Dominik Paris speaks plainly: “It was totally miserable”

Anyone who has already written off Dominik Paris after his disappointing results in December should beware. Domme is hot for the streak. His goal: to expand the chamois collection.

Dominik Paris, what was your first impression of Streif training?

Dominik Paris: “The piste presented itself perfectly: very quiet, very grippy, you could pull the ski extremely well through the curves, the grip was perfect. I have rarely experienced something like that here. The organizers have created a brilliant slope.”

The snowfall on the last two days will probably make the conditions for the descents different, right?

“It will definitely be more difficult and also slower. But the humidity will make it even smoother and, above all, more unsettled.”

Kitzbühel is one of Domme Paris’ favorite routes. © APA / HANS KLAUS TECHT

Does this increase or decrease the pool of contenders? "Difficult to say. Those who put in a top run will undoubtedly stand further away from the rest than was the case in the first training session. Especially since with this course everything is done to look at the weaker drivers instead of driving the absolute world class to top performance.”

What do you mean?

“The first time I drove down here I was really scared. I was more than 1 seconds behind, it took me so much effort, especially in front of the mousetrap. Now the main focus is to ensure that the weaker ones also come down. That's why we defuse, defuse, defuse. But I have given up talking to the FIS men about this.”

“If it foxes, then it foxes.” dominik paris

How do you rate your chances in the two runs? “They definitely exist. Everything has to fit from top to bottom. There are 2 or 3 drivers who are in a brutally good mood. And to beat them or get close to them, you need an almost perfect drive.”

You have had a very difficult month of December. Placements like 32, 40 and 42 have never occurred in your career. A sporting nightmare?

“Not only was it difficult, it was completely miserable. In Sölden I got off to a good start in the giant slalom, in Lake Louise I was doing well until half way through, then I lost my connection. From then on the worm was in. I had a really hard time in Beaver Creek with 3 different snow conditions in 3 days. That really unsettled me. In Val Gardena I was sick, plus I made avoidable driving mistakes. But the fact that I still only finished 40th and 42nd really hit me hard. If it foxes, then it foxes.”

Powerhouse Dominik Paris. © GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / TOM PENNINGTON

You didn't really hit the curve on your favorite route in Bormio, did you?

"Correct. I didn't know whether I should attack or just head into the valley. I was totally out of control, had no balance, nothing was right technically, I was no longer centered on the ski.”

How did you quickly turn the switch, as was seen in Wengen?

“After Bormio I left the skis in the basement for a week. Instead, I did a hard conditioning program and tried to clear my head and find balance again in terms of fitness. Coach Mattias Schnitzer put together a program for me in which we tried to bring everything back into harmony from the habitual position. Then I trained on skis for two days in Ulten and made some changes to the ski boots. Since then things have been looking up again, as was shown in Wengen. The good feeling was back, I achieved good section times, and a lot of things came easily again. I made two mistakes on the descent, but I was quick again and the handling was also good.” “I’m not yet where others are who play with the limit.” dominik paris That means?

“Hopefully I have turned the corner. But I'm not quite there yet where others are who play with the limit. I still have to explore and explore my limits. This can not be done overnight. That’s why careless mistakes happen to me that don’t happen when you’re at your best and intuitively do most of the things right.”

What was it like dealing with the media during the difficult sporting times?

“I didn't talk to anyone. What else was I supposed to say? Everyone saw that I was convulsing. What should I have justified myself for? That would have been out of place. What should I have said? Excuses aren't my thing, I just don't look for them. I am the pilot, I make the decisions on the runway, no one else.”

Does your family give you strength?

"Sure always! The older son Niko (he is 4) now notices and says, 'Tata, it was red when you crossed the finish line'. The smaller Lio (he's 2) doesn't care. I am for the Tata boys, not the racing driver. I can switch off very well with my partner Krissie and the children.” “Let’s see how long it lasts.” dominik paris

With Beat Feuz, Mauro Caviezel, Matthias Mayr and, last year, Kjetil Jansrud, several top drivers resigned within a very short period of time. Is the Speed World Cup running out of guys?

“The guys leave, but new ones come along. Marco Odermatt is a great guy for the World Cup. He's an easy going bird, an excellent skier. Aleksander Aamodt Kilde always has a positive attitude and is a powerhouse. Hopefully others will follow suit.”

You have a long-cherished sporting dream: to win the downhill ball. Now Feuz is gone and there are two new, very strong competitors in Odermatt and Kilde. Will this ball remain a dream?

“If it's not meant to be, it won't be meant to be. Let's see how long it lasts. Maybe there will be a surprise at some point. I still think I can have a few good years. The only thing that is certain is that there won’t be anything with the downhill ball this year, I already know that (laughs).”

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Dominik Paris speaks plainly: “It was totally miserable”

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