Background information
The man who torments our ski cracks in summer
by Patrick Bardelli
How an interview turned into achy muscles
31.5.2022
Translation: Katherine Martin
Video: Manuel Wenk
All I wanted was an interview. A chat with Chrigel Brill, the ski and fitness coach to Swiss Olympic racers Wendy Holdener and Michelle Gisin. What resulted was an almighty pain in my muscles.
Talking about strength training is one thing. Actually doing it, is another. Especially when we’re talking about the strength training regimes of professional skiers. What does it take to go tearing down a World Cup piste, weekend after weekend, throughout winter? Not only that, but to do it as quickly as possible, with as few accidents as possible, whether it’s at the giant slalom in Sölden or the downhill in Crans-Montana. As well as good skiing technique, one thing is needed above all else: strength. Lots of it.
First the interview, then the pain
Christian «Chrigel» Brill is a ski and fitness coach at Swiss-Ski. I recently met him for an interview where we talked about his work with star skiers Wendy Holdener and Michelle Gisin.
For several years, this guy has been ensuring that two of the most successful Swiss female skiers are fit for the slopes. So he knows what he’s talking about. And yet, talking is one thing, doing is another. «What if I just show you?» Chrisgel asks me after our interview. So, after our conversation, I set out to try a typical Wendy Holdner workout. And although I’ve been doing strength training regularly for years, getting well acquainted with back squats, deadlifts and what have you, I hit my limits in no time. The warm-up regimen is a feat in itself, but just watch the video above. It’s a snippet of an approximately two-hour workout. Happy viewing! And yes, the muscle ache the following day was intense.
Patrick Bardelli
Senior Editor
Patrick.Bardelli@digitecgalaxus.chFrom radio journalist to product tester and storyteller, jogger to gravel bike novice and fitness enthusiast with barbells and dumbbells. I'm excited to see where the journey'll take me next.
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