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Saturday, February 15, 2025

Are the Swiss Team Set to Shine at the Upcoming Ski World Championships in Austria? Key Questions and Insights Ahead of the Event

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The Swiss ski team is in peak form, dominating the World Cup with 14 victories and 42 podium finishes. Key athletes like Marco Odermatt and Lara Gut-Behrami are primed for medal opportunities in various events, although challenges exist in specific disciplines. This year’s World Championships in Saalbach feature new mixed-gender competitions and reduced events, while Austria anticipates a quieter atmosphere compared to previous championships. Saalbach is renowned for its extensive ski terrain and has a history of hosting successful events.

Is the Swiss Team Prepared for the World Championships?

Absolutely! The Swiss ski team has never been in better form. Both the men’s and women’s athletes have been dominating the World Cup circuit, boasting an impressive tally of 14 victories this winter and 42 podium finishes out of 46 races conducted so far. This remarkable performance translates to an average podium finish in nearly every competition, with a victory every third race. Currently, Switzerland holds a commanding lead in the nations ranking, far ahead of their long-standing rivals from Austria.

Do Swiss Athletes Have Medal Opportunities in Every Event?

Indeed, there are certain events where anything less than a medal would be seen as a letdown, given the strong representation by Swiss athletes. Conversely, some events hinge heavily on the performance of a single competitor.

The men’s downhill, super-G, and giant slalom are disciplines where Swiss athletes have excelled, securing 11 wins out of 16 races and achieving a total of 22 podium finishes. The women’s slalom team has also distinguished itself, clinching two victories and accumulating six top-3 results.

However, challenges arise in the men’s slalom and women’s giant slalom, where the podium finishes have been less frequent and the number of potential medalists is limited.

Who Are the Key Swiss Competitors?

Marco Odermatt is a standout competitor in downhill, super-G, and giant slalom, where he is currently leading the World Cup standings and is considered a frontrunner. Alongside him, Alexis Monney and Justin Murisier have also claimed victories in downhill events. Franjo von Allmen has made his mark as a three-time podium finisher and has a super-G win to his name, while Stefan Rogentin has finished on the podium twice in the same discipline. Loïc Meillard is another competitor to watch in both giant slalom and slalom.

On the women’s side, Camille Rast and Lara Gut-Behrami are making waves. Rast has already secured two slalom wins this season, while Gut-Behrami celebrated her first season victory in super-G at Garmisch-Partenkirchen, alongside podium finishes in downhill and giant slalom. Wendy Holdener is also in top form in slalom.

Corinne Suter, who faced a serious injury last winter, is showing promising recovery with recent podium finishes in super-G and downhill. Since 2019, she has consistently reached the podium in major events, boasting five speed medals from the last three World Championships and an Olympic gold in downhill from 2022.

Could This Be Switzerland’s Most Successful World Championship Yet?

The most successful World Championships to date were held in Crans-Montana in 1987, where the Swiss team brought home 14 medals, including 8 golds. For this year in Saalbach, it would take a perfect storm of performance for the Swiss team to replicate that success.

It’s important to note that direct comparisons are tricky, particularly as the combination event is no longer included. Based on this season’s results, the Swiss team would need to secure seven medals across slalom, giant slalom, super-G, and downhill to match their historic performance from the 1980s.

However, major competitions are often unpredictable, influenced by weather conditions and the daring performances of underdogs. Achieving seven medals would indeed be a remarkable success, marking a historic achievement not seen since the 1980s when excluding podium finishes in the combination or team events.

What’s New About This World Championship?

This year’s World Championship has introduced a significant change: the Alpine combination has been removed from the schedule. In its place, a new mixed-gender team combination event and a team parallel competition have been added, which reduces the total number of events from 13 to 11.

What is the Team Combination Event?

The team combination event is a fresh addition to this year’s Championships. One female athlete will compete in downhill while another takes on the slalom, with their times combined for a final score. This innovative format could attract attention, especially if star athletes like Lindsey Vonn and Mikaela Shiffrin participate. For Switzerland, the pairing of Odermatt and Meillard presents an exciting opportunity.

What is the Mood in Austria Ahead of the Home World Championships?

Austrian ski fans are approaching the World Championships with a sense of calm. With only two victories this season, expectations for the home team are tempered, despite extensive training on the championship course. The surrounding festivities will be on a smaller scale compared to the last Austrian World Championships in Schladming in 2013, which attracted 300,000 attendees. So far, around 100,000 tickets have been sold for Saalbach-Hinterglemm, with the technical weekend nearly sold out. Daily capacity is set for 15,000 spectators, with the fan mile located right in the village of Hinterglemm, promising a vibrant atmosphere.

What Should You Know About Saalbach?

The Ski Circus Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang “Fieberbrunn” ranks among Europe’s top ten ski areas, featuring 270 kilometers of slopes split between Salzburg and Tyrol. This venue previously hosted World Championships in 1991, where Switzerland secured six medals, including three golds—Franz Heinzer in downhill, Vreni Schneider in slalom, and Chantal Bournissen in the combination. Those Championships are fondly remembered for their perfect weather, although there were postponements due to unseasonably warm temperatures.

Where Will the Races Take Place?

Details on the specific slopes for the races will be revealed as the event approaches, ensuring that fans can anticipate the thrilling action ahead.

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