Tessa Worley is a French former World Cup alpine ski racer and non-commissioned officer. She previously competed in all five alpine disciplines and specialised in giant slalom.
Born in Annemasse, in the département of Haute-Savoie, Worley’s father Steve is Australian and her mother Madeleine is French, as such she possesses both French and Australian citizenships. She grew up skiing year-round, in France and New Zealand, and her home ski area is the resort of Le Grand-Bornand.
Worley made her World Cup debut at age 16 in February 2006, and finished in 29th place in a giant slalom in Ofterschwang, Germany. She was fifth in the first race of the 2009 season, a giant slalom in Sölden, Austria, in October 2008. A month later, she gained her first World Cup victory (and first podium) in giant slalom at Aspen, United States.
Early in the 2011 season, Worley won three consecutive giant slalom races before January. In February, she won a gold medal in the team event at the World Championships in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, and was also the bronze medalist in the giant slalom. At the next edition in 2013 at Schladming, Worley won both runs of the giant slalom to claim the world title.
Tessa Worley Achievements
34 World Cup podiums
15 World Cup victories
Double World Champion in giant slalom 2013, 2017
Double World Team Champion 2011, 2017
Winner of the 2017 Giant World Cup
Women Fitness President Ms. Namita Nayyar catches up with Tessa Worley exceptionally talented Double World Champion Alpine Ski Racer, here she talks about her fitness routine, her diet, her beauty secrets and her success story.
Namita Nayyar:
You were born in Annemasse, Haute-Savoie, France. Where do you have your early education? You grew up skiing year-round, in France and New Zealand, and at your home ski area at the resort of Le Grand-Bornand. You made your World Cup debut at age 16 in February 2006. In 2008 at Formigal, Spain you won 3rd place at the Junior World Ski Championships, in the event Giant slalom. This later propelled your career to the height where you have been at the top of the world in the Giant slalom event, in alpine skiing, and won gold medals four times in World Championships. Tell us more about your professional journey of exceptional hard work, tenacity, and endurance.
Tessa Worley:
When I was young I lived in New Zealand and in France. I started living full time in France, Le Grand Bornand at the age of 7. My career began early (16 years old) on the world cup tour. Won my first World cup at 19 years and participated at my first World championship in Val d’Isère also at 19 years.
I’ve always been very passionate about skiing and competing. I love trying everyday to be the best version of myself and that goal has pushed me and motivated me my whole career. I guess that’s why I managed to stay that long at my best level. My injury in 2014 helped me know myself better and I can truly say that I came back even stronger after that with my best season in 2017.
My experience and knowledge helped me on the later part of my career where I still managed to get strong wins and be consistant. Couldn’t fulfil my Olympic dream of medals but became the french flag-bearer in 2022 which was a great honour. And I had the chance to end my career with a last participation in World championships in France in 2023.
Namita Nayyar:
It is a dream for a sportsperson to win a World Championships Gold Medal. In the 41st FIS Alpine World Ski Championships 2011 held from 7th to 20th February in Germany at Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Bavaria, you won gold in the Giant Slalom in a team event. Tell us more about this spectacular achievement of yours.
Tessa Worley:
I won two individual gold medals in 2013 and 2017 and two team event gold medals in 2011 and 2017. Those events were a big highlight in my career because those are one of the most important goals a skier can have. And I managed to be at my best on the D day of that competition. It was also a big achievement to live this experience with a team event because we are most of the time competing as individuals but I loved sharing the performance with all my team too.
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Namita Nayyar:
You are the world-leading Giant slalom Ski Racer, social media personality, and brand ambassador. How do you manage such a remarkable multi-dimensional lifestyle?
Tessa Worley:
I’m really careful about being myself, and authentic on social media and with the brands that support me. My priority has always been the performance and the competitions. So I made sure that training and recovery was the main focus.
Namita Nayyar:
What exercises comprise your fitness regime or workout routine you may wish to share?
Tessa Worley:
It’s very important for me to have healthy knees and back (both injured during my career) so I make sure I always work on my core and leg strength (squats, pilates, yoga are some easy activities to do at home)
Namita Nayyar:
How do you train your abs? One secret to your toned body.
Tessa Worley:
It’s important to work on the deep muscles. So I always make sure I’m pulling my stomach in when I work on abs and work with my breathing.
Namita Nayyar:
Do you take a special diet or have a strict menu that you follow to remain healthy and physically fit?
Tessa Worley:
I like been aware and careful about the quality of what I eat. Mostly to improve my recovery, to have the best energy possible and to avoid viruses. So I’m mostly careful about quality and diversity. I eat a little bit of everything. No strict restrictions.
Namita Nayyar:
Five foods you absolutely love and five you keep to a minimum.
Tessa Worley:
Foods I Love:
Fruits & veggies, eggs, chicken, cheese, chocolate.
Foods I Avoid:
Red meat, fast foods, sodas, sugar, eating to much cheese 🙂
Namita Nayyar:
You have glowing skin and gorgeous hair. Share with us your hair care and skincare routine as skiing in sub-zero temperatures under harsh cold winds needs special care.
Tessa Worley:
I am very careful about using the most natural products for my skin, like oils, shea butter and local made soap. But most importantly I use suncreen (SPF 50+) every single day I’m on the slopes !
I do wash my hair and do mosturizing treatment every two days. Wearing a helmet doesn’t help your hair stay clean and shiny.
Namita Nayyar:
Five athletic leisure brands you love to wear.
Tessa Worley:
Lululemon, Colmar, American vintage, Rossignol
Namita Nayyar:
Five travel destinations on your wish list.
Tessa Worley:
Machu Picchu, Nepal, Tanzania, HawaÏ and New Zealand
Namita Nayyar:
Tell us a day in the life of ‘Tessa Worley’.
Tessa Worley:
These days, (newly retired) I have a movement/yoga routine in the morning, work on my emails and future projects, have a nice outdoor session (mostly MTB or hiking) in the afternoon. I also take time to enjoy time with my family and friends in the evenings.
Namita Nayyar:
During the Covid pandemic what was your fitness routine to remain fit in those challenging times?
Tessa Worley:
During lockdown, we had a facetime meeting almost every morning with the team. Somedays it was for a common work out (core/movement) sometimes just to chat. I was studying nutrition mid day. And had a final cardio workout to finish the day. I also used to cook a lot during that period.
Namita Nayyar:
Quote you live by.
Tessa Worley:
« I never lose. Either I win or I learn » (N. Mandela)
Namita Nayyar:
Your achievements include 34 World Cup podiums, 15 World Cup wins, Double World Champion in giant slalom in 2013, 2017, and Double World Champion by the team in 2011, and 2017 and Winner of the 2017 Giant’s World Cup. What has been the catalyst in your meteoric rise in the sport of giant slalom ski races?
Tessa Worley:
I think I had a pretty progressive progression with-out big setbacks at first. And after my injury in 2013/2014, it took me almost 2 years to get back to my best level. It was a big mental work, letting go my fears, pressure and having more fun and pleasure skiing fast and being performant. Actually keeping it more simple
Namita Nayyar:
While playing professional sports, athletes often face injuries and other difficulties. You secured an eighth World Cup win in the giant slalom at St Moritz on 15 December 2013, before disaster struck three days later. In falling heavily in the slalom in Courchevel (FRA), you tore the anterior cruciate ligament of your right knee and also damaged your meniscus. You spent three long winters working your way back to full fitness and form. You made her long-awaited return in 2016/17 and did so in style, scoring four wins in seven World Cup giant slalom races and two third places to regain your status as the world No. 1 in your discipline. Would you like to share tips on how to cope and make a comeback after an injury?
Tessa Worley:
It was a long comeback because the most difficult part was to get my mental state/competitive state of mind back. It was a lot about mental work. When I got ride of the pressure of the results, the pressure to get back and understood I was fastest when I was enjoying my self, having fun. I also could put more work in and that helped me a lot achieve my best season after that (2016/2017)
Namita Nayyar:
What do you wish to say about the website Womenfitness.net and the message for its visitors?
Tessa Worley:
I really love when women thrive through sport. It shows power and confidence and I really encourage every women to have fun in what ever their passion is.
Namita Nayyar:
Advice and motivational words to the inspiring and budding ski racing girls, who all are your fans and would like to know from you for their climb to the ladder of success in the field of giant slalom skiing.
Tessa Worley:
Always remember why you started skiing. The feeling, the fun ! This is what skiing fast is all about. What ever your path is, this sport will learn you so much about yourself and life, so enjoy the journey !
Namita Nayyar:
You have an impressive Instagram following of 97.2k followers. A message for your ardent admirers.
Tessa Worley:
Thank you all for the support and love ! I’ll try to share my new life off the racing slopes but always close to the mountains as much as possible so stay tuned 😉
Tessa Worley Social Media Presence
Official Website: https://www.tessaworley.net/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tessaworley/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TessaWorley
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100044546044557