Dad Luc Alphand, who won the overall World Cup 1996-1997, has a World Cup bronze in downhill and a total of twelve World Cup victories in downhill and super-G. In addition, her brothers Nils and Sam are also boaters.

Now, Estelle Alphand herself has begun to cast her eyes on taking up the speed disciplines again.

- It is slalom and grand slalom that now applies. But then maybe I should compete a little more in speed, in the European Cup first, she says.

- It's not safe yet, but maybe a little super-G anyway. It's just an idea I got.

Estelle Alphand debuted in the World Cup as early as 2013, but ran for her father's home country France until she switched to the Swedish national team for the 2017–2018 season.

It went beyond expectation immediately. During the premiere season as a Swedish rider, she picked several top ten places and stepped up as a possible medal jump to the home world championships in Åre last winter.

Unfortunately, however, last season barely got started before the accident occurred. Alphand drove out of the World Cup slalom in Killington in November and suffered an ankle fracture, an injury that kept her away from competing for the rest of the season.

- I didn't get much of the season. It was hard in the beginning. You couldn't do anything, just sitting on the couch and watching the others, she says.

- It wasn't that fun, but then it went pretty fast anyway.

Only after eleven months, in the grand slam premiere in Sölden in October, was the 24-year-old back in the competition track. However, she did not manage to qualify for the second ride, at that time. But the goal for the season is set.

- I may not have thought much about it, but I would like to get back to the top 15 in big slalom and slalom, says Alphand ahead of the slalom premiere in Levi on Saturday.

In addition to the technical branches, however, during the rehabilitation period, there has also been some speed training, both in the spring and during the training camp. This means that Estelle Alphand, who previously became French champion in downhill races and took super-G gold at the Youth Olympics, has also carefully examined the European Cup's speed calendar.

- Yes, there will be some super-G in January-February maybe, after the World Cup in Maribor when we have a little more time.

- That would be fun. I have run a lot of speed before, many, many races in downhill, combi and super-G.

Are you thinking about taking the downhill race again?

- Maybe not right now. I'd love to do that. But there will be a lot of training and a lot of competitions. So we'll see.

ARCHIVE: Estelle Alphand departed in the comeback - see the clip here (October 26, 2019)

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