Marc Rochat Picture: Peter Gerber Plech
Marc Rochat hopes to compete in his first Olympics. Because the 2025-26 winter approaches, the Lausanne native faces a twin problem — being each a father and a top-level athlete. Psychological energy performs a central position in his method.
From a Nightmare Begin to a Robust End
The 2024–25 season started as a nightmare for Rochat. Between Nov. 17 in Levi and Jan. 8 in Madonna di Campiglio, he failed to complete 4 of 5 World Cup slaloms throughout the first run. In Madonna, at the very least, he reached the end — however his time left him forty fourth, 0.62 seconds wanting qualifying for the second run.
Then got here the turnaround — six straight World Cup slaloms with factors, a World Championship bronze medal within the workforce mixed with Stefan Rogentin, and eventually his first Swiss nationwide title.“It feels good to finish such a tough season with a title,” Rochat informed skinews.ch. “This win means so much to me, even when it’s not a World Cup victory. I’ve discovered so much from this particular season.”
Studying from a Troublesome Season
Throughout Swiss Ski’s annual media week in Stettbach, Rochat defined what he took from that up-and-down winter. Relaxed and smiling behind a “forest” of microphones, the 32-year-old regarded prepared for brand spanking new challenges.“Many individuals informed me to neglect the 2024–25 season,” he mentioned. “I see it in another way. I need to study from it. My profession has by no means been linear, and I’ve all the time discovered from low factors.”
At first of that season, it was tough to show issues round as soon as momentum went the incorrect method. However after fastidiously analyzing all of it, Rochat felt wholesome once more and assured on his skis. “That’s what issues most,” he mentioned.
Working with a Sports activities Psychologist
A key a part of his progress got here from ongoing work with a sports activities psychologist who has supported him for greater than 5 years — even utilizing hypnosis.“He helped me deal with frustration and unfavorable feelings a lot better,” Rochat mentioned.
As a result of he races solely slalom, he lacks the backup of a second self-discipline to rebuild confidence after poor outcomes. “Having only one self-discipline, and that being slalom, is hard,” he mentioned. “Confidence and psychological energy are every part. One mistake can wreck an entire season — there are many examples.”
That’s the reason his psychological work is so important. “With the ability to open up fully to somebody was most likely an important step in my profession,” he mentioned. “I might speak about doubts, fears, and positives. Collectively we tore down a wall that stored me from exhibiting feelings. I needed to attain 25 to study that.”
Now Rochat hopes to cross that data to youthful athletes. “I would like them to grasp how vital psychological work actually is,” he mentioned.
A Summer season of Change — and Motivation
“The summer time of 2025 was completely different,” Rochat mentioned. “I turned a father in Might, and that modified so much.”Athletically, coaching went nicely, highlighted by a robust camp in New Zealand — his first in six or seven years accomplished with out again or knee ache. “That’s vastly motivating. At 32, I’m not the youngest, however I nonetheless must compete with the younger guys.”
In New Zealand he benefited from largely icy circumstances. He already knew he was quick on mushy or salted snow; now he wanted to show it on ice. “The movies and my feeling say the identical factor,” he mentioned. “Now I simply must do it in a race.”
The primary World Cup slalom in Levi on Nov. 16 will present the primary actual check.
Balancing Fatherhood and Racing
Rochat’s son Lupo additionally occupies a lot of his time. Touring to New Zealand was not simple. “He’s rising so quick,” Rochat mentioned. “I miss some moments, however because of FaceTime I can nonetheless comply with alongside.”
His focus, nevertheless, stays intact. “After I’m within the gymnasium, I take into consideration snowboarding quick, not household. After I’m dwelling, I’m a dad, not a skier.”
Eyes on the Olympics — However One Step at a Time
A debut on the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics would fulfill a long-held dream. However Rochat insists it hasn’t modified his summer time coaching.“There are 9 vital World Cup slaloms earlier than the Olympic race,” he mentioned. “There’s no level in speculating now. The analysis comes on the finish of January.”
He stays pleased with his World Championship bronze from Saalbach. “That medal symbolizes our sport. Bringing it dwelling offers which means to all of the work over time. It reveals I didn’t waste my time.”
If he can draw the identical conclusion on the finish of the 2025–26 season, Marc Rochat will as soon as once more have executed many issues proper.
