Ski spectacle on the streak-but at what price?

A security discussion is raging in the Alpine Ski World Cup-again. And in Kitzbühel it is now on one of the most dangerous routes. Has the limit of the reasonable reached?

Malco Odermatt and Cyprien Sarrazin stood in a Kitzbüheler scene pub behind the bar with bare upper bodies. The pictures of the celebrating ski stars went around the world. A year later, the Swiss Odermatt fights for his first victory in the Hahnenkamm races-and the Frenchman Sarrazin for returning to a normal life.

The streak has always been a great spectacle – also next to the slopes. But worries always go on one of the most dangerous World Cup routes. There have been discussions about the security of the alpine stars for a long time. After a series of bad falls, you started new speed before the 85th edition of the Tyrolean ski festival with the Super-G on Friday and the departure on Saturday (11.30 a.m.).

Racing director: “It’s five after twelve”

This is also due to Sarrazin, who is injured a year after his double triumph and the big pub party. In a violent fall in training in Bormio shortly after Christmas, the 30-year-old suffered bleeding near the brain. He was operated on the head and was in a coma. There is currently no way of thinking about ski races: the Frenchman still has a long rehab in front of him; When and whether Sarrazin will return to the World Cup is open.

“It is not five to twelve, but five after twelve,” said Markus Waldner, race director at the World Association FIS, recently with a view to the many failures, especially among the speed drivers. The fight for speed and perfection has long since become a material battle. Thanks to high-tech preparation, the skis enable so high pace that even top drivers are difficult to keep control. Also like Sarrazin.

Schramm falls violently in training

It was probably a bit better, some drivers who wrote with Sarrazin reported on my cell phone. At the latest the French accident of the French of December 27 showed: The limit of the reasonable is reached, if not exceeded. People are not machines. And should make mistakes without paying for their health.

Like Jacob Schramm. The 26-year-old German, like so many drivers in the foray history in front of him, fell hard in training on Wednesday. He suffered a slight concussion and cruciate ligament tears in both knees. It could not go on like that you see the rescue helicopter flying every week, said national coach Christian Schwaiger.

Neureuther for uniform suits

«Of course, a driver always has a responsibility towards himself. But we are at a point where no longer only talking about security, but also something has to be decided, »said ex-skiistar Felix Neureuther of the German Press Agency. “You will never find anything that you can do with everyone, but you have to set clear rules.”

The 40-year-old advocates, for example, for uniform and somewhat slower racing suits. You could reduce the speed about other fabric, he said. «It is also possible that it still looks like racing and not for recreational sports. 5 km/h make a big difference on the slopes, but it still looks just as spectacular on television. » Romed Baumann, the veteran in the current German Speed ​​team, also said to be a goal.

Ski as sharp as knives

The icy slopes, but above all skis, shoes and bonds, are always gross. «The material has become so aggressive, which is really enormous. In the meantime, radii have been driven, they were previously unthinkable, »said Neureuther. «And you no longer have to drive such layers to get feedback from your ski. It reacts to the smallest little thing immediately. »

Sarrazin was catapulted out of the Stelvio slope in Bormio in changeable snow conditions. The Norwegian Aleksander Aamodt Kilde had been slapped the calf a year ago when he falls in Wengen a good year ago – the edges of the skis are now so razor -sharp.

Airbag obligation is often avoided

Many expect the World Association FIS to counteract this development. The sport is currently systematically destroying itself, said the sports director of the German Ski Association, Wolfgang Maier, recently the ARD. However, all interests and their representatives – be it drivers, coaches, associations and of course manufacturers – under one roof, is the big challenge.

If it has an advantage, no athlete will voluntarily do without it. This was already shown by the introduction of the airbag obligation to this season. Many drivers bypass them thanks to an exception. You will also fight for every hour’s kilometer on the streak. But the concern always drives.

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