Most teams have finalized their team roster for the upcoming Olympic season. If some notorious athletes will no longer be skiing on the World Cup Tour (see athletes' retirement), some new promising names made the cut into the national team and will be racing in the highest league from next season on. Here is a summary of our Top 10 nations' announcements:
Austria
Led by six times Overall winner Marcel Hirscher, the Austrian team offers a great mix between young guns (Katharina Truppe, Michael Matt, Manuel Feller) and experienced skiers (Anna Veith, Michael Kirchgasser, Hannes Reichelt). Crystal globes and Olympic titles are the goals of this ambitious team.
Italy
Can the Italian ladies win the Nations' Cup again in 2017/18..? A strong team with Overall third Sofia Goggia and downhill globe winner Peter Fill will for sure fight for the top positions in the upcoming season.
Switzerland
World Champion Beat Feuz and Overall winner 2016/17 Lara Gut are the headlines of the Swiss Ski team 2017/18. If it's not done yet, add young Melanie Meillard (98!) on your "one-to-watch" list, she already proved her excellent technical skills on the World Cup last season.
France
While Giant Slalom globe winner Tessa Worley is the headline on the ladies' team, not less than seven different athletes podiumed last season on the men's side. So keep an eye on Alexis Pinturault, Adrien Théaux, Mathieu Faivre, Julien Lizeroux & Co
Norway
Alongsides the Top athletes Kjetil Jansurd, Henrik Krsitoffersen, Aksel Lund Svindal and Nina Loeseth, the European Cup Overall podium athletes Kristina Riis-Hohannessen, Kristin Lysdahl and Marcus Monsen made the selection in the National team.
USA
The US-Skiteam athletes have yet to be announced, but no doubt that Overall winner Mikaela Shiffrin, speed queen Lindsey Vonn and American Top stars Ted Ligety and Steven Nymann are looking forward to the Olympic season.
Germany
The German Ski Team will chase Olympic titles and crystal globes with Viktoria Rebensburg, Felix Neuteuther and other experienced athletes.
Sweden
After mixed season, the Swedish tech specialists will try again to fight on World Cup level with among others Frida Hansdotter, Maria Pietilae-Holmner, André Myhrer, Matts Olsson and Mattias Hargin.
Slovenia
The team including Overall second Ilka Stuhec and World Cup winner Bostjan Kline will be announced soon.
Canada
World Champion Erik Guay will lead his team with experienced Marie-Michèle Gagnon and Manuel Osbourne Paradis into the 2017/18 season.
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