After the controversial start of the Alpine Ski World Cup in Sölden, Felix Neureuther called for a comprehensive reform of the ski competitions. He sees international and national associations as having a duty to protect the environment and young talent.
The Alpine Ski World Cup began at the weekend. At least for women. In Sölden, the technical specialists threw themselves down the Rettenbachferner Glacier and officially opened the World Cup season. The men were unable to finish their giant slalom a day later. Strong gusts of wind made it impossible to continue the race.
A fitting image, because the International Ski Association FIS, the Sölden ski area and also the national associations are currently facing a strong headwind. Construction work on the remaining glacier in Sölden led to strong criticism in the run-up to the start of the World Cup. There were similar reactions to the dredging work on the glacier in Zermatt. But the early start of the Ski World Cup was not only a thorn in the side of environmental organizations. Numerous ski stars joined the criticism. ARD alpine ski expert Felix Neureuther was, among other things, in BR podcast “Pizza & Fries” has an entire episode dedicated to this topic and emphasizes that a World Cup start in Europe in October does not fit the current situation.
Neureuther: “The FIS bears responsibility”
On Monday, Neureuther spoke up again on his Instagram channel and began with praise for Sölden: “Hello, Sölden for a great racing weekend,” he wrote, before emphasizing that he would continue to stand by his criticism. Climate change, credibility, costs, effort, fair competition, interest among the population, promotion of young talent – Neureuther listed a whole battery of problems that the early start of the World Cup brings with it.
“The FIS has the responsibility to get to the bottom of exactly these questions and to act! But the associations and organizers are also called upon!” writes Neureuther and adds: “But things continue as before and people talk about it from the side of the FIS about globalization of ski racing, which is total nonsense!”
Model Formula 1: Training ban in summer
Instead, Neureuther advocates postponing the start of the World Cup. He argues that construction work on the slopes does not have to start when the temperatures are still summery. In addition, the athletes would have more time to prepare and the public’s interest would be higher since other winter sports also start in the World Cup.
Neureuther’s second demand: ban on pole training in the summer months. Neither athletes nor young people should do pole training on the mountain during this time. He cites Formula 1 as a comparison. In the motorsport racing series, in order to protect costs and the environment and to make competition conditions fairer, there is a testing ban for the cars for large parts of the year.
Neureuther: “Children should jump into the lake in summer”
Neureuther justifies this demand particularly with the work of young talent. Ten-year-olds would train on glaciers in summer months. “Children should jump into the lake in the summer and do other sports and not ski at 3,500 meters,” said the former top athlete. In addition, an “extreme amount” of CO₂ would be saved and athletes would have more time to recover.
Neureuther concludes with an appeal: “I want to achieve one thing: that people out there want to go skiing with a clear conscience. That this sport doesn’t become any more elitist than it already is. But for this to happen, changes are urgently needed, and quickly!”
