Gut-Behrami’s successful coach Hervas reveals: “I will guide Lara until the end of her career”

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Grey hair? Alejo Hervas (47) is getting more and more of it. But not because of the performance of Lara Gut-Behrami (32)! The Swiss ski coach from southern Spain is pleased with the strong performance of his athlete and could hardly be happier. The Ticino native has already claimed three victories this winter, as well as another four podium finishes.

Hervas is a crucial piece of the puzzle of their success. You could even say: his commitment from five years ago turns out to be more of a lottery pick the longer it goes on – for him, Gut-Behrami, but also for Swiss-Ski.

Gut-Behrami won two World Cup titles, one Olympic victory and sixteen World Cup victories under Hervas. Hervas, who mainly acts as Kondi’s trainer, is particularly impressed by her ability to “feel the competition. Her attitude towards the races is incredible.”

Gut-Behrami has returned the praise several times. “I owe a lot to Alejo and I am happy that he is here,” said the Ticino resident. Women’s head coach Beat Tschuor does not regret for a second that he was able to push the southern Spaniard through to Swiss-Ski in 2019 at the suggestion of Gut-Behrami. “It worked. “Alejo is not only important to Lara, but also a very good presence in the team.”

Hervas planned a foundation – with success

But how did Hervas manage to get Gut-Behrami back on the road to success? After all, she had to overcome a two-year drought. In the beginning he talked about building a foundation in the physical world.

“I still remember our conversation,” he says. “That really paid off. Once we had laid a good foundation, we could continue. One step at a time.” Right now it’s about choosing carefully what Gut-Behrami needs. “We should never ignore how she feels.”

“Loves being close to people”

Gut-Behrami worked a total of four weeks in the summer in Granada, her coach’s home base. “The atmosphere in the gym helped, the other athletes there are strong and brave and there is always a good atmosphere – everyone wants to get better every day,” said Hervas.

The Spanish powerhouse does not describe himself as a friend of Gut-Behrami, although the two get along well on a personal level. The chemistry between father Pauli and mother Gabriella is of course correct. “I like to be close to people. This way I learn what drives them and how I can get the best out of them.”

He was a guide for a disabled Olympic champion

Hervas once rode smaller races himself, he studied and became Olympic champion at the 1998 Paralympic Games in Nagano. How? As a guide for a 19-year-old blind Spaniard. “That was a great experience,” he says today.

Of course, his current focus is on Gut-Behrami. “Recovery is crucial in a career as long as Lara’s. And I have to be careful that she doesn’t do too much.”

“We have an agreement”

But how long will the successful team continue? Before the winter, Gut-Behrami talked about wanting to be there until the 2025 World Cup in Saalbach (Austria). Recently, after her Super-G victory in Zauchensee, she said: “Maybe I’ll do five, maybe ten more Super-Gs. Don’t know. “I want to enjoy what is to come even more.”

One thing is certain: Hervas will remain by Gut-Behrami’s side if nothing special happens. He reveals: “We have an agreement. I will guide you until the end of your career. There is no date yet, everything is in flux and she will decide when it will happen.”

Source : Blick