“The best grip possible”

On January 4th, 2009 at the World Cup competition in Zagreb, Frida Hansdotter competed with painted fingernails left on from the Swedish National Ski Team’s New Year’s celebration. She came in sixth place – her best finish ever. She painted her nails for the next race and again came in sixth.

The winter that followed was Frida’s breakthrough performance on the international level, with a personal best second place finish in Ofterschwang. “Almost all ski racers have good luck rituals to help them,” says Frida, who also likes bright colors. “For Giant Slalom races I wear a pair of pink Hestra gloves.”

Agility and pole grip before protection

However, life is not always so glamorous for Frida Hansdotter’s hands. Her best event is the slalom, where every gate is punched down with the hand. Protection on the poles helps against the worst blows, but many skiers still injure their hands.

This is usually a result of hitting the gates wrong or from striking the ground during a turn or a fall. Frida has fractured her wrist and thumb, as well as suffered an injured knuckle, but still prefers her gloves to be as thin as possible. “Agility is most important to me. That’s why I choose racing gloves with less protection, but the best grip possible.”