Austria's ski men are looking forward to Sölden

While the Carinthian is looking forward to the winter with confidence after a pleasingly good comeback season, the giant slalom team, which was badly hit after Marcel Hirscher's resignation, has done a lot of basic work with a new coaching team. Michael Pircher was in charge of the basic swing changes. After many analyzes and discussions, we now have a common mission statement that everyone adheres to, the trainer reported. “We all speak the same language now.” His expectations for Sölden are not placements, but “that they bring the technique they have developed onto the snow. Because that provides a lot of feedback for further training and the following races.” But Hirscher's former success coach recognized that it was almost more difficult to change the technique of an entire group than to bring one runner to the absolute top. Especially for runners who have been there for a long time. “But if I hadn’t seen light in the tunnel, I wouldn’t have done it.” But Pircher also warned: “It will take time. You can't change everything in one summer. Sölden also comes too early to get to the point.” “It’s about having the speed for the podium again and competing with the best in the world” Roland Leitinger For example, through an experienced runner like Roland Leitinger, who will be 30 next year. “I've actually been there for a while now and have seen a lot of trainers. “I set my standards very high and want to build on the good results,” said the 2017 vice world champion on the one hand. But he wouldn't have too high expectations for Sölden. “But in the medium term I would like to crown the work I have put in with good races. It's about having the speed for the podium again and competing with the world's best." For this reason, the Salzburg native also made a material change (Salomon) for the first time. Corona has also made training a bit more complicated for Austria's ski men after the season was canceled over the summer. “On the other hand, there was a lot of time to come to terms with reality, think about it and tackle things calmly,” said Pircher, looking back, also saw positive things. The goal of achieving consistency in the fast giant slalom turns has therefore made good progress. “But of course it is easier to change a system with young drivers than with those for whom the technology has already become familiar.” Preparation: Puelacher sees Switzerland as having an advantage Men's boss Andreas Puelacher summed up the future overall expectations in giant slalom. “We are on the right track. But we still need another month. And of course we can't expect any podium finishes at the beginning. That would be presumptuous.” The speed drivers are currently having a more difficult time with training after overseas training was canceled due to Covid-19. Zermatt would belong almost exclusively to the Swiss. “No blame, but they have advantages now. We’ll take the crumbs.” The ÖSV men naturally regret the lack of spectators in Sölden and then also in Lech/Zürs. "A pity. But 95 percent of the time you don’t notice the people on the route anyway,” said Leitinger. “But of course the atmosphere at the finish is missing.” Marco Schwarz found the summer “cool” despite Corona; they were actually able to train without any problems. The fact that the many corona checks can now be completed as gargle tests is “much nicer”. We have to accept that there is only one combination in the constantly changing World Cup calendar. “In times like these you have to be happy to be racing at all. “You have to be spontaneous and adapt to short-term changes,” advises the Carinthian. Of course, races aren't quite as nice without spectators. “It really pushes me when I look down at 40.000 fans in Schladming.”

Football

Italy

International leagues

International

Winter sports

Tennis

Other sports

Motorsport

Cycling

Watersports

Events

Favorites

Austria's ski men are looking forward to Sölden

Suggestions

Comments (0)