Daniela Maier first crouched disappointed in the snow, then leaned irritated and somewhat helplessly against a wall – and after a minute-long and nerve-wracking video proof, she didn’t even want her unexpected bronze medal. “My nerves were on edge. I thought that was unfair“, said the German ski crosser after the biggest and probably most dramatic success of her career.
Minutes of uncertainty
In fourth place, Maier crossed behind the Canadian when Swede Sandra Näslund won the Olympics Marielle Thompson and FannySmith from Switzerland crossed the finish line. But on the video wall, in the wild snow flurry of Zhangjiakou, only gold for Näslund and silver for Thompson confirmed. The rest was”Under Review“, the jury withdrew due to an alleged unfair action Smith the video evidence.
Then salvation: After a few minutes of studying the video, the jury disqualified the third-placed Swiss FannySmith, as she is said to have hindered Maier on the route. “Fanny received a yellow card for her maneuver on the home straight. There is a relatively clear set of rules. If a driver can be assumed to be intentional and another driver slows down significantly, then that is a yellow card“said the sporting director Heli Herdt in the sports show.
The decision initially caused a lack of understanding for Maier: “No, no, that was correct. That was normal ski cross“The 25-year-old was heard to say. The nerves are on edge. Maier doesn’t want the medal. Smith reacted stunned: “It can’t be. It’s a joke.”
Maier: “Fought from the first moment”
In the Sportschau interview, Maier then expressed himself somewhat reluctantly: “Fanny took a bit of speed from me – but that’s ski cross. She may not have seen me, pushes me a bit away, maybe she didn’t want to there either – that’s hard to say. That’s why it’s good that there is a There is a jury that decides neutrally.”
The 25-year-old still couldn’t really grasp her success. In a tear-choked voice she said: “I knew there was a chance and I had to fight. In ski cross you always have to be on your guard and see where there is a gap. I fought from the first moment.”
Race director defends jury decision for Maier
Skicross race director Klaus Waldner explicitly defended the jury’s decision. “In the case in question, the jury is of the opinion that Fanny Smith could have just driven”said the Austrian in the sports show.
But Smith take a big step to the left. “As a result, Dani lost his balance and all of his momentum. This action affected the result as Dani would have passed without the contact.” It’s a tough decision, but it should be fair.
End of career threatened in 2017 – Olympic bronze will follow in 2022
With a little distance, Maier can be happy about the medal. And with it the greatest success of her career. After a knee injury in 2017 and three operations, she already had to think about leaving competitive sports. But the woman from the Black Forest fought back and won her first medal at major events in Beijing. After five podium finishes in the World Cup, she was only in the top 3 for the sixth time. After a ski cross drama happy end.