Benni Raich in South Tyrol: “Odermatt only cooks with water”

Raich stopped by the glove manufacturer Reusch in Bozen Nord on Tuesday and gave a lecture there. The 45-year-old previously worked at the company's headquarters SportNews Took time. The two-time Olympic champion and three-time world champion and overall World Cup winner (2005/06) was not above answering our questions in detail despite the busy schedule. Just like you know Raich with his down-to-earth manner from television.

SportNews: What connections do you have to South Tyrol, Mr. Raich?

Benni Raich: “I remember being here for the first time in 1993. Back then in St. Vigil i. E. to train. Then of course again and again for the World Cups in Alta Badia or for the Super-G in Val Gardena, which I competed in every now and then. In the summer we often went cycling here. Here I can remember the Sellaronda. And of course I’ve been to South Tyrol several times to go on holiday.” “I have a lot of confidence in him.” Benni Raich about Alex Vinatzer

You were a gifted slalom skier for years: What do you think Alex Vinatzer from Val Gardena can do in the future?

"Very much. Alex once again proved that he can drive extremely fast with the bronze medal at the World Championships in Courchevel. He may have struggled with inconsistency here and there. But he will eradicate that in the future. I have a lot of confidence in him.”

Benni Raich: The Piztaler has won everything in his career. © APA/epa / ALESSANDRO DELLA VALLE

Let's talk briefly about the overall World Cup: Marco Odermatt is the big favorite again. What do you think your compatriot Marco Schwarz can do if he also wants to compete in the speed disciplines in the future?

“Of course Marco Odermatt is the one you have to beat first. But the Odermatt also only boils with water. He is extremely strong and does a lot of things right. You have to watch out for Aleksander Aamodt Kilde again. He has already won the big ball. Marco Schwarz certainly has enormous possibilities. He can go extremely fast in super-G and downhill, as well as in slalom and giant slalom. So I think Marco Schwarz can get involved. It will be important that he gets into a run.” “In my opinion, it is not true that ski racing itself has a major impact on the retreat of glaciers.” Benni Raich

There has been a lot of discussion lately about whether the World Cup season should start in Sölden in October. What do you say about the discussion regarding sustainability?

“People always say to start later. Then the athletes wouldn't travel to New Zealand or South America to train. That would be an argument, but it probably wouldn't happen either. Even if it started a month later, the athletes still want to have proper ski training at some point. This is often difficult here in autumn on the glacier with the fresh snow. That's why, in my opinion, they would still travel into exile. In my opinion, it is not true that ski racing itself has a major impact on the retreat of glaciers. The glacier is receding everywhere, regardless of whether there is a ski lift there or not.”

<a data-caption="Ein Ski-Traumpaar: Benni Raich und die ehemalige Slalom-Seriensiegerin Marlies Schild. Gemeinsam haben sie drei Kinder. © APA/epa / GEORG HOCHMUTH" data-fancybox="inline-181243" target="_image" href="https://s3-images.sportnews.bz/_images/scale/1280x1280/img/2023/11/ein-ski-traumpaar-benni-raich-und-die-ehemalige-slalom-seriensiegerin-marlies-schild-gemeinsam-haben-sie-drei-kinder.jpg"> A dream ski couple: Benni Raich and the former slalom series winner Marlies Schild. They have three children together. © APA/epa / GEORG HOCHMUTH

You are still involved in the World Cup as an ORF expert: Do you sometimes miss being an athlete?

“It has now been 8 years since I ended my career. It was a very, very nice time. But today I don't need that anymore. Although many things have remained the same, a lot has also changed. Especially with social media. As an athlete you have to be careful that you still find peace, because the most important thing as an athlete is still skiing. Finding the focus has definitely become a little more difficult.”

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Benni Raich in South Tyrol: “Odermatt only cooks with water”

Benjamin Raich is one of the greats in the history of the ski circus. The North Tyrolean has won everything there is to win in his career. During his visit to South Tyrol, we took the opportunity to chat in detail with “Benni” about various topics.

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