Skiing's biggest star Lindsey Vonn will not be in Sölden this weekend as she plots her return to competition following yet another injury setback. Expect her to shine on the slopes when the opportunity arises.
Skiing's biggest star Lindsey Vonn will not be in Sölden this weekend as she plots her return to competition following yet another injury setback. Expect her to shine on the slopes when the opportunity arises.
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Vonn's countrywoman Mikaela Shiffrin remains the dominant force in the world of slalom skiing with five victories in the discipline last season.
Vonn's countrywoman Mikaela Shiffrin remains the dominant force in the world of slalom skiing with five victories in the discipline last season.
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Anna Fenninger narrowly won the overall title by winning the final giant slalom of the season at Meribel over closest rival Tina Maze. Sadly their rivalry will not shape this season with Maze having taken a year out and Fenninger ruled out for the season with a knee injury.
Anna Fenninger narrowly won the overall title by winning the final giant slalom of the season at Meribel over closest rival Tina Maze. Sadly their rivalry will not shape this season with Maze having taken a year out and Fenninger ruled out for the season with a knee injury.
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A downhill and Super-G specialist, Lara Gut is Switzerland's best hope for this World Cup season. She can also speak five languages: Italian, English, French, German and Spanish.
A downhill and Super-G specialist, Lara Gut is Switzerland's best hope for this World Cup season. She can also speak five languages: Italian, English, French, German and Spanish.
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Liechtenstein's Tina Weirather was born to ski at the highest level, the offspring of Hanni, a two-time overall World Cup winner and double Olympic champion, and Harti, who was a world champion in 1982.
Liechtenstein's Tina Weirather was born to ski at the highest level, the offspring of Hanni, a two-time overall World Cup winner and double Olympic champion, and Harti, who was a world champion in 1982.
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Julia Mancuso is an outside bet to shine this season having cut short her last season with a right-hip injury before undergoing 15 stitches in her head when hitting her head on coral reef in the off-season.
Julia Mancuso is an outside bet to shine this season having cut short her last season with a right-hip injury before undergoing 15 stitches in her head when hitting her head on coral reef in the off-season.
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The long-haired Norwegian Kjetil Jansrud, a lifelong Liverpool fan, will no doubt have been boosted by the recent appointment of Jurgen Klopp. Downhill and Super-G World Cup winner last year, he just missed out on the overall title.
The long-haired Norwegian Kjetil Jansrud, a lifelong Liverpool fan, will no doubt have been boosted by the recent appointment of Jurgen Klopp. Downhill and Super-G World Cup winner last year, he just missed out on the overall title.
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That particular accolade went to Austria's Marcel Hirscher, a slalom specialist whose idea of an off-season switch-off was to become embroiled in dirt biking, white water kayaking and climbing.
That particular accolade went to Austria's Marcel Hirscher, a slalom specialist whose idea of an off-season switch-off was to become embroiled in dirt biking, white water kayaking and climbing.
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The man in third place overall was France's Alexis Pinturault. Still a rising star at 24 and one of the sport's most versatile skiers, he has made no secret of his desire to win the overall title in 2016.
The man in third place overall was France's Alexis Pinturault. Still a rising star at 24 and one of the sport's most versatile skiers, he has made no secret of his desire to win the overall title in 2016.
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Italian Dominik Paris showed flashes of brilliance last season, notably winning the Super-G in Kitzbuhel. His favourite music is death metal while his favourite band Pantera.
Italian Dominik Paris showed flashes of brilliance last season, notably winning the Super-G in Kitzbuhel. His favourite music is death metal while his favourite band Pantera.
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Last seen singing with Usain Bolt at Oktoberfest, Felix Neureuther is no stranger to mixing it with other sports - seen here interviewing Bastian Schweinsteiger when he was still a Bayern Munich player. On the slopes, he's a slalom specialist.
Last seen singing with Usain Bolt at Oktoberfest, Felix Neureuther is no stranger to mixing it with other sports - seen here interviewing Bastian Schweinsteiger when he was still a Bayern Munich player. On the slopes, he's a slalom specialist.
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Ted 'the Shred' Ligety is the master of the tight turn and, aged 31, still has the propensity to shine on the big occasion.
Ted 'the Shred' Ligety is the master of the tight turn and, aged 31, still has the propensity to shine on the big occasion.
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