“Tanguy (Nef)’s first objective today was to reach the medal,” the Swiss coaches said after Levi’s slalom. The contract was more than fulfilled as the Genevan produced the best performance of his career to finish 5th in a spectacular slalom. For the 8th top 10 in the World Cup, he lost only four tenths to dislodge his teammate Loïc Meillard from the podium.
At 27, after three difficult seasons, the slalom skier from the end of the lake is finding his best emotions again. Those that allowed him to be in the top 20 of the best slalom riders on the planet. Tanguy Nef did not look as calm and sharp as he has in recent weeks and this was reflected in his great performance on the Levi Black.
Tanguy Nef, you achieved your best career result in the first race of the season. We couldn’t have hoped for a better start?
We can’t. Levi is a special place. I didn’t think it would do this way, 5th is a nice place. This proves that we worked well. I did well to believe in myself. The preparation was perfect. I knew I had to reproduce what was done in training, I was confident. I managed to do it twice in the same race, which I haven’t necessarily been able to do in the past. It’s nice.
Did something click this summer?
Not necessarily during the summer, it already started last season when I started from the beginning. We laughed about it in Ushuaïa, saying there were 6 of us now. It is already 60% built. At the end of last season in the European Cup, I was starting some good innings and the intensity is exactly what I wanted to work on this summer. I wasn’t the guy who, historically, was often in the lead. But this season, I came every morning to fight from the first round. I got used to the material. In other seasons, I was fast from the fourth or fifth round and then, systematically, I succeeded in the first one. It gave me a lot of confidence, especially when I was skiing in difficult conditions like today.
Success in training is one thing, but racing is another. Have you passed a mental milestone too?
After that, I didn’t reach the World Cup at all. I never doubted that. There were difficult years, but the base was always there. The mind, I know I have it. We discussed it well during the off-season, I didn’t have high expectations for the first races, but the goal was to ski, relax and have fun on the slopes.
Three years we have been waiting for you at this level, again in the top 10. How do you manage these frustrating moments, when you can’t find the solutions?
There is doubt that comes in, but there is also a lot of learning. I am not someone who came immediately like Loïc (Meillard), although we are from the same year, we ran together for a long time. It took me a little longer to learn from my mistakes. I learn them on my own most of the time because I really listen to my instincts. And so doubt is part of this process. The equipment was also there. I now feel free on my skis. The proof is today.
Now what can we expect from you this winter after this more successful first performance?
I will try to keep this line, to be smart in every race. This is Levi, it’s a track I like, in difficult conditions. We’ve seen big names make mistakes. There are competitors that should not be buried just yet, because they are fierce and will come back. Not every race will be the same, but it’s a good foundation to build on.
With this result, you have already met the selection criteria (editor’s note: 7 or two top 15 in a discipline) for the world championship in Saalbach in February.
It’s really not what we think at first. This happened to me a few years ago already. Good, but I think the podium will be necessary for our team to qualify for the slalom at the World Championship. If we are not able to get on the podium, it will be difficult to get a medal, because that is the main objective.
The coaches believe that you, the six athletes in the slalom group, are capable of getting on the podium. Is this your feeling too, that you are no longer far from the box?
On a material level, there is no excuse anymore. On a physical level, it seems fine. After that, it’s the mind that makes the difference. You have to approach every race with a good vision, having done your homework, drawing up a plan and above all executing it. Today I have more control over where I am and the approach to the race. Usually, I felt a little pressure at first. It’s a luxury of mine. Here, Loïc (Meillard) takes all the pressure. But this could change.
You are also often compared to a mad dog. Is this crazy dog still around?
I am no longer the young person who came here to Levi six years ago and told himself it was just “shoot” and go. But is this crazy dog still hiding somewhere? I think so. Will he be able to go out to events? Maybe. At the moment, he is not the person we are looking for and we are keeping him warm. The goal is to build stability: get into the 20s, into the 15s, and then anything can happen.
You also often had conversations with the coaches about the way you work. Did you evolve to take a step towards them or was it the other way around?
I think there was a co-evolution, we had a great discussion. Also, I thank Matteo Joris (editor’s note: head coach of the Swiss slalom team). He has a strong character, just like me. When things went wrong, it was for both sides. There was frustration. But now the preparation went very well, the discussion was constructive. I also saw how the team performed without me last year and I was looking forward to rejoining this group. One of the best summers of my career was in preparation. And it is no coincidence that I am here today, it is thanks to this team that I was also able to achieve this result.
Johan Tacet/LMO, Levi
How has Tanguy Nef’s mindset evolved over the years to improve his slalom racing results?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Tanguy Nef
Time.news Editor: Welcome to our interview, Tanguy! Congratulations on your remarkable performance in Levi’s slalom—fifth place and your best career result! How are you feeling after such a strong start to the season?
Tanguy Nef: Thank you! I feel fantastic. Levi is a unique place for me, and to achieve fifth right out of the gate is a testament to the hard work I’ve put in. I didn’t expect to start the season this way, but it proves that our preparation has been on point, and believing in myself really paid off.
Time.news Editor: You mentioned your confidence leading up to the race. Can you share a bit about how your mindset has changed, especially compared to previous seasons?
Tanguy Nef: Absolutely! Last season was a turning point for me. While I had some tough moments, I started to find my flow by the end of the European Cup. This summer, I focused intensively on my performance from the first round of each race, instead of just relying on being fast later on. The consistency and the tools I’ve developed mentally have been crucial. It’s about coming into every race ready to fight.
Time.news Editor: Over the past three years, you’ve had some frustrating moments where success felt out of reach. How did you deal with that uncertainty and continue to push through?
Tanguy Nef: It was challenging, for sure. Doubt can creep in, but I’ve learned so much from those experiences. Unlike some of my peers who burst onto the scene, my journey involved a lot of learning from my own mistakes. I’ve come to trust my instincts, and that’s enabled me to embrace the challenges rather than shy away from them. The mental aspect is as important as technical skills when you’re on the slopes.
Time.news Editor: With this success in Levi, what can we look forward to from you this winter? How do you see your trajectory shaping up?
Tanguy Nef: I want to maintain this momentum—staying smart, focused, and consistent in every race. It’s just the beginning, and while Levi is a track I love, the conditions can be unpredictable. I need to remain grounded; there are still many fierce competitors out there who are hungry for success. However, this performance lays a solid foundation for the rest of the season.
Time.news Editor: You’ve already met the selection criteria for the World Championship in Saalbach next February. How do you feel about that, and what are your team’s aspirations heading into that event?
Tanguy Nef: It’s a relief, but it’s not the end goal. Making the selection is one thing, but being on the podium is crucial if we want to contend for a medal. That’s the ultimate objective for our team. We need athletes who can be competitive and show up when it counts, and I’m committed to doing just that.
Time.news Editor: The coaches have high expectations for your slalom group, believing that all six of you can reach the podium. Do you feel that same confidence within yourself?
Tanguy Nef: I do. On the technical side, I have all the tools I need, and my physical condition is strong. Now it all comes down to the mental game—approaching each race with strategy and focus. I have to ensure I execute my plan on race day, and if I can do that, I believe the results will speak for themselves.
Time.news Editor: We look forward to seeing you continue to evolve and compete at this level. Best of luck for the rest of the season, Tanguy, and thank you for sharing your insights with us today!
Tanguy Nef: Thank you! I appreciate it and hope to keep making you proud on the slopes this season!