Ice in Schladming: Schwarz counters Norway's complainers

Henrik Kristoffersen was already complaining about the icy slope conditions in Schladming after the first run. His compatriots Timon Haugen, Atle Lie McGrath, and Lucas Braathen – who competes for Brazil – also voiced their criticism. This was countered by Marco Schwarz.

28 January 2026

From: cst

“I don’t think you have to complain about every slope,” Marco Schwarz said clearly after Tuesday’s giant slalom in Schladming. His words were likely directed at his Norwegian World Cup colleagues – especially Henrik Kristoffersen.

He had recently clashed with FIS race director Markus Waldner, for which Waldner issued him a warning. This also happened in Schladming. Kristoffersen disagrees with the piste and said: “It’s completely ridiculous. I’ve never raced in a giant slalom in the World Cup where it was so slippery. It’s like driving on ice with summer tires. Simple as that.”

Atle Lie McGrath had little good to say about the conditions in Schladming. © APA / ERWIN SCHERIAU

His compatriot Timon Haugan said: "Skis aren't made for ice skating rinks." And Lucas Braathen said he had never skied on such an icy slope. "It was war from top to bottom," said the Norwegian, who competes for Brazil. His friend Atle Lie McGrath even said: "It was an ice rink and pretty awful."

Austria's Marco Schwarz, on the other hand, said: "Of course it was very icy. But skiing is an outdoor sport. It can happen that a slope is very icy."

Keywords Winter sports Alpine skiing Ski World Cup Schladming