Uproar at the World Cup finals in Saalbach: Gut-Behrami sends Kondi coach home

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On Sunday they were still in each other’s arms, but now they are at odds: Lara Gut-Behrami (32) and her Kondi trainer Alejo Hervas (48). As Blick heard, the southern Spaniard told her he wanted to quit. The woman from Ticino then immediately sent him home. How did the scandal arise?

The background to all this: Hervas’ successful work has attracted the interest of several foreign associations. But Swiss-Ski is also fighting for him. And because Kurt Kothbauer, the successful Kondi trainer of Marco Odermatt (26), told his protégé last week that he was looking for a new challenge, several athletes from the men’s team showed interest in Hervas joining their group. They knocked on his door. Hervas hesitated and asked for time to think about it, but then agreed.

Alpine director confirms interest

Hervas intended to inform Gut-Behrami only after the World Cup final in Saalbach (Austria). But she apparently got wind of it and confronted him. Hervas confirmed his move and she immediately sent him home disappointed. Swiss alpine director Hans Flatscher explains: “Alejo is interested in joining the Swiss-Ski men’s team. But nothing has been decided yet.” Discussions and group compositions for the 2024/25 season would only take place after the World Cup final.

The fact is: with Hervas, Gut-Behrami loses the man who put her back on the road to success after difficult years. She repeatedly emphasized how crucial he was to her soaring heights. A few days ago, Pauli Gut also praised Hervas: “He plays an important role in Lara’s success because he always tries to bring new input. By the way, he and Lara speak Spanish together, which she really likes.”

Hervas was like a lottery pick for Gut-Behrami

At the end of October, shortly after Gut-Behrami’s victory in the giant slalom in Sölden, Hervas told Blick: “We have an agreement. I will accompany you until the end of your career. There is no date yet, everything is in motion and they will decide when that happens.”

Gut-Behrami won two world titles, an Olympic victory and 23 World Cup victories with Hervas. Plus the Super-G crystal ball (last winter), the overall World Cup victory and the victory in the giant slalom discipline (last Sunday). Two more balls may be added in the coming days: in the Super-G and in the downhill.

Is the subject of dismissal finally off the table?

How important and how strong the bond of trust between Gut-Behrami and Hervas was is evident from the fact that she studied with him for two weeks in southern Spain last summer. She is now even more disappointed with his decision.

But something also becomes clear: contrary to what some speculation claims, Gut-Behrami will probably continue her career until the 2025 World Cup. Why else would she have reacted so strongly?

Source : Blick