Yann Schrag

About

Yann Schrag grew up in the winter sports resort of Schwarzsee and was already skiing regularly as a child. At the age of six, he joined the Schwarzsee Ski Club and developed a passion for ski racing at an early age. Shortly thereafter, he began achieving his first successes in regional races and, at age eleven, was accepted into the development program of Schneesport Mittelland (SSM).

A special milestone came in 2018: At the Migros Grand Prix Final in Grächen, Switzerland’s largest children’s ski race, Yann finished in an outstanding second place.

However, his path to the national top was not a straight one. As a late bloomer, Yann was physically outmatched by his competitors of the same age for a long time. Especially between the ages of 15 and 18, patience, discipline, and consistent strength training were crucial. Through consistent training—including on the EISENHORN DS—he gradually built up the strength needed to close the gap. By the age of 19, he was once again among the top three U20 giant slalom skiers in Switzerland.

In the winter of 2024/25, Yann had the opportunity to represent Switzerland as one of eight athletes at the Junior World Championships in Tarvisio. Although a costly mistake in his specialty, giant slalom, cost him a top finish, he demonstrated his potential on the international stage by placing 22nd.

With two top-10 finishes in the Nor-Am Cup—including 5th and 8th place—Yann took the next step in his career. In doing so, he prevailed against several established World Cup athletes and proved himself ready for greater challenges. As a reward for his achievements, he made the leap into a Swiss Ski squad and is now a member of the European Cup giant slalom team.

Strength Training as the Key to Success

For Yann, strength training has played a crucial role since his childhood. As early as the age of seven, he was already training regularly on the EISENHORN—a constant that has stayed with him to this day.

In alpine ski racing in particular, explosiveness, core stability, and functional strength are crucial factors for success. The versatile training options offered by the EISENHORN strength station allow Yann to develop these skills efficiently and specifically—regardless of the weather, training location, or season.