Didier Cuche – The Swiss skiing legend from the Neuchâtel Jura has written himself into the history books of alpine ski racing with his irrepressible will, his focus on detail and his five victories in the legendary Hahnenkamm downhill race in Kitzbühel.
The career of this exceptional athlete was anything but linear, on the contrary. Didier Cuche’s career was characterized by many successes and records, but also a few hard setbacks and injuries. Thanks to his will, his high level of self-motivation and his belief in success, he came back stronger and stronger after injury and rehabilitation breaks. The last phase of his career as a professional athlete was also his most successful.
Since his retirement, Didier Cuche has been passing on his experiences and lessons learned to a wide variety of target groups in many different ways. Be it as a committed promoter of young talent or as a speaker and guest speaker for companies and organizations.
Didier Cuche lecture topics
Didier sheds light on his career from various angles. He shares his experiences and topics such as
- Dealing with success and failure
- Resilience and motivation: setbacks as an opportunity
- Individual versus team athletes
- The importance of equipment in ski racing
- The career afterwards: Retirement and what comes next?
Didier Cuche will be giving exciting keynote speeches and is looking forward to answering questions from the audience in a Q&A session after the keynote.
Who is Didier Cuche?
Didier Cuche grew up in Le Pâquier, Switzerland. After completing an apprenticeship as a butcher, he has been active as a professional on the ski circuit since 1993. He specialized in downhill, super-G and giant slalom and was among the world’s best in these disciplines for several years.
Didier Cuche competed in 369 World Cup races, achieved 67 podium places and won 21 races, including 5 unforgettable downhill victories on the Streif in Kitzbühel, where he is still the sole record holder today.
His greatest successes also include the silver medal at the 1998 Olympic Games in Nagano, the gold medal in the super-G and the silver medal in the downhill at the 2009 World Championships in Val d’Isère, the silver medal at the World Championships in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
Didier Cuche has won a crystal globe 6 times: 4 times in the downhill, 1 time in the super-G and 1 time in the giant slalom. He was also voted Swiss Sportsman of the Year in 2009 and 2011 and Swiss of the Year in 2011.
Even after the end of his active career in 2012, Didier Cuche has not lost his passion for skiing. He is regularly on the slopes with partners or former colleagues.
Cuche has successfully managed the transition into the new phase of his life and is now active as a brand ambassador as well as a coach and advisor in the area of junior skiing. He is also involved as President of the Giron Jurassien (youth organization) and a member of the Passion Schneesport foundation board (supporting talented young skiers).
Post-career activities:
- Brand ambassador for various companies/brands
- Speaker and guest speaker
- Special events in snow sports
- Involvement as President of Giron Jurassien (organization promoting young talent in snow sports)
- Foundation board member and ambassador for the “Passion Snowsports Foundation” (focus on supporting talent)