Worlds of Saalbach: and too bad for the first Swiss medal

A first good news, to start. For the parallel slalom by mixed teams (from 3:15 p.m.), Switzerland will pass the 1st round, the 8th finals, without fighting. Because in the regulations of the International Ski Federation, the best 15 world teams are qualified for this event, plus the organizing country. But as it is already complicated to find so many training courses and the host country, Austria, is necessarily already in the account, the world first nation in the FIS ranking is found without an adversary of entry.

The problem is that it is then toured for Switzerland, which has not frankly engaged its cadors for this opening of the Worlds. Yes, with Delphine Darbellay, Wendy Holdener, Luca Aerni and Thomas Tumler, Switzerland is not ridiculous. But as the Swiss team has much more prestigious goals in the coming days, it does not put on the parallel of this Tuesday its cream of the cream. And that can be understood. But it also shows that this test is not a real goal, precisely.

We can also understand the opposite bet carried out by other national selections. At this weekend, for the super-G or the descent, whether in men and women, Swiss-Ski has a plethora of playing cards. So much so that a Stefan Rogentin, a world in descent, cannot be a party. Thus, other countries in search of glory, rely on this competition by country to win a medal. It is certainly less prestigious, but it counts just as much on the final of the final medals.

Austria, for example, has selected six skiers, just to try to launch its Worlds well at home. There is Stephanie Brunner, Katharina Trupe, Fabio Gstrein and Dominik Raschner in the lot. Not bad. Norway has as many ambitions as Switzerland in these Worlds, but does not ignore it. She also presents six athletes on her starting list, including Thea Louise Stjernesund, Timon Haugan and Atle Lie McGrath. Than cadors. Sweden and the United States also align credible troops. But the scarecrow of this Tuesday is undoubtedly German, even if the 4th man may be lacking.

The concern? It is that Germany, as a world nation, will face Slovenia (9th) in the round of 16, while Switzerland will be at rest. And after the Germans have qualified easily, well they will find themselves opposed to the Swiss. And by dissecting the selection of our north neighbors … We quickly realize that it smells like the tree. With Lena Dürr, Jessica Hilzinger and Linus Strasser, specialists, it looks complex. And as the FIS classification is villain, a possible half against Norway seems insurmountable in stride.

Suddenly, for bronze, it would be necessary to fight against the Austrian host, Sweden or Italy. And it would already be a feat for selected Swiss skiers. We can understand the Swiss bet of making a half-pesting on this event which has never managed to settle in the sports and media landscape. But as a world No. 1, Switzerland could have launched an interesting dynamic. Afterwards, maybe Swiss-Ski skiers will make me lie and also deny bookmakers. But the latter rarely be mistaken, unlike me.