The DSV team has to settle for fourth place in the team competition in the World Cup final. Only six nations started. Victory went to Norway.
The DSV team missed a podium place at the World Cup final. Linus Straßer, Lena Dürr, Andreas Sander and Jessica Hilzinger finished fourth. Norway clinched victory in a final tied on points against Switzerland. Timon Haugan’s team delivered the better times.
In the small final against Austria, Germany could not prevail. Entering the race as a favourite, she was unable to do justice to this role. The loss of points by Linus Straßer and Lena Dürr came as a particular surprise. In the end it was a clear 4:0 for Austria.
Only six nations compete in the team competition
It was a severely decimated field that started at the World Cup final. Only six nations, including Andorra, sent a team into the race, so Austria and Switzerland advanced to the semi-finals without opponents.
Canada, USA or Sweden did not send a team into the race. “These are big nations, they really have to be at the start”said sports show expert Felix Neureuther. “If the athletes aren’t ready to take part, then the competition isn’t attractive enough and you have to think about it.”
Andreas Sander: A speed driver in the tight corners
This at least increased the chances of a podium for the DSV. Already in the quarterfinals it became clear where the weak point of this German team is: Andreas Sander is a speed specialist. The tight curves from the giant slalom are not particularly for him. All the more difficult for him that with Italy a real chunk was waiting in the quarter-finals.
He didn’t win against Filippo Della Vite, Sander was more than 0.77 seconds behind his opponent. But Sander was caught by his teammates: Dürr prevailed against Marta Bassino, Jessica Hilziger finished just ahead of Federica Brignone and Linus Straßer didn’t miss a beat against junior world champion Corrado Barbera.
Three hundredths mean the semi-final defeat
But it became clear: the others in the team can’t afford to make any mistakes. At least almost. Because in the semi-final against Switzerland, Dürr started weak against Camille Rast and had to catch up – which she managed to do just before the finish. Seven hundredths the lead. As expected, Sander lost his duel against Livio Simonet.
It was the three hundredths that Jessica Hilzinger finished behind Andrea Ellenberger that ultimately meant the end of the final. Because Linus Straßer won his race against Semyel Bissig and was able to equalize on points, but was too slow to win the jump-off. “In the end I’ll take it on my cap”said Straßer because of the mistake in the sports show interview.
Sanders season over – Straßer is looking for the first win
The season is over for Sander, who took third place in the downhill at the World Cup final. Straßer and Dürr are still in action in the slalom at the weekend. Straßer wants to get the first World Cup victory of the season on Sunday. Dürr had already done that in Spindlermühle in the Czech Republic. “It was fun, we’re looking forward to the final sprint”said Durr.