The German speed team has been in crisis since the resignations of Thomas Dreßl and Josef Ferstl. There will probably be no German winner in Val Gardena in 2025 either, but Luis Vogt and Felix Rösle at least give a little hope.
Thomas Dreßen in third place in 2019 and Josef Ferstl as winner in 2017 were the last German speed riders to have something to celebrate in Val Gardena. From Thursday, the Alpine Ski World Cup will again be stopping at the Saslong with its infamous camel humps. This year too there is little to suggest a German podium, but a comeback and a youngster give hope.
Used winter for the German speed team
The German speed record for the 2024/25 season was more than sobering. A seventh place by veteran Romed Baumann in Val Gardena was the only top ten placement for the DSV in downhill and super-G. Youngster Luis Vogt also started the season well in Val Gardena, finishing 16th in the Super-G and 17th in the downhill.
After his fall at the World Ski Championships in Saalbach-Hinterglemm, he no longer got into good shape and was no longer able to collect any World Cup points. Simon Jocher made the German speed debacle perfect, but less because of his own performance than because he had to take a break again and again due to heel problems and ultimately ended his season early due to a spinal disc operation.
Vogt returns after injury
At the beginning of December, Jocher returned in Copper Mountain in 20th place in the Super-G, and Romed Baumann also collected his first World Cup points this winter in 22nd place in the Beaver Creek downhill. But you still look in vain for top positions. In Val Gardena there are at least two bright spots for the German team.
Number one: Luis Vogt is back in the World Cup for the first time after injuring his shoulder in a training fall in Chile. “I feel good, my shoulder is doing well,” reports Vogt. The first training session in Val Gardena was the first complete descent for the 23-year-old that he completed after his fall. That was also a challenge, says Vogt. “I was still able to build up a good feeling and am now looking forward to the first race on Thursday.”
He already proved that the route in Val Gardena suits him last season with his top 20 places. Maybe he’ll be able to do that again in his first descent of the season on Thursday.
World Cup debut for Junior World Champion
Hope number two: Felix Rösle, who became junior downhill world champion in February, will make his World Cup debut in Val Gardena. “The descent is very cool, with lots of jumps and waves,” explained the Allgäu native after the first training run on the Saslong. “The track is generally in good condition and I’m really looking forward to the race on Thursday.”
The 20-year-old recently achieved sixth place in the European Cup downhill in Santa Caterina and several top placings in the South American Cup in September. In the first training session on the Saslong on Tuesday, he at least left his teammates Jocher and Vogt behind.
Maximilian Schwarz completes the German squad in Val Gardena. It is the fifth World Cup start for the 22-year-old from DAV Peißenberg.
Source: BR24Sport December 17, 2025 – 4:30 p.m
