Episodes

  • S2,E2: Sölden baby

    S2,E2: Sölden baby
    Oct 29 2024
    In this episode, brought to you by Ski Racing Media, Alan and I were re-joined by Eurosport/FIS TV commentator Ian Findlay to review the weekend's ski racing in Sölden. There was drama from the very start with the news that Gut-Behrami wouldn't start. On Saturday it turned out to be all about Brignone. The other great story of the day was Julia Scheib scoring her 1st WC podium on home snow in front of 18,000 supporters for Austria. Robinson starts the season as she means to go on in 2nd. It was over to the men on Saturday, where Meillard did not start and Odermatt and Feller did not finish the 1st run. The doors were swung open for someone to grasp the opportunity with all the absentees. Hirscher and Pinheiro on their returns looked great and the new Brazilian led for a period. Before the Norwegians came through for a clean sweep with Steen Olsen winning, Kristoffersen 2nd and McGrath 3rd. That very briefly wraps up what we digest in this 50 minute Sölden review with much more to come from the FIS alpine skiing World Cup circuit this season on the Skiing is Believing podcast.
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    52 mins
  • S2,E1: Sölden preview with Nick Fellows

    S2,E1: Sölden preview with Nick Fellows
    Oct 25 2024
    In this episode, brought to you by Ski Racing Media, Alan and I had the great pleasure of welcoming the Director of FIS TV, Nick Fellows to the podcast to preview this weekend's races in Sölden. Nick joined us from his hotel room in the resort and shared some of the 'hot off the press' news stories that he discovered yesterday. He has spoken to Shiffrin, Odermatt and Braathen in the last few days and they all seem raring to go. We also discussed the Wildcard rule which could seen the great Marcel Hirscher return this weekend. Nick gives us his verdict on the ruling that he wanted to make accessible for legends of the past. We also talked generally about Gut-Behrami, Brignone and Odermatt and the chances all three and many, many more have this weekend, to start the season perfectly. We, of course, finished this episode with our all-important predictions for the two Gs's this weekend. Nick also participated and made his picks based on what he has heard from the athletes this week. If you enjoyed this episode you can visit the our Instagram or YouTube channel, @skiingisbelievingpodcast, where we have a catalogue of interviews recorded over the last eight months. Don’t hesitate to contact the us either via mattgarcka.skiingisbelievingpodcast@gmail.com, with feedback, advice, or improvements.
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    55 mins
  • Ep.37: Global Special, we meet... Christian Borgnaes & Patrick Kenney

    Ep.37: Global Special, we meet... Christian Borgnaes & Patrick Kenney
    Oct 22 2024
    In this episode, brought to you by Ski Racing Media, Alan and I had the privilege to welcome not one, but two Team Global Racing giant slalom specialists, Christian Borgnaes and Patrick Kenney. We discussed the path that both Christian and Patrick took to make it to the top and how these differeces perfectly portrays the differences throughout the Global Racing Team. Christian took the traditional Austrian route to the team until he joined Team Global for a season before rejoining the National team. He then changed nationality to Denmark, his father's country in May 2022 having come back together with Team Global. Patrick conventionally came through the American system, having raced consistently throughout his time at university. He then took the leap to Team Global in January 2021 having seen the work that Paul Epstein had so successfully started. We also discuss how both racers feel they can do in the 2024/25 FIS World Cup Giant slalom circuit. Christian his looking to improve on his personal best of 14th from Adelboden whilst PK is looking to build on his first WC points score in Palisades Tahoe, when he was 24th in February. Heading into Sölden this weekend, the boys both emphasise their will to hit the ground running and get the season underway. Please let us know what you thought of this or any of our episodes throughout the last year. We really appreciate any feedback we can get. Find us on Instagram and YouTube @skiingisbelievingpodcast or email us via mattgarcka.skiingisbelievingpodcast@gmail.com This episode is brought to you by Ski Racing Media. Thanks and enjoy!
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    1 hr and 8 mins
  • Special: Men's Season Preview

    Special: Men's Season Preview
    Oct 18 2024
    In this episode, brought to you by Ski Racing Media, Alan and I were once again joined by Eurosport and FIS TV commentator Ian Findlay to preview the 2024/25 Men's FIS alpine skiing World Cup season. We chatted about all aspects of the new season starting with how last season went, the injuries and the retirements. We also spoke about some of the racers to watch and follow young, old, experienced and not. We touched on the British and American guys, sharing how we all feel they will get on the season. The main discussion seems to be revolved around Dave, Billy and Laurie and if the results can be continued to be produced. From the US side of things the big results are expected to come from the speed team and we explore the other opportunities for the Americans on the technical side. We rounded it all up with our predictions and who we all feel are going to win all 5 globes as well as 3 racers to watch. We also gave a couple of random predictions with Ian going bold with the Brits and backing Braathen. Over the course of the episode we answer all of these questions. Can Odermatt continue his dominance across all 3 disciplines? Does Manuel Feller keep his slalom globe? Can Team Global Racing continue to grow their great results? And who are the favourites heading into the 2025 World Championships in Saalbach? Please let us know what you thought of this or any of our episodes throughout the last year. We really appreciate any feedback we can get. Find us on Instagram and YouTube @skiingisbelievingpodcast or email us via mattgarcka.skiingisbelievingpodcast@gmail.com This episode is proudly sponsored by Ski Racing Media.
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    1 hr and 29 mins
  • Special: Women's Season Preview

    Special: Women's Season Preview
    Oct 15 2024
    In this episode, brought to you by Ski Racing Media, Alan and I were joined by Eurosport and FIS TV commentator Ian Findlay to preview the 2024/25 Women's FIS alpine skiing World Cup season. We chatted about all aspects of the new season starting with last season, the injuries and the retirements. We also spoke about some of the racers to watch and follow young, old, experienced and not. We touched on the British and American girls, sharing how we all feel they will get on the season. And there looms the big question, when will Mikaela Shiffrin get her 100th FIS WC victory. We rounded it all up with our predictions and who we all feel are going to win all 5 globes as well as 3 racers to watch. We also gave a couple of random ones with one of mine touching on controversial with the Austrians. Over the course of the episode we answer all of these questions. Can Gut-Behrami hold onto the 3 globes she won last season? How soon will Shiffrin make it 100? Can Ljutic notch her first WC win? And will we see Britain score some Women's WC points after Guest's retirement? Don't forgot to tune in later in the week when we will preview the men's season with just over 10 days to go until the season opener in Sölden.
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    1 hr and 16 mins
  • Ep.36: We meet... Alex Vinatzer

    Ep.36: We meet... Alex Vinatzer
    Oct 12 2024
    In this bonus weekend episode, brought to you by Ski Racing Media, Alan and I had the privilege to welcome one of Italians best current racers, Alex Vinatzer. Alex told us all about the ski racing environment he was brought up in, in Sudtyrol before moving to Val Gardena. He shares how there wasn't always a willingness to get the skis on, but that quickly changed when he got into gates. He spoke about his 2 World Junior Championships medals and the expected success that comes after that. Whilst also telling us the success that did come with that in 2 FIS WC podiums either side of the pandemic. Alex also reminisced about his 2023 World Championships bronze medal in Courchevel and all the feelings that came throughout the day. From the interview, we could also tell that Alex has got the fire in his belly to be successful in both technical disciplines and we also talk a bit about the boot scenarios that Alex has been in the last 12 months. He now feels the Atomic set-up is good ahead of the new season after the camp down in Argentina We of course finished with the quick-fire questions and Alex gave a few interesting answers. Please let us know what you thought of this or any of our episodes throughout the last year. We really appreciate any feedback we can get. Find us on Instagram and YouTube @skiingisbelievingpodcast or email us via mattgarcka.skiingisbelievingpodcast@gmail.com This episode is proudly sponsored by Ski Racing Media. Thank you very much and enjoy!
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    49 mins
  • Ep.35: We meet... Victoria Olivier

    Ep.35: We meet... Victoria Olivier
    Oct 7 2024
    In the latest episode of the podcast, Alan and I had the opportunity to chat with the newest Women's Junior Downhill Champion, Victoria Olivier. The Austrian shared with us what it was like growing up in such a ski heavy environment in Tyrol, an environment it seems where skiing runs through everyone's blood in Austria. Victoria also told us about the great times she spent as a youngster on the slopes in the Arlberg region skiing in P.E lessons. She then referenced her first taste of the World Junior Championships which came in 2022 in Panorama, British Columbia where she won bronze in the Super-G and silver in the Team Parallel. After some real injury difficulty that kept her out for the entirety of the 2022/23 season she bounced back this season starting a number of Europa Cups and further World Juniors success in Southern France. Also hear about how Victoria came in the 2024 WJC with Giant Slalom ambitions however she proved to be best in Downhill picking up the gold. This then gave her an opportunity to make her FIS World Cup debut in March's finals in Saalbach. She tells us about the utterly fantastic experience she had there. This is just one of many fantastic interview we've recorded over the summer and you can catch them all on Spotify, Amazon Music and YouTube. Or head to our Instagram @skiingisbelievingpodcast where all content is posted as well as daily quizzes counting down to the Solden season opener on the 26 & 27/10. You can also contact us via email, mattgarcka.skiingisbelieving@gmail.com Thank you and enjoy!
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    54 mins
  • Ep.34: We meet... Ania Monica Caill

    Ep.34: We meet... Ania Monica Caill
    Sep 30 2024
    In the latest episode, Alan and I chatted with the sole member of the Romanian alpine skiing team, Ania Monica Caill. She shared the valuable experiences she has encountered and enjoyed, as well as discussing some of the most challenging aspects of such a small team with a real lack of financial resources. Caill grew up near Bordeaux and relocated to the French Alps as a teenager leading to the decision to ski for Romania as the route seemed easier towards major championships and of course, the World Cup tour. Looking back, Caill doesn’t regret the decision she took as very few of the doors she opened with Romania wouldn’t have been possible in such a strong female, French birth year. In the interview, Ania also shared some of her goals for the upcoming season with the continued focus being on scoring FIS WC points for the first time in her career. She also discussed another opportunity that will arise in the coming months and that is the 2025 World Ski Championships from Saalbach, which will be her 5th World Champs aged 29. In terms of preparation, she spent the majority of August training on the glacier at Saas-Fee incorporating giant slalom runs into her speed work, with the hope to start a few World Cup GS’s next season including Solden in just over 3 weeks. If you enjoyed this episode you can visit the Skiing is Believing podcast’s Instagram or YouTube channel, where we have a catalogue of interviews recorded over the last eight months. Don’t hesitate to contact the us either via mattgarcka.skiingisbelievingpodcast@gmail.com, with feedback, advice, or improvements.
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    59 mins