Swedish Alpine Skiers Gear Up for 2026/27 World Cup Season in Sölden

The 2026/27 Alpine Skiing World Cup season kicks off this weekend with giant slalom races in Sölden, Austria, spotlighting Sweden's leading athletes as they aim for strong performances.

Sweden will be represented by six women and two men at the season opener on October 24. Sara Hector, who claimed an Olympic silver medal and finished third in the giant slalom cup last season, is central to Sweden's hopes. She looks to enhance consistency in her runs to improve her overall standing. Anna Swenn-Larsson, another prominent competitor, gained widespread attention for her viral training videos and enters the season after earning a bronze medal in slalom at the Milan Cortina Olympics. Her dedication to rigorous preparation has earned praise from skiing legends such as Anja Pärson and Lindsey Vonn.

Jessica Lindell Vikarby, alpine expert for Viaplay, expressed excitement for the start of the season and optimism for Swedish competitors including Hector and Swenn-Larsson. She also highlighted the promising talent of Cornelia Öhlund. Vikarby noted the interesting development of American Mikaela Shiffrin prioritizing disciplines other than slalom this season. Moreover, the men's team features athletes like Fabian Ax Swartz and Kristoffer Jakobsen, who are aiming to consolidate their place among top competitors.

The events in Sölden will be broadcast live on Viaplay and Viaplay Sport, with women's races starting Saturday at 09:50 and men's on Sunday at the same time. The season anticipates high stakes competitions including the upcoming World Championships in Crans-Montana in February 2027, with Sweden aiming for medal success and continued growth of its younger skiing talents.

As the Alpine World Cup season unfolds, Swedish athletes carry hopes of strong showings fueled by intense training and previous season momentum, setting the stage for an exciting winter sports season.