Gut-Behrami, Odermatt and Shiffrin criticize the gigantic program: are the evening events too much of a good thing?

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Mikaela Shiffrin (28, USA)? Injured. Petra Vlhova (28, Slk)? Also. Sofia Goggia (31, It)? Also out. Plus Michelle Gisin (30) and Valerie Grenier (27, Ka). On Saturday during the giant slalom in Soldeu (And), five of the ten best riders of the overall World Cup were injured – for most of them the season is over. Is it all a coincidence?

“I absolutely believe fatigue plays a role in the many injuries at this point in the season – including mine,” Shiffrin said recently. After stretching the medial ligament in her knee, she will also skip the races in Crans-Montana USA – it remains to be seen when she will return.

The top stars have to play in the evening

The string of injuries is no coincidence for Shiffrin. The American star sees a problem in the tight racing calendar. There could be 41 women’s races by the end of winter. That’s a lot, but not much more than before. There were 37 races in 2012 and 40 in 2016.

Shiffrin also talks about what she sees as the strong supporting act at the World Cup. “In addition to the media events and awards ceremonies, there is a full evening program – and that is during the only 60 or 90 minutes of the weekend when we can eat or relax.”

Two downhill training sessions and three speed races are on the program in Crans-Montana. The award ceremonies (top 6) will also take place on the ice rink on Friday and Saturday from 6:30 PM, followed by the drawing of the starting numbers (top 10 of the discipline World Cup starting list). Is that too much?

Okay, I was trying to be considerate

“The time we have to relax is becoming less and less,” Lara Gut-Behrami (32) said recently. Marco Odermatt (26) spoke out in the Luzerner Zeitung in favor of only “one public announcement of the ranking and draw of starting numbers per World Cup location in the evening”.

Kondi trainer Florian Lorimier, who cares for Camille Rast (24) and Justin Murisier (32), among others, says: “I understand the athletes’ criticism. Because neurological fatigue should not be underestimated. It’s about the unconscious reflexes that play an important role during a race.”

In Crans-Montana they are not thinking about adjusting the program. “We expect 3,000 spectators each time, these will be popular festivals. It is important that fans can also experience the ski aces without a helmet,” says OC vice-boss Hugo Steinegger. Still, we try to do everything quickly.

It’s better with a smile

Diegoüger, co-CEO of Swiss Ski, has a clear position: “Sport is also entertainment, the evening events are just part of that. You should not overload the athletes – at the same time it is fun for them to see how ski racing moves the masses. Then there are the TV stations and the sponsors – they are a driving force in skiing and need visibility.”

Slalom veteran Didier Plaschy (50) agrees. “If you approach these obligations with a smile and friendliness, everything will be easier anyway,” says the Valais.

Source : Blick