Experts disagree: is this the best Gut-Behrami of all time?

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She wins, clenches her fist and beams. Lara Gut-Behrami (32) wins her third race of the season in Zauchensee (Austria). She also appeared on stage four more times. The Ticino native reached the top 3 in more than half of the races she participated in. It makes you wonder: are we seeing the best Gut-Behrami of all time here?

Nicole Schmidhofer (34) should know. Today’s ORF cameraman also wandered around the ski circus. She and Gut-Behrami competed together at the Junior World Championships 17 years ago. Both were considered major talents, both were predicted to have bright futures, and both went on to win World Cup gold in Super-G. “But I can’t compare myself to Lara. When I met her recently, I wanted to know how she could become so successful,” says Schmidhofer. And what was Gut-Behrami’s answer? “I’ve been here for a long time!”

For Schmidhofer it is clear: “Lara is one of the greatest in history.” World Cup and Olympic gold, overall World Cup victory and now 40 World Cup victories – it’s all just “crazy” and “madness,” says the woman who resigned after last winter.

“No longer at its peak”

But back to the original question: is this the best Gut-Behrami of all time? Statistically, it will be difficult for Gut-Behrami to top the dream 2015/16 season. At the time, she celebrated 13 podium finishes (6 wins, 4 second and 3 third places) – ultimately winning the big crystal ball. Marc Girardelli (60) won the overall World Cup five times. He says: “Lara is certainly no longer at the peak of her performance.”

Why he thinks this is clear: Gut-Behrami is in the latter part of her career and emphasizes that she needs more time for regeneration and no longer has the same energy as when she was 20. “That’s exactly why it’s so strong that Lara still wins. She manages to cope with the young daredevils. That’s great, I’m a big fan of hers.”

Girardelli is almost even more impressed by Gut-Behrami as a person: “She is a personality with rough edges. She doesn’t care whether she comes across as sympathetic or not.” She has her opinion and will stand by it. “That’s the backbone. Not many athletes have something like that these days.”

Udine is a fortress for Gut-Behrami

Back to sports. We ask slalom veteran Didier Plaschy (50): Will we see the best Gut-Behrami of all time? “It certainly drives faster than ever before under different conditions,” he says.

She was previously accused of only performing at her best when the sun was shining, especially during the descents. “Now she can make it anywhere. She has a larger repertoire and tactical skills like never before.” Their vast experience is crucial for this, says Plaschy. «Lara had a difficult phase after her cruciate ligament tear seven years ago. She wandered off far too often. She still uses this drug – but only when it is really necessary and benefits her.”

Plaschy also notes the inner peace that Gut-Behrami radiates. “That comes from their environment. She lives with her husband in Udine, far away from home. No one has anything to do with skiing there – she can move freely, does not have to justify herself, no one asks anything. It’s completely isolated there. This allows her to perfectly separate her life from work and family.”

46 wins soon? Götschl says: Yes!

In the World Cup best list, Gut-Behrami is in seventh place with 40 wins, after which she was able to overtake Swedish ski hero Anja Pärson (42 wins), followed by speed queen Renate Götschl (46 wins). The 48-year-old Austrian would heartily begrudge Gut-Behrami if she were to make it. “I have known Lara for a long time and know that she also had to go down. Now everything fits: environment, material, physical and psychological. It’s just beautiful to watch her.”

Götschl does not expect Gut-Behrami to hang up his skis anytime soon. “Lara has become more relaxed. She knows how to deal with the media and controls everything surrounding it. Hopefully she can use all her skills on skis for a long time to come.”

Gut-Behrami was always a natural and always asked her for advice, Götschl explains. «Not only am I convinced that Lara will soon have 46 victories to her name. I even wish she would overtake me, she would deserve that.”

Source : Blick