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They know and like each other: Ragnhild Mowinckel (left) and Tina Weirather.
Blick: Tina Weirather, as an SRF expert, are you objective about Ragnhild Mowinckel’s rides?
Tina Weirather: Secure. We’re good friends, but that’s why I don’t spare her (smiles).
Ragnhild Mowinckel: What? I always thought you only said good things about me (laughs).
You gave up your objectivity on December 19, 2021, Tina.
Weirather: Ragnhild crossed the finish line in second place at the Super-G in Val d’Isère, it was her first podium finish after a serious knee injury. It was so emotional that I cried.
Mowinckel: That was so cute…
Weirather: I couldn’t help it.
Has this happened to you again?
Weirather: When Michelle Gisin finished third in the giant slalom in Courchevel last winter, it hit me too. She was out of action all summer because of glandular fever and couldn’t train. And then something like this – it was incredible.
You know many drivers personally. Can this also be a problem?
Weirather: So far, I don’t think I’ve ever said anything that a driver didn’t like. Sometimes I know more than I tell – then I try to convey at least this feeling.
How does this work?
Weirather: If I know that a driver has a problem in her private life and she drives badly, I’m not too critical. I might say, “You don’t know if she’s in trouble anywhere else.” But I won’t say what the reason is. If so, then the athlete should say so herself in the interview.
This is Ragnhild Mowinckel
Like Tina Weirather, Ragnhild Mowinckel was often seriously injured – and she always fought back. This winter she has already finished in the top 10 in three disciplines: downhill, super-G and giant slalom. She is considered an excellent technician with a lot of courage. Mowinckel comes from Molde (No), is 30 years old and won two Olympic silver medals in 2018 (downhill and giant slalom).
Ragnhild Mowinckel after the downhill in St. Moritz last December.
keystone-sda.ch
Like Tina Weirather, Ragnhild Mowinckel was often seriously injured – and she always fought back. This winter she has already finished in the top 10 in three disciplines: downhill, super-G and giant slalom. She is considered an excellent technician with a lot of courage. Mowinckel comes from Molde (No), is 30 years old and won two Olympic silver medals in 2018 (downhill and giant slalom).
Ragnhild, you always stay with Tina and her husband Fabio in Vaduz during the winter.
Mowinckel: I feel like part of their family, they already call me roommate (laughs). It’s my second home.
Most athletes drive home during breaks in racing or stay in hotels.
Mowinckel: Norway is far away, it would take time and energy to always return there. I rarely talk about skiing with Tina and Fabio – it feels like I’m on a mini vacation. That gives me a lot of energy.
Do you remember your first encounter?
Weirather: That was in Norway, during training. Ragnhild was the rising star in ski heaven.
Mowinckel: I would not say that. I was just good enough to be part of the Norwegian team for the first time. Tina was the star and I, at 18, tried not to embarrass myself.
Weirather: Ragnhild was so friendly and open-minded that I had to ask my teammate Joana Hählen: “You, is that real?” I could hardly believe it.
Your answer?
Weirather: She said yes and that Ragnhild was probably the nicest person in the whole world.
Mowinckel: When I got into the World Cup it was a scary place for me because everyone was so incredibly strong. Also Tina. But she was still very accommodating, even to completely unknown drivers like me.
Are such friendships common in the ski circus?
Weirather: One is good with many. But it’s rare to find someone that close to you.
Mowinckel: We don’t choose the team we travel the world with. It’s simply the group of the best in a country. So there’s a good chance that you won’t get along with everyone.
Weirather: It also takes luck within the team to find real friends. With other nations, on the other hand, you can freely choose who you want to hang out with – that’s an advantage.
Where does your friendship come from?
Weirather: I think Ragnhild just needed an apartment in Central Europe and that’s why he was so kind (laughs)!
Mowinckel: Exactly, I asked everywhere who had a room available (laughs). Seriously: Tina and I have a similar attitude towards life, our values are the same.
Weirather: Before the start, there were only very few to whom I could pour my heart out. It’s easier to talk to someone who’s also going to drive – it’s not the same as talking to the coach. We see through the same eyes. For example, it’s super nice to be able to say to someone: “I’m so scared!”
Mowinckel: You don’t say that to anyone else. We trust each other blindly.
This is Tina Weirather
Tina Weirather (33) is the daughter of skiing legends Harti Weirather and Hanni Wenzel. Although plagued by many knee injuries, the double junior world champion (2006 and 2007) had an impressive career. She won the Super-G World Cup twice (2017 and 2018) and a total of nine World Cup races, plus she won World Championship silver (2017) and Olympic bronze (2018) – always in Super-G. In March 2020 she resigned and soon started as a ski expert at SRF. Weirather is also a moderator and Unicef ambassador, she lives in Vaduz with her husband Fabio.
Tina Weirather wins the small crystal globe in the Super-G World Cup in 2018.
AP
Tina Weirather (33) is the daughter of skiing legends Harti Weirather and Hanni Wenzel. Although plagued by many knee injuries, the double junior world champion (2006 and 2007) had an impressive career. She won the Super-G World Cup twice (2017 and 2018) and a total of nine World Cup races, plus she won World Championship silver (2017) and Olympic bronze (2018) – always in Super-G. In March 2020 she resigned and soon started as a ski expert at SRF. Weirather is also a moderator and Unicef ambassador, she lives in Vaduz with her husband Fabio.
How often have you stood on the podium together?
Mowinckel: Never!
Weirather: That has always been our goal.
In March 2020, Tina retired from top-level sport.
Mowinckel: Exactly in that year I was badly injured – it wasn’t easy.
Weirather: Sorry for not being by your side anymore. But for me it was the right time, I didn’t feel the same fire as before.
Already in the following winter, Tina started as a ski expert at SRF. How does she do it, Ragnhild?
Weirather: She doesn’t hear my comments because she has to drive (laughs).
It’s correct.
Mowinckel: From what I understand, Tina is great. Her credibility on TV is high because she has an eye for skiing and people. And she conveys that well.
Would you trust Ragnhild to do the job, Tina?
Weirather: In any case. She has a pleasant voice and is very eloquent. However, I don’t know your Norwegian dialect.
Mowinckel: He’s horrible (laughs)!
What would you like to do together?
Mowinckel: A trip to Asia.
Weirather: We both love sushi and have already talked about a trip to Japan. That would be cool. But as long as Ragnhild is active, it’s difficult.
How long does Tina have to wait?
Mowinckel: Actually, I said that I will not compete in the Olympics again. But in 2026 the games will take place in Cortina – a place that I really like.
Weirather: Don’t let me stress you, I’m waiting for you.
They have a lot in common. Finally, the question: what makes you different?
Mowinckel: I’m blonde, you have dark hair.
Weirather: You always talk about partying. I don’t talk about it, I do it (laughs).
Attention ski fans! Now quiz and type races
The 2022/2023 ski season is coming up and with it the “Blick Ski Trophy”: answer questions every day, type ski races and crown yourself as ski champion. Lots of great prizes await.
To take part in the “Blick Ski Trophy”, you have to register here.
Have fun and good luck!
The 2022/2023 ski season is coming up and with it the “Blick Ski Trophy”: answer questions every day, type ski races and crown yourself as ski champion. Lots of great prizes await.
To take part in the “Blick Ski Trophy”, you have to register here.
Have fun and good luck!