His nose is bloody, his back is “pretty bad” – but Josef Ferstl fights his way through. The Kitzbühel winner of 2019 will start after his serious fall in training on the Streif in the downhills on Friday and Sunday in Austria’s ski Mecca.
“Warm up well, clench your teeth, of course I also need painkillers,” said Ferstl after the second training session on a shortened route on Thursday and laughed. In addition to the cut on his nose, he suffered bruises and slight muscle strains, “but it’s manageable”. However, he has severe pain, “especially after getting up”.
It was all the more important for the 33-year-old that he was able to ski the notorious slope, which was slightly changed this year, under racing conditions – although the start was from the Seidlalm due to snowfall. “It’s also good for the head,” he said of the test: “The feeling was good, it was snowing and it was extremely slow – perfect for me to get in.”
In 21st place, he was 1.57 seconds behind the best time of Christof Innerhofer (Italy). The best German in the less meaningful test was Dominik Schwaiger in twelfth place. Andreas Sander, Romed Baumann and Simon Jocher finished 18th, 25th and 28th.
Changed route attracts criticism
As on Wednesday, the defusing of the route also caused discussions. “It’s good to drive,” said Ferstl, who still thinks the intervention is “a shame” because the character of the traverse and the local mountain edge is completely lost”. “Eggs” used to be in demand there – that’s no longer the case.
Baumann agreed, but said the change made sense because of the many falls in the past. However, the goal of reducing the speed for the target jump will not be achieved, Sander added: “Everyone agrees that it will not stop there.”
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