Time To Say Goodbye, IMO.

    Fede deserves to walk, run, and jump pain-free for the rest of her life.

I’ve been working on this site long enough to see a major transition, a “generational” transition it’s often called, beginning within WAWC. All sport experiences this. An obvious resent example is Federer and Nadal’s retirements, with Djokovic’s steady decline, to usher in the Alcarez and Sinner era. The Oakland Athletics and Cincinnati Reds early/mid 70s era transitioned to the great Yankees late-70s teams. The Steelers and Patriots dominant eras, likewise, faded, though similar forceful rosters didn’t replace them—though the Giants and 49s had good runs. (Whether due to parity, front office incompetence, or other explanations, it’s how things turned out. I have rudimentary NFL knowledge.)

    Two recent posts—Overall Contenders, and In-Prime and Poised—cover most of the folks whom I think will be this season’s prime movers.

Next post will cover young racers of unquestioned talent who have either proven their ability to win, or whose potential for a statement season, if not a decisive “break out,” is obvious.

    Here, I want to cover a few huge talents who have retired or very well may. (And in some cases, whom I believe really should.)

    Lara Gut-Behrami’s retirement surprised no one, I’m sure. She had declared 2025-26 her final season, with another SG and/or GS globe and an Olympic medal (preferably gold) as a triumphant swan song. Alas, it’s a cruel sport; one of the very greatest did not end her career as she deserved to.

    Lara’s a thorough professional, however—she knows it’s time to stop because her body, heart, and mind say so, and she respects such truth. It is no longer worth it. I read that she does not want to live the next 50-60 years with chronic pain, which she doesn’t have, but would certainly risk with another injury, or perhaps just another full season of brutal stress upon her knees.

    Like anyone who excels at their work for years and far beyond most of their peers, Gut-Behrami’s an exceptional person, whose achievements will not be equaled or exceeded in similar fashion. She’s one-of-a-kind, per the saying. And as happens whenever anyone, exceptional or not, leaves the scene, life goes on. WAWC will miss her; other racers will continue writing their own stories or begin new ones this fall.

Lara Gut-Behrami. One of the very greatest, by any measure.

    Without question, Federica Brignone should retire. Italy’s leader, for women and men, in World Cup wins (32 in the four major disciplines); 2022 and 2025 Overall champion; four discipline globes, and an extragalactic 2026 Olympic triumph, with that hideous injury between, Brignone has nothing to prove. And the risk of reinjury causing lifelong chronic pain, is just too great. She just had another operation to further “clean up” her savaged left knee. Any way you look at it, getting into fighting shape by late October for Solden will be very difficult.

   She can be competitive next season, but I don’t see her EOS better than 4^th, 3d with competitor injury, in any discipline.

  In Giant Slalom, Stieb and Rast are riding ascendent arcs; Shiffrin should be back on song. Moltzan is loaded for bear entering late career in her best form ever. All four are healthy and super-motivated. Then there’s Hector, Grenier, Colturi.

   For Super G, last year’s top runners Goggia, Robinson, and Aicher will keep it up, with Lie and Ledecka very motivated to have big seasons. Miradoli will give it another bash, perhaps dropping DH to focus on her prime discipline. Romane’s having a later-career Renaissance.

   As for Downhill, Pirovano, Aicher, and Johnson are so rock-solid, totally bitchin’ speed queens, stoked to repeat. Goggia is the DH goddess, looking to excel in her final two seasons. (I think she’ll hang ‘em up after 2028.) Weidle-Winkelmann and Lie are perhaps hungrier than any one for a superior DH campaign. Connie Huetter’s announced this is her final season—she’ll be looking to smoke every piste, and the Worlds.

    And don’t forget Corinne Suter! She’s working back to top form and really, really wants a couple excellent seasons to cap a stellar Speed career. Lara G-B’s retirement makes Corinne Switzerland’s primary veteran Fast Person. I’m so rooting for her.

    Underestimating Fede’s capabilities is very foolish. But reality exerts itself, always. She’d be running the season while still recovering from her leg injury. Does she have the stamina and pain tolerance to contest three disciplines? Two? Which ones?

    Fede cannot top her WAWC achievements—burnish them, yes, but at what cost? Her post-career options are basically limitless. Enjoy Life on a new level, Federica! You’ve so earned it.

  Now for Michelle Gisin’s situation.

    When I began this site a few years ago, I pegged her Overall podium for a few years, no sweat. Alas, annoying illness, nagging foot pain, and IMO a curious, unfruitful equipment change, prompted a few erratic seasons. An excellent 2024 EOS SL 4^th (Overall 8^th), and2023  EOS SG 9^th (Overall 13^th) were her only discipline T10 since 2022.

    Then the horrible DH training crash at St. Moritz early December 2025—an upper neck injury that “was centimeters” from making her paraplegic. Right wrist also severely injured, with left knee ACL/MCL tears. Three operations and of course no ski racing 2025-26. She married her long-time boyfriend in June 2026, so the summer began joyfully.

    Gisin has much unfinished business. Though she’s excelled at the Olympics, especially in Alpine Combined—Downhill and Slalom; IMO perhaps the truest measure of under-the-gun overall excellence (2 golds; and an SG bronze)—she has a single WAWC victory, and no discipline titles.

Michelle has 291 WAWC starts, with 19 podiums along with the Slalom win (December 2020, Semmering, Austria). 2021 was her best season: EOS Overall 3d -1130 pts. 4^th in SL and GS; 13^th SG, 15^th DH. This and her 2022 Overall 5^th pegged her for me as a can’t miss Big Person within a season. Also, her cheerful huge smile pairs with Katy Liensberger’s to radiate sunshine. (At Copper last Thanksgiving weekend, I watched Katy’s smile part the harsh overcast sky, drawing singing birds from dozens of miles.)

    From what I’ve learned, Gisin’s summer training is focused on heavy gym work, recovering basic strength/endurance. She’s done some easy on-snow. I reckon she’ll announce racing yea or nay by late September. I’d understand if she goes for it, but hope she doesn’t. I’m a wuss, I guess. Not sure how strongly necks heal; risking aggravating that recent injury with such dire risks isn’t worth it for anyone, certainly not a vibrant 32-year-old who can, I imagine, establish a fine post-career schedule for pleasure and for profit. Don’t push your luck, Michelle. Please!