For years, Swedish speed skier Felix Monsén has often been referred to as the “lonely Swede” of World Cup racing. While the world’s top downhill and super-G athletes typically train within large national teams packed with coaches, technicians, and training partners, Monsén has frequently found himself competing with far fewer resources than the sport’s traditional powerhouses. This is also because the Swedish alpine team has traditionally been heavily weighted toward technical disciplines, such as slalom and giant slalom, with fewer full-time speed skiers like Monsén operating within the system. Yet despite those obstacles, he has consistently remained part of the World Cup speed circuit and represented Sweden at the highest levels of the sport.
The Swedish Ski Association announced this week that Monsén and his staff will cooperate with the Austrian Ski Team (ÖSV) during the upcoming season, giving the Swedish speed specialist the opportunity to train alongside one of the most successful alpine ski programs in history. “A new chapter begins,” the Speed Swedes wrote in announcing the partnership.
“Working alongside one of the most successful alpine ski nations in the world is both an honor and a great opportunity for Felix and his staff. We are excited to learn, grow, support and push each other towards new levels of performance.”
The agreement represents a significant opportunity for Monsén, who has spent much of his World Cup career trying to bridge the gap between Sweden’s relatively small speed program and the depth enjoyed by nations such as Austria, Switzerland, and Norway. And few national teams carry the pedigree of Austria. The Austrian men’s speed team has produced generations of World Cup winners, Olympic champions, and World Championship medalists. Monsén will train alongside Austria’s elite speed group, including Vincent Kriechmayr, Stefan Babinsky, and Daniel Hemetsberger. With large training groups and extensive resources, Austrian racers benefit from daily competition against some of the fastest skiers in the world.
For Monsén, access to that environment could be invaluable. Training alongside the Austrian speed team means more opportunities to compare equipment setups, race lines, and technique with some of the sport’s biggest names. It also provides the type of day-to-day competitive environment that smaller national programs often struggle to replicate.
Monsén may race for Sweden, but many American ski fans know him through an unexpected connection: Wyoming. Before establishing himself as a World Cup regular, Monsén competed for the University of Wyoming, becoming part of a long tradition of international athletes developing through the American collegiate ski system.
Monsén’s World Cup career has been defined by perseverance. The Swede has battled injuries, funding challenges, and the realities of competing against nations with significantly larger programs. Yet despite those obstacles, he has consistently remained part of the World Cup speed circuit and represented Sweden at the highest levels of the sport. His willingness to continue fighting for results earned him admiration throughout the ski racing community and helped fuel the “lonely Swede” reputation that has followed him for much of his career.
So for the 2026-27 season, it’s goodbye “lonely Swede” and “Grüss Gott” Team Austria instead.
