledecká also opens up about the fluidity it takes to switch gears between disciplines, reflecting on her upbringing and how her parents encouraged her to dream big, leading her to embrace the benefits of multi-sport training. She even hints at possibly adding another discipline to her already stacked Olympic repertoire. As always, hosts Martin, Cara and Jeff share their “SWIX Thoughts of the Day

Also, this week’s “Good Vibes” Jasper Williams

https://www.snowathletes.ca/athlete/jasper-williams

Two of Norway’s finest alpine athletes join The Next Turn this week for a fantastic conversation. While ten years may separate Alexander Steen Olson and Sebastian Foss-Solevåg, both have faced extreme highs and lows in their careers to date. As they head into the second race of the season, Alexander, who is the current World Cup leader, shares his thoughts on his historic win in Sölden a few weeks back, and Sebastian gives us an update on his goals and his current state of mind. Both share what training looks like for them, discussing the mental focus, strategy, and even their finish rates in practice. Alexander talks about the challenge of putting two strong runs together and Sebastian shares how his mindset and physical training has changed with age and experience. This conversation gives a great glimpse into the Norwegian team culture, as well. As always, hosts Martin, Cara and Jeff share their “SWIX Thoughts of the Day”.

U.S. Ski Team athletes Katie Hensien and Nina O'Brien join The Next Turn having both just achieved career best results at the first race of the World Cup season. In this episode, they take us through what was on their minds in the start gate at Sölden and reflect on how it felt to perform so well so early on in the season. O’Brien opens up about her return to sport after two full seasons off due to injury, and they both look toward the season ahead, discussing the incredible strength of the US team. Both Hensien and O’Brien are dynamic and engaging in this conversation which you won’t want to miss. As always, hosts Martin, Cara, and Jeff share their “SWIX Thoughts of the Day”.

Link in bio to listen.

Slovenian racer Zan Kranjec joins The Next Turn for a conversation covering a wide range of topics, including his strong performance in Sölden and what he’s focusing on as he prepares to race in Beaver Creek. As the only Slovenian GS skier on the World Cup circuit, Kranjec talks about his pre-season training partners, and also speaks to the importance of clean skiing, opening up about the mental side of racing, specifically on building confidence, trusting his equipment, and setting ambitious goals. As always, hosts Martin, Cara, and Jeff share their “SWIX Thoughts of the Day.”

The Next Turn is back, kicking off Season Five with Norway’s Henrik Kristoffersen. Kristoffersen was incredibly open in this conversation, discussing everything from his equipment setup and tuning preferences, to his nerves and pre-race routines. He gives us an inside look at how he inspects a course and the importance of clean skiing, and updates us on his training and his mindset leading into the season. Kristoffersen is an open book, offering a real window into one of the greatest, and hardest working, skiers of our time. As always, hosts Martin, Cara and Jeff share their “SWIX Thoughts of the Day”.