Dominik Paris: The Kitz hunger for success is not yet satisfied

In an interview with s+, the 35-year-old talks about...

...15 years of Ski World Cup racing in Kitzbühel: "Kids, how time flies. The Streif is always the same, but still different every time. It's a shame that two years ago they changed the course setting in the Traverse so that it is now easier for all riders to ride. In the past, the wheat was separated from the chaff, in other words, you could ride out the difference. That's no longer possible."

...other changes: "I've changed, I don't celebrate anymore after victories or podium places and I need more rest breaks (laughs). A lot has happened in terms of snow too. The basic preparation is top-notch as always, the Kitzbühelers can do it like no one else. This year it's a bit easier because of the warm temperatures. It will be a bit more unsettled until Saturday, but it will still be very rideable."

...the last victory, which was already 6 years ago: "That's no reason to get nervous. Of course, a win is always the best thing, but I also made it to the podium in 2021 and 2024. That can't be dismissed. You have to get to the point, everything has to be right. In addition, many young drivers are putting on extreme pressure, they have enormous speed and go full throttle. But maybe I can pull it off perfectly again."

Dominik Paris is showing an upward trend. © APA / EXPA/JOHANN GRODER

...the top stars (including Kilde, Sarrazin, Hintermann) who are missing: "The fact that they are not here doesn't make it any easier. The Swiss are extremely strong and have celebrated four double victories in the four downhill races so far. Odermatt has never won here, he is extremely hot. If he gets a normal ride, he is almost unbeatable. He is now one of the fastest on the flat, too, as seen in Wengen. Nevertheless, I know that I can also ride very fast."

...the outstanding Swiss speed team: "They have tremendous qualities, hats off to them. The Swiss Ski Association's youth work is working well, that's obvious. And they have incredible drive, they're so fired up at the start. They have a top base, they really want to get to the top."

...a resemblance between Franjo von Allmen and the formerly young Dominik Paris: "I wouldn't say that. Von Allmen reminds me more of the young Beat Feuz. He was also extremely brave and fast back then, but made mistakes before he became technically very stable. Von Allmen is well on his way there. He lets the skis go and lets it go."

One of the up-and-comers: Franjo von Allmen © APA/afp / JOE KLAMAR

...the unsuccessful start to the season: "It was strange. I was able to train well in the summer and fall, but the material tests didn't go ideally. That has been bothering me for a few years. The fact that things didn't go as planned in Beaver Creek and Val Gardena with the special conditions was no big deal for me. Then I fell in Bormio and that set me back a long way. There was a small glimmer of hope in the Super-G, but it was more than a curse."

...the analysis of these botched races: "I started the season to win races, of course. And then I get one slap in the face after another. After Bormio, I was very unsettled. It was really hard for me and I questioned a lot of things. Also because I couldn't understand it. In Bormio, I felt that I was just trying to get to the finish line. There was no sign of an aggressive skiing style. Skiing like that is absolutely no fun."

...the turning point: "We trained really well over New Year in Ulten and then for another 3 days in Reinswald. That gave us more confidence and we also tweaked the equipment in a few places. Mattia Casse is an important reference point for me. He is extremely fast and skis exceptionally well. It's just a shame that he doesn't get it right in every race. But it was long overdue that he won his first World Cup race in Val Gardena."

...the discussions about safety and material adjustments: "I don't want to talk much about the airbag because there are still too many inconsistencies. And the carbon protectors aren't an issue for me either. I've never tried them and I never will. I learned to ski my way and I want to keep it that way."

...about a possible tightening of the rules: "We already have a lot of them. The more there are, the more cheating there is. Of course, safety is an important factor, but it is still the skier himself who decides what happens. Blaming the FIS, the slope or anyone else for a fall or injury is wrong. Every skier must know what risk he is taking. That is everyone's personal decision and must be learned. Everyone must gain their own experience and sometimes slow down. When I skied down here in 2011, it was so icy and bumpy that I thought it would knock my teeth out. I had to learn to adapt and slow down. Ski racing is very risky. But regulating everything is not the solution." "Every driver must know what risk he is taking. Shifting the responsibility onto others is wrong." dominik paris ...Cyprien Sarrazin's head injury: "Of course, that's really bad. A knee injury is bad too, but this recovery has an expiration date, despite how long it takes. But it's a different story in your head. When something like that happens, you have to investigate it down to the last detail. With the key question: is it possible to avoid something like that?"

...the opportunity to become actively involved in security issues after your career: "I see that as very difficult, not to say highly unlikely. Ultimately, it's too political. One person can't change anything; everyone has their own opinion and point of view. I see it as extremely difficult to get it through."

...the time that Domme Paris will still come to Kitzbühel as an active athlete: "That's a good question, but I don't know the answer. The plan is to continue until the 2026 Olympics. That's the big goal. What happens after that remains to be seen."

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Dominik Paris: The Kitz hunger for success is not yet satisfied

When Dominik Paris first skied down the Streif in Kitzbühel in 2010, Marco Odermatt, at 12 years old, was still a long way from competing in the World Cup. In these 15 years, the Ski World Cup has changed enormously - just like Domme Paris.

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