Sara Hector is one of Sweden’s most accomplished alpine skiers and has been a key member of the national team for well over a decade. An Olympic champion in giant slalom and a consistent presence at the top of the World Cup standings, she continues to compete among the world’s best. Competition at the highest level is tougher than ever, with a new generation of talented skiers constantly pushing the sport forward. Yet Sara’s experience, determination and ability to perform when it matters most remain among her greatest strengths.
“There are three parts to it, really. First of all, the technique, really finding the right lines and angles. Then there’s the physical aspect, being strong and agile. But there is also the mental side; it’s important to be daring. Everything happens very fast. I feel that all three parts work better now than they did in the past,” says Sara.
Alpine ski racing places extreme demands on equipment, and gloves are no exception.
Throughout her career, Sara has been an important part of Hestra’s product development process, regularly testing prototypes and providing valuable feedback from the race course. In giant slalom, the forces are immense, and racers often brush the snow with the uphill hand through the turn, a technique known as dragging knuckles. This creates unique demands on both durability and protection.
Sara knows this from firsthand experience. Known for her aggressive and powerful skiing style, she may even have a special talent when it comes to testing gloves.
"My gloves go through a lot out on the mountain, so I'd say I'm a pretty good test pilot when it comes to durability," Sara says with a laugh.
The GSL Race Comp series is a true example of the close collaboration between Hestra’s design team and Sara. Through extensive testing and continuous feedback, every detail has been refined to find the right balance of protection, durability, grip and comfort. The gloves are available in five-finger, three-finger and mitten versions and are now used by several skiers on the Swedish national team.
Over the years, Sara has worn many different Hestra gloves. She also prefers skiing in mittens, both in giant slalom and slalom.
"You want a soft glove that fits your hand perfectly. For me, fingered gloves are not essential; I prefer skiing in mittens. I’ve raced many times in both the RSL Comp Mitt and the GSL Race Comp Mitt, and I think they work great for competition. You don’t have to freeze before the start, and there’s no need to switch gloves at the last minute because your hands stay warm throughout," says Sara.