Marco Schwarz's last meters before the fall. © APA/afp / FABRICE COFFRINI

Wave of criticism after black injury

Marco Schwarz versus Marco Odermatt – a duel between Austria and Switzerland for victory in the overall World Cup thrills ski fans worldwide. After a slow start to the 2023/24 Ski World Cup, this duel became a kind of Inter-Milan city derby with Schwarz's slalom victory in Madonna di Campiglio (ITA). But then came Bormio.

30 December 2023

From: zor

In January 2023, Marco Schwarz competed in his first World Cup downhill run on the Lauberhorn, the former slalom specialist sensationally landed in 1th place on the longest downhill run in the world. “Blacky” was not able to repeat his best downhill result to date, but he was at least 6th in Val Gardena in December best Austrian, the day before in the Super-G he came fifth. The all-rounder Marco Schwarz was definitely born, because there was no noticeable reduction in performance in his flagship disciplines of slalom and giant slalom - on the contrary: after three podium places in Gurgl (AUT), Val d'Isere (FRA) and Alta Badia, the 9-year-old succeeded in the night slalom in Madonna di Campiglio the first win of the season. A pleasant side effect: Schwarz had snatched the red jersey from the overall leader in the World Cup from Odermatt, who doesn't ski in slaloms.

On St. Stephen's Day the speed aces had to complete the first training run in Bormio, after the second training session on Wednesday there was the downhill race on the icy and bumpy slopes on Thursday. Black got off to a courageous start, but the Carinthian was pushed back a bit in the upper part of the track fell and slipped into the safety nets. Although the fall looked harmless, the takeoff ended badly: Schwarz suffered a torn cruciate ligament in his right knee, damage to the medial meniscus and cartilage damage. After being transported away by rescue helicopter, he was transferred to Innsbruck (AUT) and operated on. What started a few weeks ago with the ÖSV words “Marco Schwarz wants to drive every race” ended on the operating table. Now there is criticism of the coaching team.

Black with an “insane workload”

The ski legend already warned in Madonna Felix Neureuther before the departure in Bormio, after all, the “Stelvio” demands everything physically from the racers. “I said to journalists after the departure in Val Gardena that Schwarz should forego the races in Bormio in order to recharge his batteries for the classics in January,” the Swiss Blick quoted the German as saying. Also Olympic champion Stephan Eberharter (29 World Cup victories/winner overall World Cup 2001/02, 2002/03) doesn't hold back with his opinion: "With the incredible workload that Blacky has completed, regeneration is neglected and injuries are the logical consequence." Ski legend Marc girardelli (60) finds clear words: "In my opinion, the trainers are complicit in Marco's injury because they have placed too little emphasis on his body's recovery in the last few months."

Marco Schwarz has already undergone surgery. © ANSA / ANDREA SOLERO

The ÖSV announced that the knee will now be relieved of the strain with crutches for several weeks. The months-long rehabilitation began on Friday evening with light physiotherapeutic measures. A difficult road back begins for Schwarz - like in 2019, when he tore a cruciate ligament just a few weeks after his first World Cup victory in the Combined Super-G in Bansko (BUL) without falling.

“Odermatt will get his third overall World Cup victory even if he goes on vacation to the Maldives at the end of January.” Marc girardelli

With Marco Schwarz's retirement, Marco Odermatt is the big favorite to win the overall World Cup. The Swiss is currently clearly leading the rankings with 636 points. The 1st pursuer Aleksander Aamodt Kilde (NOR) has 240 points. Odermatt will probably win his third big crystal ball single-handedly after 2021/22 and 2022/23. Marc Girardelli: “Marco Odermatt will get his 3rd overall World Cup victory even if he goes on vacation to the Maldives at the end of January.”