The World Cup kick-off in Sölden takes place in front of 5,000 visitors. The racers look forward to the return of the fans.
It's a shame that Manuel Feller had to celebrate his two World Cup victories in the Corona winter of all places. It is impossible to imagine what show an extroverted and emotional guy like him would have pulled off if he had been celebrated by thousands of fans in the destination. And he would not have faced the ghostly mood that prevailed at the ghost races everywhere last winter. “Once you have experienced when 30,000 people really go out,” says the Tyrolean, “when they celebrate this moment with you. That is exactly what skiing is all about. “
The Alpine Ski World Cup is still a long way from the crowds that were known before Corona, but at least a touch of atmosphere will return in the coming winter – and with it a trace of normality. If the new season opens with two giant slalom runs in a week in Sölden, 5,000 visitors will be admitted per race day.
The athletes long for the fans and the background noise. “I want to finally show my emotions again, I want to scream it out,” says Stephanie Brunner, and the Zillertal woman speaks on behalf of the entire ski family. “It's nicer when there's a bit of a hype. Last year it was really spooky ”, adds Ramona Siebenhofer.
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In fact, quite a few winners at the time seemed downright lost at the finish line. What gestures are appropriate at the moment of success when there is no one to share that moment with?
Inventions such as the Fan Gigameter, which ski lovers could use an app to play cowbells, horns or applause in the orphaned finish area of the Streif, can never replace a euphoric “Aaaaaaah!” Or a disappointed “Oooooooh!” From thousands of fans. “Normally you don't even need to look at the timetable in Sölden,” explains Ramona Siebenhofer. “You can hear whether you were fast or slow. Last year in Sölden I had to look around at the finish line so that I could find the timetable. ”
Ramona Siebenhofer can again prove her skills in front of an audience in Sölden
Your ÖSV colleague Manuel Feller looks back gratefully on the ghost races. “Because we were happy that we were allowed to race at all,” says the 29-year-old Tyrolean. Incidentally, during the journey, Manuel Feller doesn't care what is happening around him. “I don't notice anything, 50,000 can scream. That's why I don't care whether there are zero viewers or a few thousand, ”reports Feller. “It's a shame when you swerve at the finish and simply nothing is going on. We are all looking forward to the fact that it is now different again. “
