Snowboarder Marcel Schilling Wins Double Silver on the Slopes

An athlete stands on a podium after finishing in second place in a snowboarding competition. His fellow athletes, in third and fourth place, stand with him — Marcel Schilling after winning second place at the Giant Slalom Awards

Zooming past his competitors, and adored by the crowd, Marcel came in second during the Intermediate Giant Slalom final on Tuesday in Melezet, Bardonecchia. He finished with a time of 2:42.510, almost a full five seconds ahead of his nearest competitor. Two days later, he wowed the crowd as he clinched silver again in Intermediate Super G with a time of 1:00.63.

Marcel and his coach Armand Freysinger, have become a dynamic duo. “The story we live is unique, we’re a special pair,” shares Armand.

A man snowboards down a mountain in a competition — Marcel Schilling competes in snowboarding at the Winter Games in Bardonecchia

As the Italian sun melts the fresh snowfall, Marcel and Armand reflect on their time together, having known each other since Marcel was 12, when Armand first attempted to teach Marcel and his family how to snowboard. Marcel speaks 50 words in German, is perceptive when it comes to others’ emotions, and feels especially connected to animals, including his own Malinois dog. “I often translate what he wants to say to others, but he understands me; we understand each other somehow. It took him 160 days to be able to do a toe turn with a snowboard, but once he could do it, it’s done.”

A snowboarder with Down’s Syndrome is embraced by his coach after winning a race. They stand on a snowy mountaintop with supporters and spectators cheering them on in the background — Marcel Schilling with his long-time friend and coach, Armand Freysinger after winning second place

Seeking Joy and Independence

At just three months of age, Marcel had open heart surgery performed on him, in Lucerne, Switzerland, with doctors unsure if he would live past his youth. Now, Marcel works on a farm, where he tends to cows and chickens, carefully cleaning eggs every day. This responsibility not only contributes to farm life but also strengthens his fine motor skills. Living in a shared home near the farm with three other individuals with disabilities, Marcel enjoys a level of independence that gives him purpose. Every day, he commutes to work on his electric scooter, managing his daily tasks with a sense of pride.

Outside of work, sports define Marcel’s life. Whether he’s playing as a goalkeeper in floorball, cycling, or paddling, he thrives on movement and competition. His greatest passion? Snowboarding. “But he is also an absolute fish in the water! He loves to swim!” exclaims Armand.

The Beginning of an Unbreakable Bond

Marcel’s journey with Special Olympics began 18 years ago when he and Armand attended their first National Games in Switzerland. Armand guided him using a “learning by doing” approach, helping Marcel develop his skills and confidence. Armand’s method recognises that traditional teaching often needs to be adapted to meet the individual needs of athletes with intellectual disabilities.

Before achieving a gold medal at the World Games in Schladming in 2017, Marcel finally learned to turn correctly on the leading edge of his board. The key? Armand attached a plush lion toy to the front strap of Marcel’s right boot, reminding him that he should turn. With this simple but effective method, he was finally able to make the turn after 160 days of trying.

A man snowboards down a hill in competition, followed closely by his coach — Marcel Schilling snowboards down with his coach, Armand Freysinger snowboarding close by

Armand has been more than a coach—he has been a guiding motivation in Marcel’s life. “He thinks of me as a second father,” laughs Armand. Marcel spends months at a time with Armand’s family in Valais, training in winter for snowboarding and in summer for biking and swimming.

This relationship has given Marcel a foundation of trust, patience, and encouragement that fuels his passion for his sport. Armand reminisced, “He’s part of the family. He’s known my children since they were babies. Cradled them in his arms.” Armand has also had to learn how to manage his expectations and emotions. “I’ve learned from him. I’ve grown because of him. He’s taught me patience, and to look beyond one path and find others,” reveals Armand.

The Road to Turin

A snowboarding athlete with Down’s Syndrome smiles for a photo with his teammates on a snowy mountain top — Marcel Schilling gearing up for training in Bardonecchia with Team Switzerland’s Snowboarding Team

Marcel’s training is intense—spending weeks at a time training at Aletsch in the Alps, dedicating himself to improving his skills on the slopes. “Routine is important to him, and sometimes, even though he loves to be here at the Games, he needs a moment to breathe, so I suggest that he takes a walk. Similar to how anyone might feel when they’re overwhelmed.”

When Marcel is on the slopes, he’s ecstatic and wants to move with speed, but Armand often reminds him to “go slow at first” to get a better feel for the way down. “He’s doing really well, I’m proud of him, and he is very proud of himself. He loves the sport, the fans, the people. He wishes he could connect more.”

When asked as to what others could do to connect more with Marcel, Armand suggested, “When people are open to him, he can feel that, so he in turn would be open to them. He’ll feel more motivated to share even if he doesn’t have the words, and maybe with understanding and patience, they could connect.”

The fun between the pair is palpable, as a quick snowball fight ensues between Marcel and Armand, before it’s time to rest and recover from the day’s action. Marcel’s story is a true testament to the power of dedication, strong support systems, and the belief that each individual is worthy of their chance to shine.

Snowboarding – Special Olympics World & National Games Results
Event	Lane	Delegation	Gender	Age	Results	Place
Intermediate Super G – 6:45 – 7:15AM	21	SO Switzerland	M	34	1:27.990
Intermediate Giant Slalom Final – 6:30 – 7:15AM	3	SO Switzerland	M	34	01:00.63	2ND
Intermediate Giant Slalom Final – 7:15 – 8AM	1	SO Switzerland	M	34	2:42.510	2ND