Light at the end of the German Alpine ski tunnel? After many “horror reports”, there have recently been glimmers of hope in the speed disciplines.
Is there light at the end of the German alpine ski tunnel? In the speed disciplines there were recently many in Val Gardena “horror news” finally little ones again Glimmer of hope.
Everything actually looked like a Black Friday for the German Ski Association (DSV). Once again no points in the Super-G, plus Alexander Schmid’s cruciate ligament tear. The TV broadcast had already left Val Gardena when Luis Vogt was the last German to pass through the start house on the legendary Ciampinoi route.
“Cool on it”: Vogt in the top 20
The 22-year-old from Garmisch was bold and finished in a surprising 16th place, his best World Cup result to date. The astonishment was great, especially among the German team, which had actually pinned its hopes on Simon Jocher with start number 21.
Vogt’s “recipe for success” is as simple as it is effective: “II have to be cool, have fun skiing and don’t do anything special.“On departure the next day, the Vogt”even better” the youngster confirmed his skills with 17th place.
Baumann once again world class
And as if that wasn’t enough joy, old champion Romed Baumann also made it into the top 10, only seven hundredths short of the podium. The last time he managed to do this was exactly a year ago in the same place. “Really cool“That was it, the 38-year-old explained afterwards in the Sportschau interview:”I think that’s good for the whole team.“
Series of cruciate ligament tears hurts the DSV team
The German team has been going through a tough time in the Super-G and Downhill speed disciplines for years. The change will not succeed because there is a lack of young talents who can withstand the high level and pressure in the World Cup. 20-year-old Nickco Palamaras, who was supposed to make his World Cup debut this winter, tore his cruciate ligament shortly before the start of the season.
“Leader” Sander with cell disease: “catastrophe”
Within two months, the technology specialists Alexander Schmid and Sebastian Holzmann suffered the same fate. Former downhill world champion Andreas Sander even has to give up sport completely; the 35-year-old suffers from a serious cellular disease. “After saying goodbye to Ferstl and Dreßen (in spring 2024, editor’s note.) Sander’s failure is a catastrophe for us” said DSV Alpine Director Wolfgang Maier.
Sander is for the team “a leader and role model“, the hopeful young talents are more or less on their own. 25-year-old Jacob Schramm is also missing until at least the turn of the year because he broke his elbow in training.
“A horror story every week”
“There is actually a horror story every week“, explained Alpine head coach Christian Schwaiger in the BR24Sport interview. Luis Vogt and Co. do not have the necessary calm for an orderly start to their careers.
Bormio: Two veterans, two youngsters
The DSV is heading into the last World Cup weekend of the year in Bormio with a core squad of just four riders. In addition to the experienced Baumann (WSV Kiefersfelden) and Jocher, the 22-year-old Vogt (both SC Garmisch) has a colleague of the same age at his side in Maximilian Schwarz (DAV Peißenberg).
Schwarz had made his debut in Val Gardena and, with 56th place in the Super G and 60th place in the downhill, was well away from his first World Cup points.