For the first time in its history, France is hosting the FIS World Cup Finals, bringing together the season’s top 25 athletes (both men and women) in each discipline.  On this occasion, Longines awarded the Longines Rising Ski Stars prize to American skier Mikaela Shiffrin (Longines Ambassador of Elegance) and Norwegian skier Henrik Kristoffersen, both of whom distinguished themselves as the best female skier (under 21) and the best male skier (under 23), respectively, of the 2014/2015 World Cup season.

As the Official FIS Partner and Timekeeper, Longines celebrated the conclusion of the season by awarding the Longines Rising Ski Stars Prize. This year, the award recognizes the performances of American skier and Longines Ambassador of Elegance Mikaela Shiffrin, and those of Norwegian skier Henrik Kristoffersen. As the best female skier under the age of 21 and the best male skier under the age of 23, respectively, in the FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup circuit, both received a Longines watch, a trophy and a cheque in the amount of CHF 20,000. The award ceremony was held on March 20, at the end of the Nations Team Event.

Longines Ambassador of Elegance Mikaela Shiffrin, winner of the Longines Rising Ski Stars Prize for the third year in a row, had an extraordinary season with notably a second consecutive World Slalom Championship title last month at Vail/Beaver Creek, in her native Colorado. Henrik Kristoffersen was not outdone this season, as he won one Slalom gold medals in Levi, as well as two bronze medals in Slalom at Wengen and in Giant Slalom at Adelboden.

In the same spirit of commitment to young sports talents, the Swiss watchmaker had organized, earlier in the season, the Longines Future Ski Champions race, a one-of-a-kind competition, held on December 20, 2014 in Val d’Isère. For this second edition, the women were showcased, whereas the men had been showcased in 2013. Selected by their respective federations, 13 young skiers under the age of 16 from 13 different countries competed in a giant slalom event. The 2014 champion, Carlotta Saracco from Italy, won a Longines watch and a trophy. The brand also committed itself to supporting her federation in the development of projects aimed at young athletes.