Lena Dürr is the largest German hope at the World Championships.
Photo: Imago/Matic Klansek
So far, the Alpine season was difficult for the German Ski Association. There are much injuries and with the exception of the slalom the top results are missing. Do you have to screw down your expectations and goals for the World Cup?
We do not change the goal that we want to get a medal for both the women as well as the men and at one of the overarching team events-even if it looks like we want to grab the stars. But of course the disciplines in which we can achieve this goal are much more limited than at the past world championships.
The medal hopes are mainly due to Lena Dürr and Linus Straßer in slalom. Unlike Dürr, Straßer had some problems at the beginning of winter. Would you say that after the last results, he is almost back on the level of the preview when he won in Kitzbühel and Schladming?
At Linus Straßer you tried something with the material at the beginning of the season, but that didn’t work. Then came three failures in a row, you have to put them away. Even if he is very tidy – something like that works on him. Now he has stabilized. It drives at a very high level, but he still doesn’t quite move in this self -confidence with which he drove last year.
Interview
imago/Ulrich Wagner
The German athletes are outsiders at the alpine world championships in Saalbach-Hinterglemm started on Tuesday. Wolfgang MaierSports director of the German Ski Association (DSV), talks about opportunities, goals and hope for a Lucky punch.
In contrast to Linus Straßer, Lena Dürr has already won a single medal at a World Cup. Does that help to stay more relaxed?
I do not believe that. You want to experience it again. Linus said the gams (trophy for the three first places in Kitzbühel, i.e. editor) is a herd animal. If you have one, you want a second and a third. It is no different with medals. The moment counts and not the past.
The team travels to Cortina d’Ampezzo with as many podium places for the World Cup like 2021. And there it won four medals. Are there any parallels?
No. At that time we were nowhere a medal candidate. But in 2021 it was better. We were closer to the top. In the fast disciplines we had several athletes in the start group of the top 30, now it is only one. I assume that the coaches and athletes are aware of the current starting situation and see them as an opportunity.
Especially with major events, outsiders often get medals. Is that the chance of the DSV?
Of course, many nations hope for this Lucky Punch. As long as I am there, I can’t remember that any of us would have won anything completely out of nowhere.
If she doesn’t leave as so often, Emma Aicher would be one who can be trusted with such a Lucky punch.
Yes, that’s right. One of her advantages is that it is so calm and has high resilience. She always tells me that I shouldn’t worry.
Instead of the traditional combination, there is a team combination for the first time at the World Cup. Departure and slalom are contested by two different athletes. What do you think of this format?
The idea is not bad. However, you have to do it differently than the Junior World Cup two years ago. There was a three -hour break between the two rounds. That is too long.
What do you expect from a ski World Cup in Austria, apart from full stands and a good atmosphere?
I had expected that the World Association FIS would bring more innovative requirements into implementation. But the Austrians traditionally succeed in upgrading events. You will surely organize a World Cup of superlatives.