Mediocre results, serious falls and always trouble with the World Association FIS: The mood of German skiers is modest. There are only two podium places in over three months, bursting at the Ski World Cup in Saalbach-Hinterglemm (4.-16.02.2025) of the nodes?
The first World Cup has threatened in 18 years in which the German Alpine team runs empty. To prevent this, the DSV hopes above all for its Stangenwald experts Linus Straßer and Lena Dürr. But for both athletes, the search for their own flow dominated the season so far.
Straßer comes closer to stairs
Straßer missed his start of the season completely, retired twice and once missed the second round. However, he seems to find his qualities from last winter again for the World Cup in Saalbach-Hinterglemm.
The slalom rating of the previous year came close to the podium in four of the last five races as the sixth, fourth, fifth and fourth. In Kitzbühel, only 0.09 seconds were missing on the third -placed Lucas Pinheiro Braathen. “It is also part of becoming almost fifth”said Straßer afterwards, who repeatedly considered the development on the whole: “In the end you can’t force such a podium or a victory.”
So also in Schladming, where Straßer had been in the lead after the first run to miss the podium – this time by 0.10 seconds. Especially at night slalom, he had been able to refuel with two victories in recent years. The fact that this time was not enough he could look at his shape, the “absolutely“Voice, but cope. However:”The World Cup is again a completely different race. 20 people want to win, only three wars medals.“
Lena Dürr fights against the trend
The other way around the season for Lena Dürr. The 33-year-old from SV Germering shone in November and December with four top 5 positions, twice of which Dürr jumped onto the podium. But then the error devil crept in, in the new year Dürr was eliminated in Kransjka Gora and was tenth in Flachau.
Garmisch gives hope of Weidle-Winkelmann
Kira Weidle-Winkelmann is also back in the top 10. The vice world champion in the departure knows what quick skiing feels, but after a mixed start in the Beaver Creek and St. Moritz, they had to fight into the top of the world.
Ninth and eight place last weekend in Garmisch-Partenkirchen “helped to build up self -confidence”. The Starnberger now runs with the clear goal of the World Cup to win another medal.
Vonn wants US Dream team with Shiffrin
This plan also follows US superstar Lindsey Vonn, who gave her much discussed comeback after a five-year break this season and knew how to convince with fourth place in St. Anton. A sensational World Cup medal is “The only goal that is possible”said Vonn in the BR24Sport interview. You could possibly achieve this goal thanks to her US team colleague Mikaela Shiffrin.
The two guarantees of success of the past two decades are supposed to fight for gold in Saalbach in the new team combination format from slalom and departure – at least when it comes to Vonn: “I would like to drive with Mikaela, that would be great and I think it would probably be one of the coolest things.” To do this, Shiffrin has to find on track after her serious abdominal injury, her comeback is planned on Thursday at the Slalom of Coursevel (5 p.m. in the Sportschau-Ticker).
Slalom: Can Emma Aicher surprise?
A World Cup medal would be a miracle for the other German starters. The DSV is extremely weak, especially among men, Alexander Schmid, Sebastian Holzmann and Jacob Schramm have all suffered and failed this winter.
The remaining Luis Vogt (22 years) and Romed Baumann (39) drew attention to themselves in Val Gardena. Precious metal is just as little to be expected from both than from the still inexperienced Emma Aicher at the age of 21. On a good day, the native of Sweden may be surprising, in the slalom Aicher already made it three times this winter into the top 10.
Emma Aicher – A World Cup medal would be a sensation.