Victoria Palla competed in the World Championship Slalom event in Courchevel, France, in February this year, considering little experience and soft snow conditions, the Briton finished a very respectable 36th position down the Roc de Fer piste.
The opportunity came about after the 22-year-old made her World Cup debut in Flachau, Austria in January.
Palla of Austrian-British dual nationality, opted to join Team GB at a young age and hasn’t looked back, swiftly progressing through the ranks, and now with the 2022/23 season drawn to a close, it could only be expected that she will continue to improve and be a more frequent figure on the world stage.
Speaking on her World Cup debut, Palla said: “I was so nervous, I mean my skiing in Flachau was not really good, but it was a great experience.
“I think the next time I’ll be able to perform and show my best skiing, being part of such an event shows you where you want to be in the future.
“It gives you more motivation to work and to try and get into the top 30 consistently in the World Cup. Compared to a FIS race it’s a totally different world.”
Speaking on the intensity and pressure of the stage, right up there with the pinnacle of ski racing, Palla said: “I was nervous the whole day especially because it was a night event, so I had all day to think about it and it made me go crazy, but it was amazing.
“I’m not happy with my skiing there but I think it was a great experience and I know how to handle the situation for next time.”
In between the race in Flachau and the race in Courchevel, Victoria picked up a minor injury and had to undertake physiotherapy – but used this time wisely to prepare for the games in France: “It’s been good to do the fitness because I was meant to do it over Christmas but I was sick so I couldn’t do anything.”
But Palla came into the event fit and showed some impressive turns despite very rutted up snow starting with a bib number of 53, the bumpy ride didn’t stop her from finishing two clean runs.
Having four girls competing in the women’s slalom with Palla joined by Charlie Guest, Alex Tilley and Reece Bell, as well as another four men skiing in the slalom is a great sign of growth for the GB team.
“I think when you go to the World Championships you want to be good as a team, for sure you want to make the best for yourself also.
“I think for Great Britain it’s a big thing to have so many athletes in alpine skiing, so I was hyped for the team too. I want to always show my best skiing but it’s nice to see the others doing well.”
The experience that Palla and fellow young Team GB star Reece Bell will have gained from competing at such a level and can take into their stride in training and their FIS racing will be a massive boost for their confidence heading into next season.
Words Jack Feneley
Picture Racer Ready at the Tignes British Championships in 2023