“Marco Schwarz, are you still a slalom skier at heart?”

The Alpine Ski World Cup is pitching its tents this week on the Rettenbachferner in Sölden. Marco Schwarz will take part in the first part of a mammoth program on Sunday. The 28-year-old all-rounder from Carinthia would like to take part in all 45 races this winter. During a media question and answer session, he blamed another Marco for being the favorite for the overall World Cup.

Question: Doing all the races is an ambitious goal. Can something like this really be done?

Marco Schwarz: I can handle this. As long as it works out, I’d like to try it. But when the focus shifts towards speed disciplines during the season and you only compete in slalom, you have to ask yourself whether that still makes sense. The slalom takes a lot of time until you can push yourself to the limit.

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Are you still a slalom skier at heart or are you already heading in a different direction?

That is hard to say. I still really enjoy slalom skiing, but the speed disciplines have a lot of appeal. I want to stick with it and take the next steps. This is a project that will last several years.

What is important if you want to compete in all disciplines?

The most important thing is to feel fit. Especially in the speed races you have to be fresh in your head, otherwise it becomes dangerous. Of course, if things are going well, everything becomes easier.

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Your Carinthian compatriot Matthias Mayer will be integrated into the ÖSV team as a consultant in the winter. What do you expect from him?

I’ve been able to learn a lot from him over the past few years, both in training and especially during the inspections before the races. I believe that many people will benefit from his input this year, since he is no longer driving and has more time for us.

When it comes to travel logistics from race to race: Will there be a special service for the frequent driver Marco Schwarz? Some Red Bull athletes always receive a helicopter or private plane from their sponsor…

This worked quite well last year. In the intensive phase you will have to think about how you can limit the travel effort as much as possible.

In the fight for the overall World Cup, there is one Swiss who will probably be very difficult to crack…

There is a Swiss, but also a Norwegian, a Frenchman… If Odi (note: the Swiss Marco Odermatt) is in the form he has been in the last two years, everything really has to come together to stand up to him can. When someone competes for victory in three disciplines, that is extraordinary. I don’t think you can plan for victory in the overall World Cup. This has to happen. It’s nice to be in the top ten in several disciplines, but ultimately it’s all about the big points.

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