Yanqing (dpa) – The German ski racers see their ignorance of the new slopes at the Olympic Winter Games in China. “You shouldn’t drive yourself crazy,” said Romed Baumann.
So far, the alpine aces in Yanqing have only been on the training routes. The first official training on the track, where downhill gold is at stake on Sunday, will be contested by the men on Thursday. Further sessions will follow on Friday and Saturday.
“We saw pictures and videos in advance,” said Baumann’s teammate Andreas Sander. “Here on site we also looked at the slope from the gondola or from the side, but without setting a course.” But three training runs are sufficient, according to the two speed specialists. “In addition, there is an hour or one and a half hour visit. Normally you build up a really good feeling there,” said Baumann. “You learn that at a young age. That’s also part of our sport: not just skiing fast, but also learning to run.” In slalom it is often “even more complicated”.
It was no different at the 2021 World Cup in Cortina d’Ampezzo, says Baumann. “It was new territory for everyone, with the exception of the Italians, and it worked quite well,” said the 36-year-old. The gentlemen also drove on a brand new route in the Dolomites. Baumann took silver in the Super-G, Sander in the downhill.
Sander, who last followed in the World Cup, is impressed by the first impressions in China. “I have a good feeling on the snow,” said the 32-year-old. “I’m quite confident.”