The alpine ski legend Felix Neureuther has criticized the controversial slalom race in Alta Badia.
“It starts with the fact that this slope is perfect for hosting a giant event, but the terrain is not at all suitable for an attractive slalom,” the 2005 team world champion raged in “Blick”.
Neureuther is also upset about the date of the race in this year’s World Cup calendar. “A Monday just before Christmas is pretty much the most unsuitable day for a World Cup race,” said the 41-year-old.
He added: “I can understand the anger of the downhill skiers that there are many more slaloms scheduled in the World Cup calendar, also based on this example. If you were to delete this completely unsuitable slalom in Alta Badia without replacing it, you would be taking a first step towards equal opportunities.”
In Alta Badia, Linus Straßer was the best German in 17th place. There was also trouble with the third place in the World Cup.
“With all due respect, but down below, that was high-speed ass shaking,” complained Straßer in “BR”. And that, he realized, “just isn’t my thing, unfortunately.”
Alpine skiing: Linus Straßer sees “step forward” in Alta Badia
In the end, Straßer was 1.33 seconds behind winner Atle Lie McGrath from Norway. He was 0.94 seconds behind a podium place. Instead, Clement Noel from France (+0.30 seconds) and world champion Loic Meillard from Switzerland (+0.39) completed the podium.
But Straßer didn’t want to talk about a wasted day. “Even if it doesn’t look like it,” emphasized the 33-year-old from Munich, “I’ve taken another step forward today.”
Straßer explained that he still lacks “self-image”, which means: “I still lack the last percent that I always push myself to the limit.”