Kevin Holdener (†34) died in February after a long battle with cancer. An emotional documentary film shows the last weeks of Wendy Holdener‘s brother.
The most important thing in brief
- Kevin Holdener died on February 22, 2024 at the age of 34.
- An “SRF DOK” film shows the moving last months of Wendy Holdener’s brother.
- Wendy says: “Without Kevin my career would definitely have been different.”
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Mom Daniela Holdener also has her say in the emotional film and says: “Kevin always looked after Wendy so that nothing happened to her. He always did everything for her.”
The two siblings were already on skis when they were two and a half years old, says their dad. Wendy was even wearing diapers. “She was ambitious and wanted to emulate her brothers.”
Wendy says later in the film: “Kevin always told me that he was probably a better skier than me. I’m probably just the better racing driver.”
Wendy Holdener: “Is it okay that I was just happy?”
Despite the illness, Kevin did not give up his dream of becoming a professional skier. But the cancer never disappeared from his body. “There were maybe two years when things looked good,” says Wendy Holdener, “then offshoots were back again.”
Wendy continued: “Without Kevin my career would definitely have been different. I wanted him to stay in the ski circus and so I asked him if he would like to be my manager.”
“I would say he was her biggest critic,” said dad Martin Holdener. Kevin’s wife Carmen also says: “He thought a lot before he expressed criticism.”
In a recording from the hospital, Kevin Holdener says: “I am fundamentally a positive person. But after twelve years, I’m having trouble living it that way. I’m just tired of the whole thing.”
He was overcome with great joy when he received a video message from Roger Federer. The maestro says: “I hope you stay motivated on this difficult path. I wish you all the best and hopefully see you soon.” This gave him a boost of energy, says Wendy.
In November 2023 she spoke to her doctor and asked how much time Kevin had left. “He told me one to three years. I knew he was getting worse. I wanted to drive for Kevin again,” she says tearfully about a time when she missed races due to injury.
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- Topics: Alpine skiing, Carmen Holdener, Kevin Holden, Wendy Holdener
