Hellas Hero and Ski Cosmopolitan: AJ Ginnis strengthens the VAN DEER-Red Bull Sports Team

And then, in February 2023, AJ Ginnis rose to modern Greek sports legend status in France: with a second-place finish in the Chamonix slalom, the "Hellas Hero" became the first Greek skier ever to stand on a World Cup podium. Just two weeks later, he topped it with a historic World Championship silver medal in Courchevel/Meribel. A sporting odyssey that only life can write. Now, Marcel Hirscher brings the ski cosmopolitan into the VAN DEER-Red Bull Sports team—and he knows exactly why:

AJ enriches the World Cup scene not only with his talent and personality but brings an entire country into the skiing world—I’m incredibly happy to have him with us.

A perfect match of personality, performance potential, and brand spirit. Some races have two winners, even if they're not tied. The legendary World Championship slalom in Courchevel/Meribel 2023 was one of those: Henrik Kristoffersen won the team’s first gold medal in the debut winter of VAN DEER-Red Bull Sports. And with his second-place finish, AJ Ginnis made history for Greece, delivering its first-ever alpine skiing silver medal. A moment comparable to the triumph of the Greek national soccer team in the 2004 European Championship. AJ Ginnis' career has been extraordinary right from the start - characterized by challenges, but also impressive stamina. After a break due to injury, VAN DEER-Red Bull Sports is now giving him new opportunities to attack again. We spoke to him about his new start, his goals and his motivation:

AJ, you were born in Greece — how do you become a successful ski racer there?

Yeah, I grew up in Athens. We’re a ski-crazy family and had a cabin near Parnassos Ski Resort—we’d go skiing every weekend. I started when I was two.

And how did things go from there for this Greek ski kid?

Adventurous! I moved to Austria with my dad when I was twelve. He worked there during the winters, and my parents wanted me to experience a different culture. At first, it was tough: I had no friends because I didn’t speak the local language. The kids didn’t speak Greek, and their English was limited. My dad got me into a junior racing team in Kaprun—that’s how it all really started.

What was your start in competitive skiing like?

Honestly, pretty rough. I was really bad at first—but I improved quickly across the board: I learned German, made friends, and settled into life in Kaprun. Speaking German is still a huge asset in ski racing today.

What does your Greek heritage mean to you?

A lot! We Greeks are very connected to our country. My dad used to work in the ski industry back home, and we always watched World Cup races together. To now compete in the World Cup for Greece—it’s a huge honor.

When did you know you wanted to be a professional skier?

At fifteen, I was already doing well at the national level in Austria. My mom grew up in New York with my Greek grandparents before moving back to Greece. She worked hard to get me a sports scholarship in the U.S., where I could combine skiing and education—a new culture, a new language. At seventeen, I joined the U.S. Ski Team’s development squad. I remember being in the gym one day with Ted Ligety and other stars—and that’s when I knew: I want to reach the top in ski racing too.

How did your ski career go in the U.S.?

Like an emotional rollercoaster. I spent seven years on the team, had good results—but also lots of injuries and constant comebacks. In 2020, COVID hit, and the U.S. team couldn’t offer me a real perspective anymore. Greece gave me the chance to race for my home federation with my own team. I called a buddy from the U.S. team and said: “Hey, I’m switching to Greece—will you coach me?” He was in. So were my sponsors and I made the change back home.

How was your first major success racing for Greece?

Man, I’ll never forget February 4, 2023 in Chamonix! 23rd after the first run. I went all-in for the second run, showing what I was really capable of. Then I sat on that red leader’s chair for 40 minutes. I ended up in second—the first-ever Greek skier on a World Cup podium. Just a year earlier, I’d torn my ACL. That moment of triumph after all those challenges changed me.

And then the next milestone came just two weeks later, right?

Exactly. The silver medal in the World Championship slalom in Courchevel behind Henrik Kristoffersen was the next magic moment. I thought the whole story was just insanely cool: Marcel Hirscher, the greatest ski racer of all time, starts his own ski company—that alone is crazy. Then his biggest rival from back in the day joins the team and becomes world champion on those skis. That day had several winners: Henrik, me, Marcel, and the whole team.

You and Marcel shared some tough luck last season: final race in Gurgl…

Yeah, unfortunately true. I had to undergo my third knee surgery after Gurgl, and Marcel got injured soon after at Reiteralm. It’s tough, but injuries make you more mature — and stronger. Mentally, the recovery time is especially hard. I learned to focus on small wins: the first squats, then a little more weight. Eventually, you see the light at the end of the tunnel and start feeling strong again. Then it all becomes easier—you’re back in the athlete’s flow. Of course, you miss the tour, the people, the routine. Kitzbühel, Schladming, the Alpine World Ski Championships in Saalbach — I live in Saalfelden, that would have been a home race for me. I admit, it was hard to just watch. But: a new winter is coming, with new gear — a new beginning.

What does it mean to you to be part of Marcel Hirscher’s VAN DEER-Red Bull Sports Team?

The way they approach ski racing here, the level of professionalism — it’s on another level. Just look at Henrik Kristoffersen and Timon Haugan — you can see how top-tier the gear is, and how strong the support for athletes is. I can’t think of a story quite like this: Marcel dominated the sport for eight years, gathered all the masterminds behind his success into his new company — and now all of that experience flows into product development. It’s a big deal to be part of this story.