At the start in Gurgl

“Skiing makes me feel very British”

Victoria Palla is allowed to compete in the first three World Cup slaloms.(Bild: Sean Beale)

Victoria Palla gets the chance from the British Ski Association to prove herself in the first three World Cup slaloms. She was unable to take advantage of the opportunity in Levi. On Saturday she will start at her home World Cup in Gurgl. The 23-year-old is not thinking about what it would be like in the Austrian federation.

Last Saturday, skier Victoria Palla competed in the World Cup slalom in Levi - and was eliminated in the first run. She will get her next chance in Gurgl on Saturday. "The anticipation is already really high, lots of friends will be coming," says the 23-year-old in an interview with "Krone". However, anyone who wants to follow her on her run should not look out for an Austrian flag. Palla has been competing for Great Britain since 2017. This is due to her London-born father. Through his ancestors, he has close ties to Zell am See, where he has his second home and his daughter has her home.

In her private life, she sees herself as Austrian, but when she dances through the poles, it's very different: "I feel very British when I'm skiing." Palla sees the fact that the association is much smaller as an opportunity: "It's easier to get a starting place in the World Cup and you have the opportunity to gain experience earlier. And I don't feel under so much pressure, I have my freedom."

Victoria Palla competes for the Zell am See Ski Club and Great Britain.(Bild: Victoria Palla)

She puts the pressure on herself anyway. After Gurgl, she can also take part in the race in Killington (1.12.). If she scores points there, she will also be able to compete in the other World Cup slaloms. "The ski association has sent me an email saying that I will be in the World Cup team if I finish in the top 30 - a great motivation for me," says the Pinzgau native. Palla, who was eliminated from both Levi slaloms last year, is confident: "If I ski like I did in training, a lot is possible. But it's important for me not to think too much about placings. I just have to have fun."

She already has that during the warm-up when she sees stars like Mikaela Shiffrin. "There's always a lot of excitement in the World Cup. You see new people and are easily impressed. But you have to remember that you're doing it for a reason," says the Zell native, trying to stay cool.