Dominik Paris dreams of Jannik Sinner

The first swings have been made. Far up, at over 3000 meters, once left, once right. Giant slalom. The outcry of Felix Neureuther, who has recently been campaigning for the glacier races to no longer be held for environmental reasons, has faded away in the mountains of the Ötztal Alps. Not even an echo came back. The criticism of Germany's best skier for a long time would have been better served during his active career. Now it reinforces the impression that someone is using force to keep his popularity simmering. We will experience ski racing in Sölden again next year and probably the year after. As long as the glacier still provides a little ice base and the snow cannons are glowing. Subzero temperatures are no longer necessary to produce the white splendor. New technologies make Ms. Holle superfluous. The only approach that currently calls such a race into question is timing. Because now the Alpines have another four week break. And it is as it has always been. Those who are ahead feel that their training work has been confirmed. Those who lost accept it with composure and explain like a mantra that they still have a few weeks to turn the adjustment screws. The ski industry is thirsty for sales So it was as usual. Good, sporting entertainment in, fortunately, the best weather. Advertising for the Sölden ski resort and a big stage for the winter sports industry, which is thirsting for sales figures after a year of compulsory break due to the pandemic. Every swing in slow motion is welcome. Even in the middle of autumn. Ultimately, the skiing apparatus must and should get steam again, especially through the new president Johan Eliasch. The Swedish-British businessman was recently elected President of the International Ski Federation (FIS) as the successor to Gianfranco Kasper (Switzerland). And the multi-billionaire, who is one of the richest Brits as of 2020, thinks big. Always has. In all its business activities. Most recently, he turned the insolvent company Head NV into one of the most profitable international sporting goods manufacturers. (after his election as FIS President he gave up the chairmanship). In Sölden he explained his ideas and everyone listened. Especially the active ones. He wants to introduce Dominik Paris, the downhill hero from Ulten, to the prize money category of Jannik Sinner from Sexten. The prize money at the US Open is over $55 million. The winner receives 2,5 million. Sinner recently received 48.000 euros for his victory at a relatively small tournament in Antwerp. The total prize money for a complete winter season, however, is a rather modest 8 million euros, although the organizers of Kitzbühel are at least making the first signals. 100.000 euros will each be made available for the winners of both planned downhill runs and for the slalom. It's a start. Jannik Sinner's wise decision to choose tennis Compared to tennis, it's still a poor house. The Pustertal tennis crack Jannik Sinner, who now lives in Monte Carlo, has long since become a millionaire in an incredibly short time. He was once a promising skier and then decided to take up tennis. He has probably never regretted this decision. On the contrary, because like Paris, he doesn't have to risk life and limb on his daring descents in order to constantly replenish his household money. He also doesn't have to spend the whole day in a ski boot that resembles a vice in freezing cold temperatures. Sinner, if you will, hit the jackpot. So now it's Dominik Paris's turn, if Johan Eliasch's words are to be believed. Skiing should be raised to the level of tennis in terms of prize money. Whether this will still work for the 32-year-old Super-G world champion from Are, who has won 19 World Cup races, is more than questionable. It's a nice plan that the new FIS president has, but it's more of a dream than a realistic scenario. Because the big question of who should pay for this is hanging in the air and at the moment everyone involved knows that the financial basis for skiing is not available for this. In addition, the basic structure is completely different compared to tennis. The tennis stars are independent entrepreneurs, while the ski elite are integrated into the tight corset of their associations with, of course, the advantage that the costs for trainers and training, for hotels and much more are borne by the associations. The mostly high-horsepower speedsters also come from sponsors. But fortunately it is only very rarely the great guide of money that brings a great talent to his sport. It is the passion and of course the realization that it is precisely in this sport that one sees the greatest personal prospects of success. And often it is coincidence or simply life's path and personal opportunities that lead to a sport. One ends up with handball because the club in his town is very active. Others play volleyball because their friends hang out there too. Or you can get involved in skiing or tennis through your parents. Jannik Sinner is also an exception in this case because he actually has the talent for two sports. And when he's back home, he can conjure up a few turns in the snow. For yourself, just for joy. The way it should actually be and how it always somehow started.

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Dominik Paris dreams of Jannik Sinner

The ski elite dreams of prize money like it is common in tennis. At least that's what the new FIS President Johan Eliasch has indicated. Of course, our columnist Sigi Heinrich suspects that Dominik Paris will also have to be patient for a long time before he comes to Jannik Sinner's regions.

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