My name is Leonie Zegg, I was born on 25 October 2004 in Feldkirch and I come from Lech. I joined the Arlberg Ski Club at a very early age and never missed a training session. When I was younger, all I ever wanted to do was ski. I wanted to attend every training session, ski freely, spend lots of time in the backcountry and just have fun skiing. I still benefit from this desire I had back then, because I believe that a good racer must also be a good skier!

I never really thought about becoming a professional ski racer; I just wanted to take part in the ski club races because I enjoyed them so much. After four years of primary school and one year of secondary school in Lech, I began to think more and more about whether I wanted to start racing. As many members of my family grew up skiing and, above all, racing, I decided to try the entrance exam for the ski school in Schruns. With a big disadvantage in terms of skiing technique but an incredible advantage in terms of skiing ability, I then completed three years at the ski school in Schruns. I then transferred to the ski high school in Stams. After five years and graduating from the ski high school in Stams, I moved to Innsbruck to receive the best possible training. So I have been living, training and studying in Innsbruck for a year now.

Since I started racing very late compared to my fellow competitors, I wasn't able to achieve much success in the early years of my career. However, I always remained consistent and tried to train more than everyone else. This ultimately led to success! When I was given my first taste of ÖSV air (in the sense of an ÖSV training group, but without squad status) by the Vorarlberg Ski Association, I was already able to achieve my first top ten European Cup placings and participate in my first Junior World Championships in 2024. After this successful season, I was accepted into the ÖSV C squad. From that point on, both my coaches and I realised that I definitely had what it takes in the speed disciplines. After a year in the ÖSV junior squad, I unfortunately injured my left knee in the last race of the season. The diagnosis: torn medial ligament. My first serious injury.

My rehabilitation went smoothly, and I was able to start preparing for the next season, which has been my most successful to date, feeling healthy, motivated and full of anticipation and ambition.

I achieved several podium places in the FIS, as well as my first podium place in the European Cup downhill in Zauchensee. Further top ten placings in the European Cup and 4th place in the overall downhill standings crowned this competition series. But what I am most proud of is the silver medal at the Junior World Championships in Tarvisio in March 2025. It was a goal I had dreamed of when it was still unimaginable. Every time I look at the medal, I think to myself, ‘You don't have to grow up in the slalom gates to be successful.’ It gives me even more motivation and anticipation to improve every day so that one day I can hold a ‘real’ World Championship medal in my hands.

Thanks to these successes, I have now been officially promoted from the ÖSV junior squad to the European Cup team. And if I stay healthy and continue to work hard, I could even be competing in my first World Cup events next season.

However, staying healthy and having fun are always at the top of my list of priorities. That's how I started skiing and how I fought my way through difficult times without the Austrian Ski Association and without any major successes. The Ski Club Arlberg has been by my side from the very beginning and has never stopped believing in me. Thank you very much for your endless support and trust!

Ski heil, yours LeonieJ 05.08.2025

How was your season?

Looking at the results, my last season was definitely my most successful. But it's not just the results and successes that I'm happy with. I've found my own routine, balance and approach to training and competitions, but I've also gained a better understanding of regeneration and recovery, and I'm actually just as proud of that as I am of my performance in the competitions themselves :)

What was your personal moment of happiness?

Definitely the Junior World Championships! This event had been a big goal of mine for years, and after finishing 4th in my favourite discipline, the downhill, I was able to win the silver medal in the Super-G, which was incredible for me. To be honest, I still get goosebumps when I think back on it.

Was there a low point?

The biggest and certainly most painful low point was at the European Cup Super-G in Bardonecchia. The conditions for this race were very difficult: not much snow, nights that were too warm... I crashed in this race – exactly one week before the start of the Junior World Championships – and at first I couldn't believe what had just happened. Somehow, everything hurt, from head to toe. After all the examinations, it turned out that with a lot of work, physiotherapy and the right approach, I could be fit again in a week and compete in the Junior World Championships. I learned a lot from that. Not everything is over just because a small stone is placed in your path ;).

What was new or different this season?

My training in general hasn't changed much. What has changed significantly, however, is the amount of giant slalom training. I only did speed training on a few days during my preparation – which I didn't like at all at first, but in hindsight I can say that it was exactly what I needed for this season. I also made some small adjustments to my fitness training. I kept myself very fit throughout the winter, which gave me an advantage in April!

Which slope was the biggest challenge for you?

Kitzbühel immediately springs to mind when I hear this question. The Streif! It took a lot of effort to ski down the steep slope, but I enjoyed it just as much.

What are you particularly proud of?

I could only talk about the Junior World Championships, because that was by far the best mental performance I achieved last winter. However, I have to say that my season started with a podium finish in the FIS giant slalom – it may sound a bit strange, but I'm very proud of that achievement. I've had problems with giant slalom throughout my entire career. So when I came third with bib number 37 on a slope where I never thought I'd be competitive, I was incredibly happy and it also laid the foundation for the races to come. Because from that point on, things went steeply uphill.

However, I definitely delivered my best skiing performance in Zauchensee at the European Cup. This slope isn't necessarily tailor-made for me either. There, I was able to celebrate my first podium finish in the European Cup.

How did you deal with the pressure and nerves?

As I mentioned above, this year I was able to develop approaches and strategies that helped me a lot. Pressure situations in particular were always a big hurdle for me, but now they are more of a challenge and fun, because I know exactly what I have to do to perform at my best.

Ultimately, however, it's not the approaches I take immediately before the race that help me the most – rather, it's a general sense of inner calm, sufficient sleep, healthy eating and low stress levels. But when I think about the start process itself, a specific warm-up routine and breathing exercises come to mind.

Was there a situation in which you surpassed yourself mentally or athletically?

I could actually talk about the whole season here. But if I had to limit it to one situation, I would mention the pressure situation in Tarvis at the Junior World Championships. I knew I was still missing a medal and it had been a huge goal of mine for a long time. Of course, coming fourth hurt a lot, but I tried to recover from it as quickly as possible. Or rather, I didn't want this result to make me too sad. I kept telling myself: "You have to come fourth at a major event first." Many people found it strange and questionable why I wasn't sad or angry that I had missed out on a medal. But I just tried to see it more realistically and remember that I still had one race left. Then I stood at the start of the Super-G, just grinned, enjoyed the whole situation and finally delivered.

How important is the team to you?

I am a team person. My environment has a big influence on my performance. I have a very good relationship with my coaches and the entire team. My training group was very motivated, but I also always sought to maintain contact with home and my family. I have the perfect environment for the coming season as well and am looking forward to continuing my work.

What would you say to your "pre-season self" with the knowledge you have today?

 "Stay realistic, don't let your emotions get the better of you – whether they're high or low – and always have fun, no matter what you're doing!"

What are your plans for the coming season?

I just want to keep working the same way. Build up a perfect physical foundation, train smart (don't overdo it and listen to my body), but above all, STAY HEALTHY. Because I think that only if you are fit and healthy in the long term can you have a great career.

Personally, I want to continue to be balanced, enjoy sport but also enjoy "normal" life, and not neglect my family and friends alongside all the training – because, as I said, I perform best when I know that those around me are also doing well :)

Last April, you tore your medial collateral ligament. What did you take away from that time for last season?

This season was a comeback season. Last year, I learned what it means to not be able to do everyday things, and I learned to appreciate not being in pain.

When I fell at the European Cup in Bardonecchia, I only aggravated my injured knee, which caused the swelling and inflammation to return slightly. The recovery was short, as I was under time pressure until the Junior World Championships, but ultimately it went very well. I have no complaints about my whole body and can train at full throttle.