Felix Monsén- The speedy swede
Last week, we had a visit from Felix Monsén, and we covered a lot of topics! Naturally, we took the chance to get a feel for how he’s gearing up for winter—a season that will definitely look SPEEDE SWEDE - FELIX MONSÉN different, as Ski Team Sweden announced this spring that there won’t be a speed team this year.
This past year has been a bit different since your crash in Val Gardena, with more time on your own and now no national team. How do you keep your motivation up?
- It’s definitely been tough since the crash, with dark moments and low motivation. But with the help of friends and family, I’ve managed to keep my spirits and motivation up. I’ve always had the goal of getting back to where I was before the crash and proving to myself that I can reach the top. That’s been at the back of my mind the whole time, keeping me focused on my comeback.
You’ve been training in Chile this fall with your coach, Michi Ortner. What does he mean to you in this journey?
- He means a lot. He’s a cheerful and kind guy with solid knowledge on the slopes and with my skis. He works hard and eases my workload a lot. We make a good team, and I think that’s essential if we’re going to succeed.
What’s skiing like over there? Are there alpine clubs, and what’s the quality of the lifts, snowcats, and, not least, the food?
- It’s actually better than you might think. While the lifts and snowcats are older models, the ski resorts are well-organized and have a decent number of people on the slopes. There are quite a few ski clubs, especially around Santiago, where we do a lot of training. One of the ski clubs, where a Chilean friend of mine is the head, has over 200 kids in it. The food is pretty classic South American, with a lot of meat. It’s tasty but not always super varied— still definitely better than in many other countries I’ve skied in.
We’ve seen on TV and read in the papers that you’re financing your entire project this winter, and we know you and your team have done an incredible job. Who’s in this group supporting you?
- Yes, it’s been a tough summer with a lot of work that’s really paid off, and it’s been incredibly rewarding. I’ve gotten help from all directions—people sharing their tips and tricks so that I can maximize my fundraising. Alex Köll is my main teammate in this project and has been the most involved, along with my dad. My family has been very engaged, especially my younger brother Zack.
The Londoner in Kitzbühel! The hottest afterski on the tour—how did you get them to sign on as sponsor?
- Haha, it was actually Alex Köll who made that initial contact. It’s incredible! Then I had a few conversations with the owner, Dave, and they thought the whole setup sounded like a lot of fun, so they decided to join the project. They’re even coming to the first competition in Beaver Creek in December to cheer us on!
Alright, what’s the big goal on a pair of skis?
- It’s to have fun and enjoy the amazing feeling that skiing gives. That’s become clearer to me with age. As for performance goals, for a downhill skier, the ultimate goal is to win the Hahnenkamm Rennen in Kitzbühel!
THE LIFT-BORN love the alpine sport. Therefore, we decided that the brand will be a dedicated brand to alpine racing teams, their supporters, and the lifestyle of the sport and THE LIFT BORNE is proud to support Felix with clothing for him and his team. The reason we do this is simple. Besides Felix and the people around him being fantastic individuals who are passionate about the sport, we share the same drive and are committed to contributing to the development of clubs and making sure that speed events are a priority.
Through sponsors and donors, Felix has already raised a respectable amount of funds this year. But a journey toward the World Championships and the Olympics is costly. Now we all have the opportunity to support Felix as he pursues his new goals through his GoFundMe campaign. Head over to the site and leave a contribution as well—every amount is warmly welcomed!