What's happened
ESPN's five-episode series 'On the Edge: World Cup Ski Racing' features stars like Shiffrin, Vonn, and others, offering behind-the-scenes insights into their careers, injuries, and Olympic pursuits. The series aims to inspire future skiers and expand the sport's reach, with the final episode focusing on Swiss racer Camille Rast reflecting on a tragic fire and Olympic performances. The series premieres on ESPN+ today.
What's behind the headline?
The series 'On the Edge' strategically elevates ski racing's profile by focusing on personal stories that resonate beyond the sport itself. It emphasizes the resilience of athletes like Shiffrin and Vonn, who have returned from severe injuries, reinforcing the narrative of perseverance. The inclusion of international athletes broadens its appeal, while the final episode's focus on Camille Rast's reflection on tragedy adds emotional depth. This approach will likely increase youth engagement and inspire new talent, but it also risks romanticizing injury and hardship without addressing systemic issues in the sport. Overall, the series will solidify ski racing's cultural relevance and could influence future Olympic and World Cup participation.
What the papers say
The AP News article highlights the series' focus on athlete stories and its broader goal to inspire participation, quoting Sophie Goldschmidt on its importance for the sport's future. The Independent echoes this, emphasizing the series' international scope and behind-the-scenes look at the grind of professional skiing, with filmmaker Pat Dimon stressing the series' raw portrayal of the sport's realities. Both sources agree on the series' potential to elevate ski racing's profile, though the AP notes its specific focus on Olympic support and injury recovery, while The Independent emphasizes its emotional storytelling and global reach. The coverage suggests a strategic effort by ESPN and the sport's governing bodies to deepen engagement and attract new fans through authentic storytelling.
How we got here
The series was created to showcase the personal journeys and challenges faced by top ski racers, including their injuries, mental resilience, and Olympic ambitions. It aims to deepen public understanding of the sport beyond the competition, highlighting the physical and emotional toll on athletes and the broader effort to grow ski racing's popularity globally.
Go deeper
More on these topics
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Camille Rast is a Swiss alpine ski racer.
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Mikaela Pauline Shiffrin is an American two-time Olympic Gold Medalist and World Cup alpine skier. She is a three-time Overall World Cup champion, the four-time reigning world champion in slalom, and a six-time winner of the World Cup discipline title in
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Lindsey Caroline Vonn (née Kildow ; born October 18, 1984) is an American alpine ski racer. She won four World Cup overall championships with titles in 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2012. Vonn won the gold medal in downhill at the 2010 Winter Olympics, the first
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Sophie Goldschmidt is a British global business executive who is currently the President & CEO of U.S. Ski & Snowboard, the national governing body for Olympic skiing and snowboarding in the United States. Prior to U.S.