World Cup Athletes Sign New Equipment Deals For 2018/19

Along with team selections, coaching changes, and retirement announcements, spring in the sport of alpine ski racing is also a critical time for athletes to finalize their equipment contracts for the upcoming year. While many athletes extend pre-existing contracts with their longtime brands, some choose to test and then change their sponsorship agreements for the equipment they will use in the coming competition season.

The following athletes have announced that they will switch to a new manufacturer for the 2018/19 season.

Austrian speed veteran Max Franz, who collected three podium finishes last season to add to his 2017 World Championships bronze medal, announced that he will compete on Fischer equipment in 2018/19 after 15 years on Atomic. "With an Austrian product under my feet and a strong partner such as Vinc Kriechmayr in the team, I am confident that I will be able to ski for top places in the upcoming season. The goal is clearly to win a medal at the World Championships in Åre," Franz said of his move to Fischer.

Dustin Cook, the 2015 World Championships silver medallist from Canada, will trade in his Head skis after eight years on the brand and use Stöckli equipment heading into the 2019 World Championships season. The World Cup winner and podium finisher missed the entire 2015/16 season due to a serious knee injury but has been working his way back up to the top ranks since his return.

Two-time World Cup podium finisher Laurenne Ross of the U.S. has also signed with Stöckli after a five-year run on Völkl. The speed specialist spent 2017/18 on the return from injury and skied to a season-best eighth-place finish in the Val d'Isere super-G.

British slalom skier Dave Ryding will aim for his career-first World Cup win next season on Dynastar skis, the manufacturer he previously skied on, after five years on Fischer. Ryding finished out the 2017/18 winter ranked 11th in the world in slalom with a season-best fourth-place finish in the Oslo city event. He signed a two-year contract with Dynastar skis, Lange boots, and Look bindings. "Dynastar was the ski I grew up racing on when I was young and into my mid-20s. I have so many fond memories of skiing and racing on Dynastar," remarked Ryding. "I feel extremely excited to be rejoining the brand and look forward to giving my all to help the brand succeed!"

The 2013 Moscow city event winner Lena Duerr of Germany will ski on Head next season after four years with Völkl. The slalom specialist secured three top-10 World Cup results last season and has demonstrated podium potential in recent city events.

Following a career-best fifth-place finish in the Val d'Isere super-G last season, Swiss speed specialist Joana Haehlen will leave behind her Völkl skis for a new equipment deal with Atomic.

German slalom specialist Marina Wallner, who collected three top-10 World Cup finishes last season, has made the move from Fischer to Atomic.

Giant slalom specialist Gino Caviezel of Switzerland excitedly announced his move to Dynastar from Head. "I am convinced that I will make a big step forward with Dynastar. I immediately felt well with the skis and the Dynastar Team," said Caviezel. He is currently ranked 26th in the world in giant slalom.

Attacking Viking Bjoerner Neteland of Norway, 17th in the Beaver Creek giant slalom last season, joins the Fischer family from Head.

Additional announcements will be added as they become available