Swiss Ski Star Malorie Blanc Prefers Calm to Social Media Buzz After Crans-Montana Win

March 21, 2026 Julia Evans – Entertainment Editor Entertainment

CRANS-MONTANA, Switzerland – Swiss skier Malorie Blanc secured her first Audi FIS Ski World Cup victory in the Super-G race at Crans-Montana on January 31, 2026, finishing with a time of 1:17.34. The 22-year-vintage racer edged out Italy’s Sofia Goggia by 0.18 seconds, while Breezy Johnson of the United States finished third, marking her first career Super-G podium.

Blanc’s win came on the final stop before the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympic Games, adding significance to the victory for the Swiss athlete competing on home slopes. The race followed the cancellation of the previous day’s downhill event due to weather conditions. “With the atmosphere here, it’s amazing and I’m so happy to win something like this,” Blanc stated, according to FIS Ski.

The victory represents a breakthrough moment for Blanc, who previously achieved only one World Cup podium finish – a second-place result in the St. Anton downhill in 2025. She moved ahead of Goggia, a nine-time Super-G World Cup winner, with a strong final sector of 12.79 seconds. Goggia finished with a time of 1:17.52.

The Italian team experienced a mixed day, with Roberta Melesi initially setting the fastest time of 1:17.76, only to be surpassed by Goggia and ultimately Blanc. Federica Brignone, a two-time Crans Montana Super-G podium finisher, struggled to match her previous performances, finishing more than a second behind the leaders. Laura Pirovano also came close to the lead but lost time in the final seconds of her run.

The event in Crans-Montana was held under somber circumstances following a fatal New Year’s fire that claimed 40 lives and injured 116 people. Organizers toned down the usual festivities, replacing vibrant colors and advertising with white and black signs displaying messages of mourning in multiple languages. Blanc acknowledged the unique atmosphere, stating she tried to focus on her skiing and was motivated by the support of the crowd.

Goggia, wearing a black armband in remembrance of the tragedy, acknowledged the difficulty of competing in the resort given the recent events. “The thought of that drama has accompanied me throughout this month, knowing that I have to compete in this very location,” she said.

Away from the racecourse, Blanc maintains a markedly different public profile than many of her competitors. While Lindsey Vonn actively engages with her 3.6 million Instagram followers, Blanc intentionally limits her social media presence. She reports struggling to post content, citing a desire to maintain privacy and avoid the addictive nature of social media. Blanc caps her smartphone use at fifteen minutes per day, a practice shared with her roommate, Janine Schmitt, after which they focus on more creative pursuits.

Despite her preference for a quieter life, Blanc’s victory has led to increased attention, including a surge in fan club memberships and social media followers. She is currently ranked eighth in the Super-G discipline standings, having climbed from 25th place. Blanc will continue competing in the World Cup finals in Kvitfjell, where she will focus on both Super-G and downhill events, acknowledging challenges with the latter’s longer curves and gliding sections.