Odermatt’s “big brother” rewards itself: Schmidiger returns from horticulture to the World Cup

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It is a conversation with Tom Stauffer that hits Reto Schmidiger (31) like a hammer blow in the spring of 2022! After numerous injuries and too few World Cup points, Schmidiger was removed from the Swiss ski team by the head coach. And all this just before the 30th anniversary.

Most other athletes in a similar situation would have declared their immediate withdrawal. But the slalom specialist from Nidwalden (four top ten finishes in the World Cup) decides to continue fighting on his own behalf. “It quickly became clear to me that my sporting story was not yet finished. Fortunately, my regular partners saw it that way too. My individual sponsor, my outfitters and the canton of Nidwalden quickly assured me of their support.”

100,000 francs per season

Ultimately, Schmidiger cannot fully cover the costs with the sponsorship money. “Last season cost me about 100,000 francs. That’s why I had to rely on my own savings.”

To boost his account, the Hergiswiler, who has been married to Annina for almost four years, does another job during his spare time: the former junior world champion works 60 percent in Elias Zumbühl’s horticultural company in the summer. Not just because of the money, as he says. “Working in horticulture is also an excellent training for me. Pushing and pushing the cart from early morning to late at night in high temperatures is the ideal addition to the classic strength and endurance training of a ski racer.

Serious mistake when sanding edges

But Schmidiger also has to stay busy during the ski season. Since his expulsion from the Swiss ski team, he continues to receive equipment from Nordica, but he has to prepare the skis himself. “That’s why I now know exactly why talented service men are so sought after in the ski circus,” sighs Schmidiger and admits, “that last weekend I completely sanded the ski edges for the European Cup slalom in Val di Fassa, Italy.”

That’s why the man who Marco Odermatt (26) considered a big brother in his youth was eliminated in the second run. Two days later, Schmidiger was rewarded for his gigantic effort for the first time in Obereggen – he triumphed in the European Cup slalom in South Tyrol and a few hours later he received selection for the World Cup slalom in Madonna di Campiglio. “It gives me great satisfaction that almost two years after I was expelled from Swiss Ski, I have again competed for a starting place in the World Cup.”

Encouraged by Ginnis and Strolz

An Austrian and a Greek are also at the start in Madonna di Campiglio, who mainly inspired Schmidiger on his difficult road back. «Johannes Strolz and AJ Ginnis were also removed from their national team a few years ago and then continued to fight on their own account. Strolz became Olympic champion in 2022, Ginnis finished second at the slalom world championship last year. The stories of AJ and Johannes strengthened my belief in my own chance.

Can Schmidiger take advantage of his new World Cup opportunity in Madonna di Campiglo? The answer will follow on Friday evening (first run from 5.45 pm).

Source : Blick