Alpine skiing – Felix Neureuther before the World Cup in Sölden: “Then it will be dangerous”

In previous years, the season began with discussions about the World Cup calendar. This time there are no major criticisms. Did the world association Fis realize that it was asking athletes to do too many races and travel too much? Or was the pressure from outside too great?

As well as. The activists were united behind the issue. And there were a few serious injuries last year. The Fis has probably realized that it has to look after its athletes. If the program is so massively overloaded, then it becomes dangerous. And if protagonists like the Norwegian Aleksander Aamodt Kilde are no longer able to play, the sport is no longer as interesting for spectators.

Despite many discussions in recent years, the date for the start in Sölden at the end of October has not been changed.

Luckily there was a lot of snow early this time. But I’m still in favor of postponing the start further into November in order to minimize the effort – for the organizer, the athletes, the associations, the ski companies. Now the start at the end of October forces you to go out on the snow early for training and take long journeys. This is a trend that can also be seen among young people. The six and seven year olds are taken to the glacier for training in October. The costs are getting higher and higher. Who can still afford this sport?

Interview

imago/Stefan Schmidbauer

Felix Neureuther was already concerned about skiing when he was active. The 40-year-old, the most successful German male alpine skier with 13 individual victories in the World Cup, criticizes the early start to the season and the resulting immense costs. He welcomes the return of big stars.

Most talked about was the comeback of the Austrian Marcel Hirscher. Why is it such a big deal that a 35-year-old returns?

When the greatest in a sport try again, that’s always an issue. That was once the case with Michael Schumacher’s comeback. Hirscher brings the attention that skiing urgently needs. People debate whether he is in shape or not and how he will perform. That’s good for skiing.

How realistic is it that he will reach top form again after a five-year break and at this very mature age for a competitive athlete?

Physically, he may be in the best shape of his life. But skiing has become so complex that you can’t say that in general terms. So many elements and building blocks have to fit together. The material has taken on an even more crucial importance. This will be a challenge. But if he can do that, he will definitely be able to compete at the highest level again.

What role does the long lack of racing practice play?

A big one. He has to get back into racing mode and be mentally ready at the start. This unconditional will, the body language that you can tell from the second or third goal whether an athlete is ready or not, has to be there again. Marcel used to always excel at that. But I find it difficult to get it back.

Lucas Braathen also returns. The Norwegian, who is now racing for Brazil, is only 24 years old, only took a year off and was previously the best slalom skier in the world. Isn’t his comeback more important in terms of sport?

This is something completely different. He’s a young guy who’s really into it. He skis the same material, doesn’t have to change much, doesn’t have to test so much and can concentrate entirely on skiing. He will definitely raise the level in slalom.

While Braathen still has enough F sharp points to be eligible to start, the world association allows Hirscher to take part in the World Cup thanks to a wildcard rule. Some competitors have criticized this. Do you understand that?

It’s about how we can make skiing more interesting and more contemporary. How we can design it so that even large companies are willing to invest. How we manage to reach more people, especially more children. And when a deer comes back, you meet all of these criteria. That’s why I don’t understand the fuss. You should rather be grateful that he is coming back. Skiing will benefit from this.

They have suggested that more former ski racers should return and even named 68-year-old Ingemar Stenmark. Wouldn’t that turn the World Cup into a show event and the sporting value would suffer as a result?

Sport is entertainment after all. The idea with Ingemar Stenmark is perhaps a bit exaggerated. But Lindsey Vonn has now announced that she also wants to come back. And that would be great. In principle, you have to think about the future of skiing. And with wildcards for Hirscher and Vonn you definitely make him more interesting. Television would not end the broadcast at number 20, but would definitely stay there until number 31. This way you reach the younger generation who can still identify with Hirscher and Vonn.