Image: APA / EXPA / JOHANN GRODER
The Alpine Ski World Cup 2021/22 will kick off in four weeks, and after last year's “ghost races”, Sölden is hoping for a full house this time. Despite the rising Covid numbers, the signs are not bad that the ski winter will begin on 23 (women) and 24 (men) October with a large number of spectators on the Rettenbach glacier. After the successful World Cup season, the start of the Olympic winter is particularly promising for Austria's men.
28 podium places with four victories, plus the World Cup gold medals and discipline balls for Vincent Kriechmayr and Marco Schwarz are evidence of the upward trend. Even in the giant slalom they caught up a lot. “Knowing that you are on a successful path certainly makes it more pleasant than having to question the path,” says racing director Andreas Puelacher, describing the positive mood among the ÖSV men. “You go into the next season much more calmly.”
And that could be tough, if the current competition calendar with 18 speed and technology races is finally balanced and fair. Puelacher even sees the chance for the big ball, with Kriechmayr and Matthias Mayer having strong speed drivers and a very good technical driver in the combined world champion Schwarz.
“If someone gets a run in his discipline and then scores in a third, anything is possible,” says Puelacher with conviction. Of course, you can't plan a big sphere. “But when a foreigner weakens, I want an Austrian to be ready.”
Kriechmayr, for example. “He's ticked off a lot with World Cup gold and balls, which is pleasant for him. But he's definitely not running out of goals, he wants to achieve even more,” said Puelacher, referring to the Downhill World Cup or Olympic precious metal.
The Sölden start is closer, and Puelacher is confident there too. Also because you trained twice on the racing slope in advance. “The fact that we have a better starting position in terms of starting numbers alone speaks for a better start. In addition, the boys have put aside the fear of defeat. Now it's about finding the limit and staying healthy. Then I'll make myself up for it No worries in Sölden. “
For Kriechmayr and Mayer, it will be exciting in North America afterwards, as there are two downhill runs in Canada and a total of six speed races in Lake Louise and Beaver Creek. Puelacher hopes that Canada's immigration authorities insist on two corona vaccinations, even though, for example, those who have recovered in this country only need one, should be resolvable via the FIS.
In contrast to some foreign teams, he had no vaccination refusals in his troops, but some of them took the second bite to get through the winter without further vaccination. Puelacher. “Our recommendation is clearly the vaccination. Whether you do it is up to you. But without entry there is no racing.”
Corona is again a big topic in Sölden. This time, however, only the ski teams have to go into “bubbles”, outside of the current status 3G, contact tracing etc. apply. Much depends on the bed capacity and the step-by-step plan. “We have to keep an eye on that, it's a bit like playing the lottery,” says Isidor Grüner, slope manager and member of the Corona task force. “We hope the numbers stay where they are or even go back.”
It has been possible to ski on the Rettenbachferner since September 10th. Ski tourists and spectators should also be able to come to the glacier stadium or the VIP tents during the World Cup races. There are separate gondolas for the racers, and mixing is prevented in the parking lots.
“In any case, we don't want to overdo it overall and drive people to the party tables,” says Grüner, making it clear that the “Gaude” is staying on the more cautious side. In Sölden they have their own step-by-step plan in order to be able to react to current developments. “In the worst case, we can still open the bottom drawer and have the plan from last year in there.”
