Slalomers are shining this winter in the World Cup. Within their team at Swiss Ski, they can count on Valaisan Denis Wicki, a coach who is as humble as he is passionate.
A tireless worker in the shadows, Denis Wicki often dodges interview requests. “I prefer that we talk about the athletes rather than me… My role is to put things in place so that they, the champions, perform. They are the ones who make people vibrate. I make holes, I put up stakes, I give feedback I try to get them to their best level, but that’s all I can do…”
And it’s so much at once. Coach in the World Cup group of Swiss technicians for 12 years, the Valaisan knows how to transmit his immense skills and create a relationship of trust which supports the athletes. For 10 years, he accompanied Michelle Gisin to the summits, notably celebrating two Olympic titles with the Obwalden.
For 2 years, he has now taken care more specifically of Valaisannes Camille Rast and Mélanie Meillard. And the two young women have been shining since the start of the season. Rast scored his first 4 World Cup podiums, including 2 victories, and is at the top of the discipline rankings, with the crystal globe in his sights. Meillard, for her part, has shown remarkable consistency, since she has not left the top 10 in 6 slaloms and also seems ripe for the podium.
We met Denis Wicki and his protégés shortly before Christmas, during a training session organized at his home in Vercorin. On the menu: involvement, precision and contagious good humor.
Gaëlle Cajeux
Swiss
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