Werner Heel: “The Super-G has to stay”

How did you spend the summer? Vacation? My summer mostly consists of mountain biking and training. Everything is going according to plan. We (with our friend Manuela Mölgg) didn't have time for a vacation, I've completed the ski instructor course and besides, it's very nice here in South Tyrol. We were only in Milano Marittima for 2-3 days visiting friends.

The speed team is currently training in South America, they are not there. Is this okay? Of course I would have liked to have been there. But unfortunately I don't have access to the World Cup group's training.

What is your training currently like? I've already been on snow for 16 days, which is quite a lot, also because I have to do everything alone. In June and July, for example, I was with the women's World Cup group on the Stelvio. And last week I trained with the Swiss and the “Azzurre” for five days in Cervinia. This isn't actually a big problem, it's just that "begging" for a few rides on the training slope is bad. Last season they secured a place in the Downhill World Cup with second place in the European Cup standings. Was that your goal? Two seasons ago I decided to reduce my FIS points. To do this I had to go to the European Cup, where I was able to improve my points with good results and get a better starting number. That was the main goal. The fact that I secured a place for the upcoming World Cup last winter is of course great. Oh, I have to say: thank God I managed to get the fixed spot. At least I'm in the "national interest" squad, otherwise the FISI would have thrown me out the door.

What do you expect from the coming winter? There are a few people who want to see Werner Heel at the front. My motivation is high because I haven't forgotten how to ski. I want to be competitive again and not a gap-filler.

Is the World Cup in Are in February 2019 a goal? Of course Are is a goal, I'm not ruling anything out.

They have competed in 197 World Cup races so far, meaning the Beaver Creek descent on December 1st will be their 200th start. What does that mean for you? Really now? Then I have to skip Beaver Creek so that the descent in Val Gardena will be my anniversary race! (laughs) No, as a young athlete I wanted as many successes as possible in just a few starts. Today I say, yes, I am proud of 200 World Cup races.

You have been in the World Cup for 17 years and, together with Peter Fill, you are the oldie in the team. How do you see the young speed riders? Emanuele Buzzi is already very strong. He has potential and is well advanced for his young age. The other boys in the European Cup team also show that they can keep up with the top. There are a few very interesting athletes there with Alexander Prast and Florian Schieder.

You are considered someone who takes a critical view of the entire ski circus. What do you think of the discussions about abolishing Super-G, abolishing combination, and more parallel, team and city events? These are always the same discussions, for years. And what's remarkable is that we athletes have nothing to report here. The FIS men do everything on their own. The Super-G is the most interesting discipline, for athletes and also for spectators. Only a top skier can win in the Super-G, this discipline cannot be eliminated! However, the FIS should think about the Super-G slopes: Lake Louise, Val Gardena and Kitzbühel are not ideal slopes for a Super-G, so alternatives need to be found.

And what about parallel, team and city events? I like these parallel races, especially Alta Badia. Only, I would ban the double block technique! It's fast, but it looks terrible and it's just not a technique, it's just carnage. It has nothing to do with style and skiing.

Superstar Lindsey Vonn talks about her final season, should she reach ski legend Ingemar Stenmark's record of 86 World Cup victories. Can she do it? Yes, if Lindsey Vonn stays injury-free, then she can easily take her last four wins! But I would like to add: For me, Vonn will not be the best skier of all time with 86, 87 or 90 World Cup victories. Stenmark had far fewer races and only competed in two disciplines. Stenmark is and remains the best skier of all time!

Last question: How long will you stay with us in the Ski World Cup? Will this be her last season? I'll definitely be at it all winter long. In the spring I'll think about what to do next. My goal is to drive good races and then everything is open!

Fact box:

Name: Werner Heel Date and place of birth: March 23.03.1982, XNUMX, Merano

3 World Cup victories 2009: Super G Are 2008: Super-G Val Gardena 2008: Departure Kvitfjell

A total of ten podium places, five in the Super-G and five in the downhill.

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Werner Heel: “The Super-G has to stay”

The “Azzurri” speed aces are currently preparing for the upcoming World Cup winter in Argentina. But one prominent name is missing in South America: Werner Heel. SportNews editor Ivo Zorzi met with the Passeirer for an interview.

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