The Next Turn - skiing, ski racing and sport

The Next Turn is back heading into the New Year with Valérie Grenier and Britt Richardson. Coming directly off solid results at Semmering, Austria, where the conditions were incredibly tough, the two Canadians talk through the challenges of that day. Val and Britt share their thoughts on where they feel they each are in the arcs of their respective careers, the parallels, the opportunities for improvement ahead, and managing the pressure and expectations in the build up to the Milan/Cortina Games.

This week on The Next Turn, Erika Pykäläinen of Finland joins us for a candid conversation about the challenges of an early start on the World Cup and the tough road to find success at the highest level of our sport. From technical cues to mental adjustments, coaches insights to personal ownership…no subject was off limits. Erika shows her grit, resilience, gratitude and humor in this very enjoyable chat.

Thea Louise Stjernesund and Mina Fürst Holtmann may share a nation, but their paths to the World Cup couldn’t be more different — one a child prodigy, the other a late bloomer. In this episode, they take us back to the beginning, sharing how they found ski racing, what hooked them, and what’s kept them in the sport. Recorded after Sölden and Levi and before Copper, Thea and Mina walk us through the early part of their season: what’s worked, what hasn’t, and what they’re carrying forward. They offer insight into their training habits, inspection style, and the unique communication-driven culture of the Norwegian team. They also open up about what they admire in each other’s skiing… and the card game they can’t get enough of, all provides for a lively, thoughtful conversation with two athletes on the rise.

Felix Monsén is currently the only Swede competing in World Cup speed — to keep his career on track without the funding of the Swedish Team, he founded the Speed Swedes, the platform for him to create his own team and to cover his own travel, accommodation, and training heading into the 2026 Cortina Olympic Games. In this episode, Felix explains what happened and how he suddenly faced the possibility of forced retirement. Despite near–career-ending injuries, Felix chose to keep going. He now races independently for Sweden with coach, manager and best friend Alex Koell at his side. This conversation might frustrate you, but it will also fire you up — because when everything fell away, the people who believed in his talent, along with his own belief in himself, kept him moving forward. Felix and Alex share what it really takes to run an independent World Cup speed team: the work, the travel, the finances, and the grit.

The Next Turn continues the tradition of learning from the best coaches in the sport; Forest Carey is a career ski coach who has worn nearly every hat in the sport — including two seasons with Bode Miller’s independent “Team America.” After more than a decade with the U.S. Ski Team, he’s now running a Groms program in Park City, focusing on fun, feel, and confidence for young athletes. We talk about what it means to meet athletes where they are — from the world’s best to kids who just want to catch air. Forest brings a thoughtful, honest perspective that brings the sport back to what lasts: joy, movement, courage, and feel. As always, Martin, Cara and Jeff share their “thoughts of the day.” Be well, ski well.