In the first episode of the Next Gen series, brought to you by Ski Racing Media, Alan and I chatted with the Canadian rising star, Jesse Kertesz-Knight.

We discussed where Jesse first skied at Jasper, Marmot Basin, Alberta, a place that is near and dear to Alan as one of his favourite resorts.

Jesse also told us, in depth, the overall thoughts on his season when Jesse had scored his first Europa Cup points, Nor-Am Cup wins and even made his World Cup debut in Kranjska Gora in March.

We also chatted about the current situation with Alpine Canada and the situation with the men's technical team , however the group is currently together on a camp in Saas Fee.

Matt and Alan asked Jesse about his career goals, not only for the upcoming season, but also the entirety of his life in skiing, where he hopes to hit the heights that many of his compatriots and idols have got to.

This episode is brought to you by Ski Racing Media. Keep up to date with all the ski racing news and information you need throughout the summer.

This episode is also brought to you by Ski Cosmos. Ski Cosmos is a skiing specific training centre in Vancouver that helps racers of all abilities with their skills.

You can also get in contact with Matt and Alan via email using mattgarcka.skiingisbelieving@gmail.com or via Instagram and YouTube @skiingisbelievingpodcast

In this episode, brought to you by Ski Racing Media, Alan and I had the privilege to welcome former American downhiller and Ski Club of Vail coach, AJ Kitt. We learn how Kitt first started skiing in the resort where his parents worked as ski instructors and how he became such a successful ski racer. We also chatted, in depth, about the changes to the sport and specifically to downhill over the last 30 years from when AJ was racing and the current situation. Kitt also shared his thoughts on the current development and future system of the Stifel US Ski Team. Kitt shared concern on the next generation, specifically on the men's side and you can hear Kitt's potential solution. This episode is brought to you by Ski Racing Media. Keep up to date with all the ski racjng news and information you need throughout the summer. This episode is also brought to you by Ski Cosmos. Ski Cosmos is a skiing specific training centre in Vancouver that helps racers of all abilities with their skillls. You can also get in contact with Matt and Alan via email using mattgarcka.skiingisbelieving@gmail.com or via Instagram and YouTube @skiingisbelievingpodcast

In this episode, brought to you by Ski Racing Media, Alan and I discussed all the breaking news items that have emerged in the last few days.

We began with the news that the 31-year-old Austrian, Stephanie Venier has announced her retirement from the sport. We give all the details on the Super-G world champion's decision.

We also chatted about the announcement that former Norwegian superstar, Aksel Lund Svindal will join Lindsey Vonn's coaching and tactical team for the upcoming season.

We also mention the return to snow for Aleksander Aamodt Kilde this week and another retirement for the Swiss racer, Noel von Grünigen.

This episode is brought to you by Ski Racing Media. Keep up to date with all the ski racing news and information you need throughout the summer.

This episode is also brought to you by Ski Cosmos. Ski Cosmos is a skiing specific training centre in Vancouver that helps racers of all abilities with their skills.

You can also get in contact with Matt and Alan via email using mattgarcka.skiingisbelieving@gmail.com or via Instagram and YouTube @skiingisbelievingpodcast

In this episode, brought to you by Ski Racing Media, Alan and I chatted with the Swiss slalom star, Tanguy Nef.

He discussed the overall thoughts on the season just gone, the best of his career to date, and the season coming up where Tanguy makes it clear his goal is to stay healthy and stay consistent.

He also spoke on the current strength of both the men's and women's teams in Switzerland and especially the enjoyment of the Team Combined event at the World Champs where Tanguy partnered with Alexis Monney to take silver .

Tanguy also discussed, in depth, the route he took by attending Dartmouth college and racing on the NCAA circuit alongside World Cup during his time in New Hampshire.

We finished with the usual quick-fire questions where we learn Tanguy's favourite place to ski.

This episode is brought to you by Ski Racing Media. Head to their website and social media pages now for all the ski racing insights, news and content now. You can also read my article that this interview was recorded for by visiting the link below.

Hit this link for all the latest from Ski Racing Media: https://skiracing.com/

This episode is also brought to you by Ski Cosmos. A ski racing training facility in Vancouver that you can visit to improve all aspects of your ski racing.

Check out our social media page @skiingisbelievingpodcast on Instagram or YouTube where all of our content is situated.

You can also contact us via email with any feedback, thoughts or questions, using mattgarcka.skiingisbelieving@gmail.com

the third episode of the Top 10 series, Alan and I welcomed FIS TV and TNT Sports commentator and regular podcast guest, Ian Findlay. We discussed the greats of Men's World Cup, Olympic and World Championship giant slalom ski racing. Ian, Alan and I analysed older legends like Gustavo Thoeni and Ingemar Stenmark who dominated the discipline throughout the seventies and into the eighties. We also chatted about the number of recent greats in the discipline, with the likes of Ted Ligety, Marcel Hirscher, Alexis Pinturault and Henrik Kristoffersen oozing class in the last 15/20 years across all competitions. We also finally gave Ian the chance to wax lyrical about Micheal von Gruenigen, who he managed to wiggle into his top four. We have done all three episodes in this series in different ways, and this one was based on Ian's list as we counted down from ten to one.

The Skiing is Believing podcast is brought to you by Ski Racing Media. Visit https://skiracing.com/ or @SkiRacingMedia on social media for the latest ski racing news and info to keep you up-to-date throughout the summer months.

This episode is brought to you by Ski Cosmos. Ski Cosmos is a ski simulator in Vancouver, Canada. Visit them at https://www.skicosmos.com/

In this special episode, brought to you by Ski Racing Media, Alan & I had the pleasure to welcome renowned sports psychologist, Dr. Jim Taylor to the pod.

He spoke through many of the philosophies that have served him well throughout his career, including the good and bad road, and the Prime Performance System.

Dr. Jim also shared some of the most useful mental exercises for athletes as well as anyone

who might just want to take a moment to themselves and relax.

Alan also questioned Jim on the incredible success of Mikaela Shiffrin and what gives her the mental advantage.

We also conclude the interview with the quick-fire questions as well as a mental exercise you can do wherever you are.

This episode is brought to you by Ski Racing Media. Head to their website and social media pages now for all the ski racing insights, news and content now.

Hit this link for all the latest from Ski Racing Media: https://skiracing.com/

This episode is also brought to you by Ski Cosmos. A ski racing training facility in Vancouver that you can visit to improve all aspects of your ski racing.

Check out our social media page @skiingisbelievingpodcast on Instagram or YouTube where all of our content is situated.

You can also contact us via email with any feedback, thoughts or questions, using mattgarcka.skiingisbelieving@gmail.com

In the second episode of the top ten series, Alan and I were joined by former British World Cup and double Olympian, Emma Carrick-Anderson to discuss our top ten current female racers.

We discussed both the extreme strength of the women's tour at opposite ends of their careers. The likes of Federica Brignone, Lara Gut-Behrami, and Sara Hector redefining the age at which women can be successful in the sport.

We also discussed the incredible comeback that Lindsey Vonn managed over the last 12 months and the dreams she would look to achieve over the next 12 months.

In detail, Emma, Matt, and Alan delved into the amazing success of the next generation on the tour in 2024/25 with the wins and podiums for Zrinka Ljutic, Lara Colturi and Emma Aicher.

And we, of course, chatted about the unbelievable Mikaela Shiffrin and the fantastic skiing she's consistently produced in her career.

This episode is brought to you by Ski Racing Media. Head to their website and social media pages now for all the ski racing insights, news, and content now. Hit this link for all the latest from Ski Racing Media: https://skiracing.com/

This episode is also brought to you by Ski Cosmos. A ski racing training facility in Vancouver that you can visit to improve all aspects of your ski racing.

Check out our social media page @skiingisbelievingpodcast on Instagram or YouTube, where all of our content is situated. You can also contact us via email with any feedback, thoughts, or questions, using mattgarcka.skiingisbelieving@gmail.com

In this episode, brought to you by Ski Racing Media, Alan and I chatted with the Croatian tech expert Filip Zubcic.

He discussed the overall thoughts on the season just gone and the season coming up where Filip makes it clear his goal, first and foremost, is to stay healthy.

He also spoke on the current strenght of both the men's and women's teams in Croatia despite there being a significantly low number of FIS racers in the country.

Filip also shared his thoughts on the upcoming 2025/26 Olympic season where ambitions are high and the sort of training that Filip is doing in the summer to prepare for the campaign.

We finished with the usual quick-fire questions where we learn Filip's favourite place to ski on the WC slalom/giant slalom tour.

This episode is brought to you by Ski Racing Media. Head to their website and social media pages now for all the ski racing insights, news and content now.

Hit this link for all the latest from Ski Racing Media: https://skiracing.com/

This episode is also brought to you by Ski Cosmos. A ski racing training facility in Vancouver that you can visit to improve all aspects of your ski racing.

Check out our social media page @skiingisbelievingpodcast on Instagram or YouTube where all of our content is situated.

You can also contact us via email with any feedback, thoughts or questions, using mattgarcka.skiingisbelieving@gmail.com