Episodes

  • S2, E6: Levi preview in Levi!

    S2, E6: Levi preview in Levi!
    Nov 15 2024
    On the morning that Lucas Pinheiro Braathen came and gave Alan and I a hand shake we recorded with World Cup Levi content co-ordinator, Filippo Dias and Fan Club Lucas Brazil founder, Darka Śefćik. We changed about the upcoming race weekend bet in the Arctic Circle, all brought to you by Ski Racing Media. On the 20th anniversary of World Cup Levi we spoke to Filippo about the route that has taken him from Brazil to his 7th year working in Levi. Filippo chatted about the Finnish team and their ambitions for the race weekend. We all shared our thoughts about Mikaela Shiffrin, Petra Vlhova, Marcel Hirscher and many, many more. And, all four of us gave some very intriguing predictions for the women's and men's slalom this weekend. Thank you very much for listening and enjoy!
    Show More Show Less
    40 mins
  • S2,E5: Barbara Ann Cochran

    S2,E5: Barbara Ann Cochran
    Nov 11 2024

    In this week’s interview episode on the Skiing is Believing podcast, we had the pleasure to speak with former US Ski Team champion, Barbara Ann Cochran.

    She shared her incredible story of growing up with her father, a huge sports enthusiast with her two sisters and brother and how they would all go on to be part of the national team and retire at the same time. Cochran told us that Cochran’s Ski Area was built in 1961, when Barbara Ann was 10 and that it is still going strong, season after season.

    When Babara broke on to the alpine skiing scene, she was 17 on debut in March 1968 before taking World Championship silver in Val Gardena in 1970. She told us that she wasn’t always extremely confident but liked to think she had a chance of winning any given race, which she quite often did.

    In 1972 in Sapporo, she became the Olympic slalom champion, something she talks, in detail, about in this interview.

    It was only 2 years later that Barbara decided to retire, aged 23. This was a decision that is always difficult to make, but as her father didn’t hold his position as alpine director, all four of his children decided that the time had come to let the Cochran’s leave the team.

    Barbara has done many things in her retirement. She was a teacher for many years before mothering current US Ski racer, Ryan Cochran-Siegle, who, like his mother, is an Olympic medallist. In this conversation, she shares her pride for her son and that she feels he has always been in very good company in the team, while also giving us some insight on what Ryan was like growing up.

    Please let Alan and Matt know what you thought of this episode in addition to any of their episodes throughout the last 12 months. This weekend Alan and I are heading to their first World Cup race, so why not follow our experience on Instagram, Spotify and YouTube @skiingisbelievingpodcast or email us via mattgarcka.skiingisbelievingpodcast@gmail.com
    Show More Show Less
    50 mins
  • S2, E4: Charlie Guest

    S2, E4: Charlie Guest
    Nov 7 2024
    In this episode, brought to you by Ski Racing Media, we had the privilege of welcoming one of Britain's best alpine skiers ever, Charlie Guest. She shared her experiences of growing up skiing with all her family at her grandparents at the weekend to competing in some of her first racers in Scotland when the organising committee actually thought Charlie Guest was a male competitor. Charlie then told us about the ups and downs of her career from nearly quitting multiple times to 12th place in the 2022 Schladming slalom. She then explained the reasoning behind the announcement of her retirement in March when she waved goodbye to the World Cup in Åre. Charlie also told Alan and I the reason she wrote that letter to FIS after they didn't show the women's events from the 2024 World Junior Championships in January and February. Telling us that one of the most gender equal sports wasn't promoting this very well though their lack of coverage. She shared all this and so much more in this Great British. 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
    Show More Show Less
    51 mins
  • S2,E3: Marc Girardelli

    S2,E3: Marc Girardelli
    Nov 4 2024
    In this episode, brought to you by Ski Racing Media, Alan and I had the absolute honour of welcoming one of the greatest to ever put on a pair of ski racing planks in the 46-time World Cup winner, Marc Girardelli. Marc told us some fascinating tales from his World Cup debut, aged 16, all the way back in 1979 to present day where Girardelli clothing brand is becoming very popular. As he tells us towards the end of the conversation this is how he has kept himself involved with ski racing. Alan and I took so much from this interview, nothing more important than a sheer love and reference of care about the sport we all love very much. Marc was also very keen to share his thoughts on the current FIS World Cup scene and how he believes that yesterday's greats would be even better in a more modern era. Whilst the comparison isdifficult to make, Marc certainly believes that with the improvement in so many aspects the likes of Stenmark and Zurbriggen would still be extremely successful. As usual, we finished with our quick-fire questions which were answered well, and interestingly by Marc to conclude a fabulous episode. 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 and Skiing is Believing.
    Show More Show Less
    49 mins
  • 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.
    Show More Show Less
    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.
    Show More Show Less
    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!
    Show More Show Less
    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.
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 29 mins