Ski stars rage at climate activists: “Damn idiots! I feel sick when I think about her.”

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In Gurgl everything is prepared for the perfect premiere. For the first time, a World Cup slalom will take place in the Austrian city, which is part of the municipality of Sölden. Local man Michael Matt (30) was leading in the second run when he was pushed off the lead by fellow countryman Marco Schwarz (28). But instead of being happy with the double lead, events took over after he crossed the finish line.

As soon as Schwarz sees that he has set the new best time, climate activists will be given access to the finish area. In protest they spray orange paint in the snow. The audience reacts immediately and envelops them in a shrill flute concert. Shortly afterwards, the police storm in to remove the troublemakers. It doesn’t matter that the top five from the first run are still at the top. Just not with one: Henrik Kristoffersen (29).

Nothing is lost at a sporting event

The Norwegian slalom world champion is furious when he sees the climate activists. He wants to rush up to them and tell them their opinion. With great difficulty, several people stop him. His anger is still great. “Damned idiots!” he shouts on Norwegian television. He is especially angry that they ruined the race of his teammate Alexander Steen Olsen (22). He has to wait fifteen minutes for the start and then falls from 5th to 18th place.

“They have no respect for the athletes and the spectators.” It is clear to the skier: climate activists do not belong at a sporting event. Kristoffersen understands their concerns, but “then they have to take the political route and change something.” They cannot achieve this with such actions. He describes what happened in Gurgl as “disgusting and reprehensible” and says: “I feel sick when I think about her.” The other athletes notice immediately and pat Kristoffersen on the back for his angry appearance. And what about the activists? They are taken away by the police and taken into custody. Kristoffersen hopes for “many consequences” for them, he tells SRF.

Yule is the only Swiss who can convince

Then there is the Austrian ski festival in Gurgl. Because if the race continues, only one person will ride faster than Schwarz: his teammate Manuel Feller (31). Already in the first run he was in a class of his own, more than nine-tenths ahead of the competition. And he will not let his third World Cup victory be denied him. When asked about the disruption, Feller told Austrian media that it was important “that there are people who are committed to something like this.” On the other hand, he doesn’t understand why the slalom goal was targeted by the activists. “Then I won’t be allowed to do any more events.” Because he believes that there is not much to discuss about skiing, because it is going ‘very, very well’.

While the hosts celebrate a triple victory, things are different for the Swiss. Only Daniel Yule (30) is convinced. Thanks to a performance improvement in the second run, he finished fifth. Loïc Meillard (27) has a chance of a podium finish in fourth place at halftime. He throws them away with a threader. Ramon Zenhäuser (31), who, like Yule, won two slaloms last season, also cannot live up to his performance. His second run in particular is far too cautious. Like Marc Rochat (30), Luca Aerni (30) and Tanguy Nef (26), he scores points, but is outside the top 15. (bir)

Source : Blick