World Cup expert group: Peter Fill predicts the men's downhill

The Castelrotto native cannot compete at the World Championships in Åre due to injury. The downhill and super-G specialist competed in his first World Championships in St. Moritz in 2003 and was later in Bormio (2005), Åre (2007), Val d'Isere (2009), Garmisch-Partenkirchen (2011), Schladming (2013 ) and St. Moritz (2017). In Val d'Isere he won the silver medal in the Super-G, and in Garmisch in 2011 he won the bronze medal in the combination.

Peter Fill about… … the favorites and secret favorites in the men’s downhill: “My favorite is Beat Feuz, my secret favorite is Aksel Lund Svindal. The Norwegian is always strong in Åre, becoming downhill world champion there in 2007 and winning the downhill in 2006 and 2009. At the end of this unique career, another world title would be the crowning achievement. But you also have to take the Austrians Matthias Mayer and Vincent Kriechmayer into account.”

… the chances of the South Tyroleans: “They're in great spirits, but I don't think the snow and the slopes play into Dominik Paris and Christof Innerhofer's hands. It's not icy enough and not punchy enough. But I still hope they’re quick.”

… his best World Cup experience: “When I came second behind Didier Cuche in Val d'Isere in 2009, that was really an extremely difficult race on an extremely difficult slope. Emotionally, Garmisch (bronze in the station wagon, editor's note) somehow wasn't real. My father was seriously ill, I visited him in the intensive care unit, then the World Cup medal was there. It was a strange feeling, a very difficult time personally.”

… strange World Cup experiences: “Definitely at the 2003 World Cup, when I was suddenly in the squad for the slalom. The reason: I drove very well in the slalom in the combination and was placed at short notice. Unfortunately I was eliminated in the first run.”

… the difficulties of a World Cup race: “You need a lot of luck, the weather has to be right, visibility, wind, start number. You have to drive relaxed. All of these components ensure that there are not always, but often, surprises. In almost every race there is someone on the podium that no one else had on the list.”

… his winning tip for the descent: “I’m betting on the American Steven Nyman.”

Football

Italy

International leagues

International

Winter sports

Tennis

Other sports

Motorsport

Cycling

Watersports

Events

Favorites

World Cup expert group: Peter Fill predicts the men's downhill

In our World Cup section, former or injured South Tyrolean ski aces give their tips for the races. We spoke to Peter Fill about the men's downhill Saturday (12.30 p.m.).

Suggestions

Comments (0)