without its executives, Switzerland struggles to shine

Sölden has launched the new alpine ski season. Two giants who did not smile at our representatives, especially when the leaders did not respond.

Women and men showed their intentions during the two opening giants of the Alpine Ski World Cup season in Sölden. A recovery which did not please the Swiss delegation, struggling when the leaders did not respond.

Federica Brignone shone among the women, ahead of Alice Robinson, in great form, and the surprise Julia Scheib. Among the men, it was a Norwegian hat-trick: Alexander Steen Olsen dominated the tenacious Henrik Kristoffersen, while Atle Lie McGrath took his place on the third step, just ahead of a certain Lucas Pinheiro Braathen.

The Swiss-Ski delegation did not succeed in placing an athlete on the box. A false start for Swiss ski aces.

Sans Gut-Behramithat’s another story

Starting with women. If the giant is by far not the strong discipline of the Swiss teamthe results remain very mixed. Lara Gut-Behrami, the holder of the great globe, was not ready. For three weeks on the slopes, seized and relieved of part of her muscle mass, the Ticino woman admitted that her morale was low. The blow received on his knee during the evacuated preparation course, according to him, it was above all his confidence which had taken a big blow to the coffee maker. She was not 100%, as evidenced by her loss on Saturday morning, just before putting on the bib. She even let a few tears fall.

Now, it’s rest and training rounds to get back on track, before returning with the knife between his teeth to Killington, where a new giant awaits him on November 30.

And during this time, the Swiss had no say in the matter. Without the Ticino leader, the Swiss team was decapitated, a refrain that often comes up in the discipline.

And this time, the observation hurts: it is only Camille Rast who has shown good things. The Valaisanne stacked two solid rounds to finish 12th. A good omen, it often gains strength as the season goes on. Especially since the Rettenbach glacier does not suit him. So it’s with the banana that she packs her ski bags.

Camille Rast (12th), the light in the Swiss camp.Keystone

Michelle Gisin was also at her advantage before breaking down in the second round. But skiing is there, in a discipline that only smiles timidly on him. A grinta that is lacking on Wendy Holdener’s side. After a terribly difficult year last year (the loss of his brother and a serious injury) his return to competition was difficult: he ended up with heavy skiing and a cruel lack of dynamism. It will take him a little time to regain his feelings.

Odi supersonic before falling

Among the men, in the absence of his runner-up from last year Loïc Meillard, who blocked his back during the warm-up, Odermatt did not manage to reach the finish. Stupor, general air conditioning in the ranks of Swiss-Ski. The Nidwalden has a second giant exit from the track, after that of Saalbach during last year’s finals.

But don’t worry. If you take the middle ground, Odermatt was belly dancing on his opponents. After 27 seconds of racing, no one approached him less than 50 hundredths. Zubcic skied in 27”68, while the Swiss cut the cell in 27”13. Steen Olsen took his turn in 27”84. By dint of analysis, just before his fatal error, Odi counted…one second ahead of his rivals.

Gino Caviezelmixed result

Concerning Gino Caviezel, announced to be very fit after the summer preparation and happy to have signed with the Atomic brand, he was guilty of several mistakes to tickle the Norwegian trio. 9th after the addition of the two rounds, this top 10 is only a small consolation prize for a skier who has the level to compete for podiums on each giant. However, its multiple inaccuracies hinder its progress.

Gino Caviezel.Keystone

Same observation for Thomas Tumler, excellent 4th in the first round, who crashed in the second round. Even though he suffered on the second run, the Samnaun skier showed very good skiing (as always) and seems equipped to shine this year.

The only one who can show a smile is Justin Murisier. Le Bagnard demonstrated that he had the level to race (again) as a giant, he who placed the emphasis on speed. The adjustments made this summer seem to be going in the right direction.

Justin Murisien showed some great things during the Sunday giant.Keystone

But if there is by far no danger in the Swiss home, the exit of Odi, the absence of Loïc Meillard as well as that of Lara Gut-Behrami, without its executives, the national team has coughed. The overall result is disappointing, especially when our gaze turns to a new generation that is struggling to emerge. But be patient, this is only the first test of the season.

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