It took 34 years until Pirmin Zurbriggen was replaced as the most successful Swiss ski racer after his retirement in 1990. Marco Odermatt took his 41st World Cup victory in Alta Badia on Sunday. A milestone that Zurbriggen has seen coming for some time. In an interview with SRF, the Valais native reveals why Odermatt is a worthy successor and what he still believes the man from Nidwalden can do.
Pirmin Zurbriggen
former ski racer
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Pirmin Zurbriggen is one of the most successful ski racers of all time. The 61-year-old has one Olympic victory (Calgary, 1988), four overall World Cup victories and four world championship titles in his palmarès, as well as 40 World Cup victories. In 1990 he retired from the ski circuit. Since then, Zurbriggen has run several hotels in Valais.
SRF Sport: Pirmin Zurbriggen, take the first question with a wink: Do you like having “the two on your back”?
Pirmin Zurbriggen: (laughs) As an athlete you never liked that. Afterwards you become more realistic and know that the two are also good.
Since Sunday you are no longer the most successful Swiss skier in history. How did you perceive this: with sadness or with joy for Odermatt?
I am happy. There was some preparation, so to speak. It's been clear for a long time that Marco has the potential to bring home more victories than me. I watched with excitement. What I particularly enjoy about Marco, in addition to his skills, is his character and his attitude. He is exemplary as a human being, which is beautiful.
Have you followed the race?
In any case. I watch almost every race. On Sunday it was so exciting to see what skills Marco showed. That was fantastic. In difficult conditions where mistakes can be made at any time, he managed to drive at the limit. So that the others almost have to think: 'If we don't have a perfect run, we have no chance against Marco.'
Have you already had contact with Odermatt?
No, not yet. I think I'll meet with Marco and his family at some point so I can properly acknowledge this victory and congratulate him warmly. What I wish for him, and I have already said this to him: I am convinced that Marco can achieve over 50 wins. He's still healthy, he has the potential.
Why is Odermatt a worthy successor?
Above all, it's the character that defines him. I met Marco through my son; the two of them used to often share a room. Even then I could see how Marco deals with successful moments and difficult situations. I think that's the most important thing: stay grounded and also notice that the others around you are achieving great achievements. Marco does it very well. Since Marco joined the team, it has been as good as it has rarely been seen. Everyone knows: 'If I can keep up with him in training, then I can be at the front in the race. It’s a scary yardstick.›
What else do you think he can do? What else does he have up his sleeve?
The basic requirement is always that the body cooperates and remains healthy. Then I am convinced that Marco will become one of the world's best skiers of all time. I don't quite think he can overtake Ingemar Stenmark (86 World Cup victories), but I think he is capable of becoming number 2.
You mentioned it: In terms of the number of victories, he now has 5 legends ahead of him: Marc Girardelli (46), Alberto Tomba (50), Hermann Maier (54), Marcel Hirscher (67) and Stenmark (86). Do you think Hirscher's brand is realistic?
I have to say: He is lucky that he focuses on three disciplines. To be in it for the long term, that's probably the key. I competed in 5 disciplines. This put extreme demands on the body. This is an incredible burden. Marco is spared a bit of this. That's why I think he can be number 2. If he competed in all disciplines, it would be difficult. I felt the same way back then. If I had focused on fewer disciplines, I might have done it a little longer.
After your resignation in 1990, it took 34 years until you got rid of the number 1 position. Did you think you would remain a leader for so long?
I always knew that a lot of things had to be right to achieve this. For this reason I also did a lot of youth work. I consciously promoted this because I knew how nice it was to be at the forefront, but also that everything had to fit together so that we could have such a successful phase again one day. I enjoy seeing how this youth work has borne fruit. You see that anything is possible if you do something about it.
Yesterday there was a brief doubt about the ranking because you also won a parallel race, which is not officially recorded as a World Cup race. That doesn't matter to you, does it?
That doesn't matter at all. I don't expect it to stay at 41 wins either. The fact that I once won a parallel race that wasn't part of the World Cup is absolutely irrelevant. I'm happy for Marco and that he can win a few more races. He is certainly the greatest skier that Switzerland has ever seen.
The interview was conducted by Jan Andrin Stolz.
