Hi, I’m Lorraine.
“I’ve never really been interested in being the best; what I’ve always wanted is to be my best”
I don’t know why I got so lucky in life to have grown up in Lech am Arlberg, Austria – which I’m known to say is the best ski resort in the world – and Torquay, Australia – which just happens to be one of the best surf spots in the world.…but wow, was I lucky!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MJuWIfGkI8&t=4s
I started competing in freeride events in earnest at the tender age of 28. I dedicated the following 10 years of my life to figuring out how the heck do I ski a gnarly freeride line in a competition where visual inspection is all you get?! When I started out, I never dreamt that one day I would become freeride world champion.
© Martial Gobet
not just skiing
Before my professional skier life, I simultaneously studied business management in Vienna, worked as a fully certified ski-instructor and guide, and co-founded the first freeride school in Austria. You would think I would know better by now, but clearly, I still haven’t learnt to not spread myself too thin (as you can witness in our new ski movie ‘COACH’).
progression and learning
No matter what I do in life, I’m obsessed with progression and learning. Plus, helping other women is something that’s especially close to my heart. Is it any wonder that in 2008 I created the Women’s Progression Days, helping hundreds of women hone their ski technique and confidence off-piste?
“I help people overcome their fears, perform under pressure, and achieve their goals.”
Being a world champion, you might think that I’m a naturally gifted, talented skier. You might also think that I’ve always had an unshakeable belief in my abilities.
Think again! I failed the entry exam to both my Austrian level 2 and level 3 ski instructor trainings because of subpar ski technique. I used to be riddled with self-doubt and low confidence for many years on the competitive circuit.
I would get super nervous at competitions and rarely managed to ski to my ability. My stress levels were so elevated that I experienced many of my runs as a complete blur, often ending in disaster! I felt like a total failure.
First, I get how frustrating it feels when you can’t achieve your goals! And second, I want you to know that it isn’t raw talent that wins world championships; it’s developing the mental strength that does. In other words, you don’t have to be born mentally tough; it’s a skill you can learn – just like I did.
Work with me
Let me coach you to help you reach your goals and unlock your potential! Find out more about how we can work together.
Timeline
2002Austrian Level 3 Ski and Snowboard Instructor2003Austrian UIAGM Ski Mountain Guide
Established the Freeride Center Sölden2005Career start as a professional skier2006Ski film debut with Rage Films in Greenland2007Knee reconstruction due to ACL and MCL rupture
Master’s in Business Administration, Innsbruck University2008Overall winner New Zealand Freeride Series2009Organisation of first women’s freeride camp2010First Freeride World Tour competition as a wildcard
Incapacitated for 6 months due to glandular fever2012Failed to requalify for FWT 2013 2013Overall winner Freeride World Qualifier Tour Europe
iF3 Best Freeride Female film award2014First FWT victory in Snowbird USA
Runner-up freeride world champion
Ankle fracture2016Tibia plateau fracture
Decent of the Matterhorn east face2017Freeride world champion
Vorarlberg Sportswoman of the Year
Golden medal for achievement in sport from the State of Vorarlberg20183rd overall Freeride World Tour ranking and retirement from FWT2020Master’s in Mental Strength Coaching, University of Salzburg
Previous
Next
15
years skiing professionally
8
years on the FWT
28
Podiums
15
Ski movies
14
Women’s Progression Days camps organised
266
Women coached at the Women’s Progression Days