If the German team was last good for alpine skiing medals, then in the team competition. Again the Germans go into the parallel event with chances of success.
At Ski World Championships there is one competition in which Germany is always named as one of the favorites for gold: the team competition. At the first in 2005, the DSV ski racers around sports show experts Felix Neureuther and Martina Ertl-Renz surprisingly secured gold.
Since then, further medal runs have been achieved, most recently the team around Linus Straßer, Lena Dürr, Emma Aicher and Alexander Schmid celebrated bronze at the 2021 World Championships – and silver at the 2022 Olympics in Beijing. This time too, Germany’s alpine skiing aces want to get involved in the medal fight in the decision on Tuesday (from the sports show live ticker with videos) – together they are always strong. It could be the first medal at the Alpine Ski World Championships 2023 for the DSV.
Olympic silver cast could compete again
The fact that the team competition has changed has helped the Germans with their recent successes. In 2005 it consisted of the two disciplines Super-G and Slalom. In the meantime, however, the medal decision is made solely in the parallel slalom – and Dürr and Straßer, both of whom have already won a World Cup there, are proven experts in the fight woman against woman and man against man.
“I’ve driven many, many team events. I know exactly what is important,” Dürr told sportschau.de: “We all give each other tips. Linus (Straßer, editor’s note) is also incredibly strong in team events. Alex (Alexander Schmid, editor’s note) anyway. We have a really good team at the start. We’re trying to push each other and I hope I can make a huge contribution to that.”
Dürr: “Team Germany is always hot for it”
A year ago in Beijing only the Austrian team was too strong for Dürr, Aicher, Straßer, Julian Rauchfuss and Schmid. Norway, which triumphed in Cortina d’Ampezzo in 2021, finished third. These teams should be good for top positions again this time.
A well-rehearsed team could be an advantage in the close competitions. Because there isn’t too much opportunity to get to know each other: “There are only a few races a year where we have the opportunity to drive together as a team,” explained Dürr and was full of anticipation: “Team Germany is always eager for it. It’s It’s good to see the team coming together. It’s something special and we’re really looking forward to it.”
Successful dress rehearsal for the German team
In any case, the signs are correct. Because the German team also grabbed a podium place during the dress rehearsal. A year ago, the teams held a team competition on the Roc de Fer in Méribel. At that time, the podium was divided up: Switzerland ahead of Austria and Germany.