A sensation in Switzerland: The Swiss Ski Association has published its World Cup squad for the next season and left out two prominent skiers – Ramon Zenhäusler and Urs Kryenbühl.
The restructuring of the squad in the Swiss ski ensemble does not stop at supposedly established forces. With slalom specialist Ramon Zenhäusler and Urs Kryenbühl, two athletes were demoted who already had (partial) successes in the World Cup in the past.
Why the duo was sorted out can only be speculated. One factor could be the currently extremely high level of performance in the Swiss Ski Association.
Five-time World Cup winner and 2018 Olympic champion Zenhauser has had a disappointing season. 25th place in the slalom ranking was a small debacle for the 29-year-old. Not once did he make it onto the podium.
Alpine skiing: bad luck with injuries is Kryenbühl’s undoing
Kryenbühl, who specializes in downhill and super-G, fared even worse.
A little over a year after his horror fall on the Streif in January 2021, which resulted in concussion, a broken collarbone and a cruciate and inner ligament tear in his right knee, the 28-year-old was seriously injured again in Saalbach-Hinterglemm. This time it hit his pelvis, an operation was inevitable.
Recently, Kryenbühl has only belonged to the Swiss B squad. From now on Niels Hintermann and Stefan Rogentin will be part of the World Cup squad in his place and that of Zenhäusler.
In the women’s category, speed expert Joana Hählen was promoted. The 30-year-old also feels most comfortable in the Downhill and Super-G disciplines.