The Crown Jewels of Croatian Skiing

The confetti has settled in Rovinj, and the hierarchy of Croatian skiing remains as clear as a crisp alpine morning. Zrinka Ljutić stands tall as the nation's premier female skier, while Filip Zubčić claims the top spot among the men. Amir Ljutić takes home the coaching honor. But while the medals shine, the real drama is brewing in the gyms and on the tracks, far from the podium lights.

Zubčić’s New Weapon

Don't let the recent wedding bells distract you from the war room. Filip Zubčić is already deep in the trenches of his preparation. He describes the next six weeks as "bloody" hard work. He won't touch snow until late July, starting on glaciers before heading to Argentina for altitude training. But the biggest story isn't the schedule; it's the gear. After 13 podiums and three World Cup victories with Atomic, the Croatian star is switching to Nordica skis. A bold move? Or a masterstroke? The upcoming season will be the ultimate test of this technical partnership change.

Rodeš’s Fight for Survival

On the other side of the locker room, Istok Rodeš is facing a different kind of steep slope. He has lost full funding from the Croatian Ski Federation. Yet, he refuses to slide down. "I am adapting and fighting in this situation," Rodeš declares. His plan is gritty: hit the snow for two weeks in early July, take a pause until late August, then begin serious prep. He notes that everything is new for him, except the skis. This isn't just a season; it's a battle for relevance. Can he navigate the financial rough patches and return to form? The mountains are waiting.

COMMENT: zubcic switching to nordica is risky but if anyone can pull it off its him. rodeš though... fighting without full funding is next level respect tbh. hope he makes it back to the top