“Out of 12 pairs of skis, one will definitely fit”

He has been doing this for Dominik Paris for 11 years. No matter how unpredictable the external circumstances are. The people of Ultimo only have problems with one weather phenomenon: the wind. Because: “We can’t influence that. If it blows from the wrong side, then you are powerless. The athlete and material can be so good. If Mr. Blasius means well for us in the Olympic downhill on Sunday and lets us work in peace, then everything is possible,” says Zanon with regard to Domme’s chances of winning a medal.

Especially since he is impressed by the Olympic downhill course: “It’s all there. It is very technical, with lots of curves, jumps and a flat section that is around 20 seconds long. Everything is set up for a nice race. But my fear is that the wind will play a crucial role. And if the luck factor is a deciding factor, that’s always the case.” Zero experience Zanon isn't worried about the quality of the snow. Because the Olympic dress rehearsal in the World Cup was canceled two years ago due to Corona, it's not just the athletes who start with zero experience. Until two days ago, the service people also had no idea what to expect at the National Alpine Ski Center in Yanqing. Sepp Zanon gives the all-clear: “The snow is not as dry as was previously claimed. There is water in it, it has moisture. Only: On top it is dry and aggressive. It depends on the wind. When it sweeps over it, a small layer forms over it, which can slow things down extremely.”

Dominik Paris wants to take action in Beijing. © APA / EXPA/JOHANN GRODER

Especially since it is precisely these subtleties with the snow that will make the difference in the hundredth hunt for gold: take away the edge sharpness on the ski so that it goes better on dry snow? But risking them burning with very narrow edges? Zanon: “This will be the biggest challenge for me as a service man. The vote will be crucial. Because if you have too sharp edges here, it slows you down a lot.” 25 pairs of skis Sepp Zanon took 12 pairs of downhill skis to the Olympics for Domme Paris, as well as 4 pairs for training. Plus another 9 pairs for the Super-G next Tuesday. “I have one or two pairs of skis with me for all conditions. They are our racing skis that Domme has always traveled with. One of these 1 pairs will fit. Only the training skis are new. If so, I'll try one or the other there. Otherwise, I rely on what I already know.”

And that's a lot: Beijing is Zanon's 8th Winter Games. He was there for the first time in 1994 when he was a service man for Sabina Panzanini and Lara Magoni. He goes into his 4th games with Domme. In 2010, Zanon was actually with the US ski team, but also took over the care of Paris, who unexpectedly made his Olympic debut as a rider for the European Cup team. And in the combination, as second downhill, he was even on course for a medal. In the end it came 13th. That should change in Beijing. Zanon: “Domme likes the route, he’s in a good mood, the form is right. The Olympics can come.”

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“Out of 12 pairs of skis, one will definitely fit”

Nothing knocks him down so quickly. If there is something that sets Sepp Zanon, a regular fixture on the World Cup circuit as a skiman for 30 years, it is his coolness and his strong nerves. And the ability to bring fast downhill skis onto the slopes with precision.

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