So far the season is going badly for Linus Straßer after a change in material. To change that, he trained on his favorite slope over Christmas.
While the World Cup circus was spread across Europe and one or two athletes were able to enjoy the Christmas holidays at home in Italy, Switzerland, Austria or Germany, Linus Straßer trained on the slope he once owned “Schweinsberg” called. On the slope where he trained as a child, on the slope where he celebrated his greatest success to date: on the Ganslernhang in Kitzbühel.
In 2024 he won the “Golden Gams”, the prestigious World Cup slalom in Kitzbühel. When Straßer carved over the steep slopes and over the many hilltops in the past few days, memories must have come back: tens of thousands of cheering spectators, many German flags, his former coach Mario Mittermayer-Weinhandl, who presented him with the trophy. It was probably the biggest day in the career of the Munich native.
Find the right set-up
These memories could inspire the 33-year-old. He needs that, because Straßer is currently still looking for this old form; so far he has only achieved a top ten place in six races this season. He came eighth in the slalom in Gurgl. There are also a 15th and a 17th place, three races in which he was unable to qualify for the second race, and one retirement.
What you shouldn’t forget: Straßer has changed supplier. He started skiing with Head this season after eleven years on Rossignol. Such a change in material also brings with it major changes: new skis, new ski boots, new contact persons, lots of tests, complex adjustment of the equipment.
Straßer satisfied with process
In November, after the start of the World Cup season, he said in an interview with Bayerischer Rundfunk: “I’m still very busy finding the right setup. The process will probably last into the season.” His goal is to get the material under control as quickly as possible “in order to contest the slalom January as successfully as possible”.
A task that continues to accompany him. But despite the unsuccessful appearance in Alta Badia, Italy before Christmas, Straßer said after the race: “Even if it doesn’t look like it, I’ve taken another step forward today”he explained, referring to his new material. The problem, in his opinion, lies in the lack of it “Self-image” with the new equipment. “I’m still missing the last percent that I always push myself to the limit“, the Munich native analyzed his situation.
High-end technician Straßer is waiting for the classics
Straßer said it was just about more “small steps”that he had to go: “That’s where January can come from”. In the most difficult and important slalom races in January, he was often able to exploit his potential, as Straßer has proven in recent years. The steep, demanding slopes of Adelboden, Kitzbühel and Schladming suit the sophisticated technician.
In Kitzbühel, where the slalom elite will compete in a few weeks, where this slalom January culminates, Straßer has been carving towards the new year and thus possibly also the old-new form in the past few days.