Dominik Paris: The chamois hunter as an outsider

Dominik Paris and Kitzbühel – that is a love affair. He has already made it to the podium 6 times on the Streif, 4 times of which he beamed from the highest podium. Will Ultner succeed in another coup? He spoke about this with s+ in a detailed interview.

A year ago you tore the cruciate ligament in your right knee. Does that make it a special day for you or just like any other?

Dominik Paris: “Oh, actually I didn’t even think about it. I don't waste any more thought on what happened a year ago. For me today is a day like any other. It starts again and it continues.”

How is the knee doing, how are you feeling in shape?

“The knee is fine, everything is fine. The muscles are also okay, I'm very happy with it. When skiing, I don't yet have the absolute confidence I had before the injury. It takes a lot of training and even more trips to regain your old confidence. That takes time, and patience is a thing for a ski racer.”

Dominik Paris sees himself as an outsider. © AFP / JOE KLAMAR

In your comeback races in December, there were no top placings until you narrowly missed the podium in fourth place in Bormio. Are you performing according to plan?

“The plan is always such a thing. Of course, you always hope that things go well. The start of the season in Val d'Isere was good. I was hoping that I could keep up, which worked out somewhat (10th in the downhill, 16th in the super-G). In Val Gardena I was hoping for a better result (12th in the Super-G, 15th in the downhill), but there I usually struggle for some reason. Bormio was then a big step. I was disappointing in the Super-G (18th), but being able to flip the switch like that on the descent gave me a big boost.”

They have only had 6 speed events so far. Are the long breaks between races a blessing or not?

“There is a lack of continuity, clearly. The week in Wengen is a big one for all speed riders. To try things out, to train, to race.”

There are 3 speed races starting tomorrow in Kitzbühel. Do you feel ready to compete for the 5th winning games?

"Let's see. I wasn't particularly quick in the first training session on Wednesday. I hope to take a step forward in training on Thursday.”

“Sport thrives on emotions. And only the fans provide the emotions.” dominik paris Does that mean you don't consider yourself one of the favorites, even though the competition shows you the highest respect?

“I think I’m an underdog this year. The other top drivers are in a good mood, drive stable and have the confidence to really give it their all. I still have to get used to it and get used to improving towards the race. I think that the two departures suit me better. The two training runs will definitely help me a lot. The Super-G is always special. We invested a lot of training time in this discipline, but I feel stronger on the downhill.”

The US team seems to be extremely strong. Your explanation?

“Ryan Cochran-Siegle is currently very relaxed on the skis and he has delivered good results that he can build on. Everything he does is intuitively right. With Cochran-Siegle, his teammates have also taken a step forward. They were fast before, but not consistently. That's fine now. And if you have self-confidence, a team leader and a good atmosphere in the team, then this is the result.”

Kitzbühel 2021 is like a ski club race, without any spectators or fans. How do you feel about the situation?

“It's really stupid and just a shame the way it is this year. Of course we have to be happy to be able to drive at all. Other people can't even go skiing. We are in a privileged position, but sport thrives on emotions. And only the fans provide the emotions. That's why we athletes appreciate being able to do our job in front of so many people. The joy of skiing is one thing, but also the motivation to get faster and better. But that it is also valued for what we do, what we train for and what we live for. “

“It is up to each athlete to push the material to the limit.” dominik paris Every year, just in time for the Kitzbühel races, there is a safety discussion about ski racing. The many injuries that consistently affect top people: Is that just part of the process or is the time too ripe to change something?

“The topic is sensitive. In my opinion it is difficult to change anything. Top work is done on the World Cup slopes, there are always the same conditions for everyone who starts. The material is stretched to the limit. With rule changes, every athlete and every serviceman always finds a new way to adjust the material so that it still becomes dangerous again. And it is up to each athlete to push the material to the limit. Development will continue in skiing, no matter what changes are made.”

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Dominik Paris: The chamois hunter as an outsider

A year ago, Dominik Paris injured his right knee during Super-G training in Jochberg in the run-up to the 2020 Kitzbühel races. After tearing his cruciate ligament, the 31-year-old from Ultimo is ready for the Streif again. He doesn't count himself among the favorites for the three speed races.

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