Alpine Pulse – Will the world's best technicians add more Olympic medals in Week 2?

Feb 13, 2026·Alpine Skiing

Alpine Pulse - Sara Hector (SWE), Wendy Holdener (SUI) and Clément Noël (FRA)

As the spotlight intensifies heading into week two of the Olympic Winter Games, the question buzzing around the Alpine skiing community is clear: Will the sport’s greatest technicians add more Olympic medals to their careers?
In the latest trio of Alpine Pulse episodes, listeners get rare, intimate access to the mindsets, motivations, and personal stories of three Olympic champions poised to shape the medal race: Clément Noël (FRA/Dynastar), Sara Hector (SWE/Head), and Wendy Holdener (SUI/Head).

Hosted by the ever-engaging Nick Fellows, these conversations peel back the layers of three of the sport’s most compelling figures — each with their own unique journey to the top, and each entering the Games with unfinished business.

Wendy Holdener: Lessons in courage from Unteriberg to Olympic Gold

Swiss star Wendy Holdener has long been revered as one of alpine skiing’s most complete and resilient athletes. In her episode, she takes listeners back to her childhood in the village of Unteriberg, where chasing her older brothers ignited the courage and competitive spark that would eventually carry her to Olympic and World Championship glory.

In one of the most touching segments of the series, Holdener’s brother Steve Holdener joins in with questions that shed new light on the family support system behind her success. Wendy opens up about the emotional highs and lows behind her long-awaited first World Cup slalom victory, the camaraderie within the Swiss team, and the inner drive that has kept her pushing forward through heartbreaks, injuries, and relentless expectations.

The episode offers a warm, honest portrait of a champion who continues to evolve — and who remains deeply connected to her roots.

Sara Hector: Patient persistence in pursuit of greatness

Fresh off a giant slalom victory in Špindlerův Mlýn and heading into the Games with momentum, Sweden’s Sara Hector brings listeners into the quiet but formidable mindset that has defined her career.

Hector reflects on her path from an enthusiastic ski-loving child in Sandviken to becoming the reigning Olympic GS champion, revisiting the unforgettable day that changed everything four years ago. The conversation dives into the years of injuries, doubt, and rebuilding that preceded her breakthrough — and the belief system that kept her striving, step by patient step.

Beyond racing, Hector offers candid reflections on mental health, leadership within the Swedish team, and the influences of icons like Mikaela Shiffrin. Listeners also get a window into her off-slope life: her love for sailing, DIY projects, and her meaningful work supporting ALS research.

Inspirational and grounded, Hector’s episode is a masterclass in resilience and long-term vision.

Clément Noël: The calm pursuit of Slalom excellence

Few athletes embody technical purity in slalom quite like Clément Noël — and his Alpine Pulse episode captures exactly why. Known for his serene, precise approach, Noël shares how his upbringing in the Vosges mountains and later move to Val d’Isère shaped both his racing identity and personal philosophy.

Reserved by nature yet driven by an inner fire, Noël opens up about the solitude of chasing excellence far from home, the discipline behind his trademark calm, and the heartbreaks that have sharpened his resolve. He revisits the emotions behind his Olympic triumph and offers perspective on his quest to regain consistency at the sport’s highest level.

With the men’s Olympic slalom approaching — one of the most unpredictable and pressure-filled events in the Games — Noël’s reflections feel especially timely. His ability to stay composed when margins are razor-thin may once again define the outcome.

Listen now — and get ready for more Alpine drama

Whether you’re following the Olympic races minute by minute or simply love hearing the human stories behind elite sport, this latest Alpine Pulse series is a must‑listen.

These three champions — each so different, yet united by precision, passion, and perseverance — offer an inspiring preview of what may be one of the most thrilling weeks of Olympic alpine skiing yet.

Where to listen and watch

All episodes are available on:

With new episodes released every week, Alpine Pulse – Unplugged continues to grow as FIS’s key editorial platform dedicated to the deeper stories of Alpine Skiing.

Alpine Pulse is a FIS Originals production by FIS - International Ski and Snowboard Federation in cooperation with Maniac Studios.