Overcoming the crisis: This is how things are looking up again for the ski ladies

What the regional association has recently missed, s+ im The first part of the extensive research into the causes of the ski crisis has already been taken up. However, a lack of results is always the sum of several negative factors, which in their own way negatively affect an athlete's development. So what about the masses in South Tyrol, about the training options and methods, about the will of the athletes, the bravura of the coaches. Skiing is more popular than ever before She is president of the largest ski club in Italy, head of the ski college in Ortisei, has been active in the industry for decades, sits on the board of the VSS and knows what she is talking about: Lidia Bernardi. The “maker” of the Val Gardena ski club has already seen a lot in the male-dominated world. And she says that South Tyrol is currently experiencing a real boom in skiers: “The number of people enrolled has never been so high, either in the ski club or in the sports high school.” The woman from Ortisei counts 128 skiers in her club alone – a record. The same trend can be seen in the rest of South Tyrol. The problem of the number of athletes is now off the table. “Everything was too playful – and now you get the receipt.” Lidia Bernardi The difference to other parts of Italy, where a similar boom can be seen, but the numbers are by no means as high as here, is different. There, professional and goal-oriented work has been exemplified since childhood. According to Bernardi, it's not uncommon for 10- or 12-year-old girls to spend 40 days a summer on the glacier. In South Tyrol this is a long way away. “Everything was too playful – and now you get the receipt,” she says. The beginning of this development was over 10 years ago, and in the last few years people in this country have given in and started training harder again. “Good results can therefore only be expected in a few years, but we are on the right track,” assures Bernardi, referring to extremely successful national U12 and U14 races last winter.

Active in skiing for decades: Lidia Bernardi © Ski Club Val Gardena

In addition, from Bernardi's point of view, there is also a lack of training opportunities for the smaller clubs. South Tyrol's clubs need to pull together and come together to promote skiing in general. She suggested to the regional association that the best athletes should train in a base-like manner in South Tyrol's largest ski centers. At first, however, nothing concrete emerged from this. However, a career outside of the sports high school, like those pursued by Denise Karbon or Karen Putzer, is unthinkable today. Tourism as a big hurdle Karl Heinz Goller has a different opinion. He is the man behind the scenes and is considered a proven expert and connoisseur of the scene who has been following young girls' skiing closely for decades. Goller is convinced that ever-increasing tourism is having a negative impact on competitive sports. “Every year it becomes more difficult for the coaches and clubs to offer the girls high-quality training. “You have to pull yourself out to find an adequate slope and secure it,” emphasizes Goller.

In addition - and Dominik Paris has also emphasized this several times - the man from Val Gardena is convinced that the lack of “free skiing”, i.e. without gates, is harmful to the athletes. However, they shouldn't be blamed, as driving fast on slopes would be irresponsible and dangerous given today's crowds. “I can’t tell them, drive fast. That doesn't work. And if you haven't internalized free skiing into your system, then some premises are missing." The athletes would only strap on their skis during the planned training period. They would have almost no chance of doing this on their connection or on days off. “We depend on the lifts to open.” Karl Heinz Goller Regardless, Goller says that stars like Marta Bassino or Federica Brignone would have done so well in South Tyrol. “You could see at the age of 14 that they had unique talent.” However, he does not deny that regions in Italy where tourists do not take up the majority of the slopes have an advantage. This special year, in which guests are initially absent, is an opportunity, but at the same time also a danger. “We depend on the lifts to open. We can’t transport an entire training group on a snowmobile,” says Nicol and Nadia Delago’s long-time trainer. Simply rent a slope for a few days - like Petra Vlhova did recently on Piz Sella - don't be tempted.

In addition, in the other ski regions in Italy, many ski club trainers do this work full-time. In South Tyrol this is the exception, although this has changed for the better thanks to the restructuring of the state squad. Another reason why the rest of Italy has fled our country.

In conclusion, it can be said that after years of complete stagnation, South Tyrol has applied the right levers and at least created the conditions so that in the future South Tyrolean women will no longer just be competing in the World Cup in a trickle. However, a quick improvement is not yet in sight - let alone a return to the golden era, as it was in the times of Denise Karbon, Manuela Mölgg & Co. “The road is still long,” is the tenor of those responsible.

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Overcoming the crisis: This is how things are looking up again for the ski ladies

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