THE SWEDISH LIGHT NAMED AX SWARTZ
Simply being accepted into the VAN DEER-Red Bull Sports Racing Team is considered a significant achievement: this “Best of Excellence” team is looking for talents capable of making a mark in alpine skiing.
ATTENTIVE EYES CATCH MORE
In the VAN DEER-Red Bull Sports Team, the best keep an eye out for the best: talent scouts renowned for their keen eye for rising athletes – above all, Toni Giger, Edi Unterberger, Ferdinand Hirscher, and, of course, Marcel Hirscher. Conversely, anyone who catches the eye of these figures has already achieved a great deal.
YOUNG GUN WITH THAT SPECIAL SOMETHING
Fabian Ax Swartz (20) has the unique qualities required to continue the legacy of Sweden's skiing greats. He is well aware that a new challenge lies ahead. His vision for the next step: "Firstly, I want to build on last season, have a good World Cup season, particularly in slalom, but also deliver strong results in giant slalom."
I hope we, as a team, achieve our goals. Medals at the World Championships would be fantastic, of course.
That’s what you call visionary clarity! And this is how Fabian, sometimes nicknamed "The Swedish Light Named Swartz" by the scene, plans his career steps: take the tried and tested, nurture it, and develop the new. “Last season was great: I didn’t achieve all my goals, but I certainly ticked off a few. I’m currently in a phase of learning and gaining experience in the Ski World Cup. I’ve made some adjustments during preparation to continue improving.”
STOCKHOLM, SALZBURG, SKI WORLD CUP
The current location of the young Swede, who lives in Stockholm and Salzburg: Sölden. His plan for the intense preparation phase: “Continue with our solid preparation and focus on the next goals. It's my first World Championship winter, but I'm concentrating on the journey – race by race, starting with the opening in Sölden.” Status update on the setup? “Our VAN DEER-Red Bull Sports Team is incredibly dedicated, motivated, and precise in everything it does. In my opinion, we’re operating on a completely different level. That’s why I’m proud to be part of this team from the beginning. It’s something very special! I see a long journey ahead for us together, with the VAN DEER-Red Bull Sports Team evolving into one of the strongest teams on the World Cup circuit. I’m also convinced that the brand will become the 'love brand' for ambitious skiers in the future: so much passion goes into the quality of every detail – and you can feel that, not just as a racer but also as a consumer.”
MARCEL WAS MY IDOL WHEN I STARTED
The classic question to Fabian: Imagine a fellow ski racer, five years after retiring, tells you he’s thinking of returning to competition. What would be your immediate reaction? “My question would be: ‘Are you completely crazy!?’ But since we’re talking about Marcel, I’d say: It’s a bit crazy.” He adds: “Marcel’s return is huge. He was my idol ever since I started skiing. The thought of standing at the start with someone like him is incredibly inspiring. But yeah, let’s face it: racing is still racing.”
Regarding the ongoing speculation about the boss's performance after such a long break from racing, Fabian Ax Swartz has a crystal-clear opinion: “The constant rumours only prove how valuable his return is for ski racing. And I’m not one of those who underestimates Marcel’s abilities: everyone knows he was the best in alpine skiing. We all know he’s incredibly fast. I’m looking forward to when the show begins.”
