Difficult times for South Tyrol's speed aces

The Ski World Cup is moving from North America to Europe. A technology weekend is on the program in Val d'Isere (men) and Sestriere (women). This gives the South Tyrolean speed aces time for training and that's good - because the trip overseas was one to forget for most of them.

Dominik Paris and Christof Innerhofer, the two figureheads among the speed men, got off to a bad start in the new World Cup season. None were able to achieve a top 15 spot in North America. The Ultner Paris returned to Europe with 24, Innerhofer with 20 World Cup points. That is far too little for the demands. Paris was doing well in the upper part of the first descent in Lake Louise, but then was unlucky that his binding came loose. After that he couldn't drive anymore. The almost 38-year-old Innerhofer was already behind in Lake Louise (ranks 18 and 24) and didn't even get into the points in Beaver Creek.

The next speed races are on the program in Val Gardena. Will things get better there? Innerhofer was rarely strong on the Saslong. He only finished in the top 5 three times in all his professional years. In 2018 he came second in the Super-G. Paris was on the podium twice in Val Gardena in 2014. After that there were only two placements in the top five. What remains is hope. And as we all know, she dies last. Florian Schieder in Lake Louise: The Kastelruth native is ski racing again.

Speaking of hope: Florian Schieder is likely to have created this again. The Castelrotto native celebrated his comeback overseas after a long period of suffering. In Beaver Creek, finishing 28th in the downhill was enough for three World Cup points. But the same applies to him: Val Gardena is a red rag. In three appearances, a 48th place is his best result. The prospects for the home races could be better for all South Tyrolean downhill skiers. A Delago appearance as a ray of hope Not only the South Tyrolean men followed behind, but also the speed women. More or less at least. Only Nicol Delago can be halfway satisfied with their performances in Lake Louise. It was she who provided the only bright spot with 7th place in the second downhill run on Saturday. Her sister Nadia Delago scored a measly 12 points in three races. A 23rd place in the downhill was the highest of emotions for the 25-year-old. The sisters from Wolkenstein have experienced better skiing days. Karoline Pichler from Petersberg even had to travel back from North America with empty pockets. Nicol Delago secured the South Tyroleans' only top 10 place.

The speed women continue in St. Moritz (SUI). And the same applies there as for the men in Val Gardena: absolutely no favorite place. Neither the Delago sisters nor Pichler were ever able to achieve a top 10 place in the posh ski resort.

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Difficult times for South Tyrol's speed aces

The speed winter started with cancellations in Zermatt/Cervinia. Then we went overseas, where after a few days of training in Copper Mountain we drove in Lake Louise (CAN) and Beaver Creek (USA). What is the outcome of the South Tyroleans after their return to Europe?

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