Alpine World Championships: World Cup bronze: Straßer saves German ski team from Fiasko

Linus Straßer raised his skis and had the fans celebrate in the target area on the huge stands. The 32-year-old drove to bronze in the slalom of Saalbach-Hinterglemm and still provided a German medal on the last day of the World Cup. The German Ski Association (DSV) has a lot of work in front of him after atmospheric days on the Zwölferkogel – but the very big disgrace was spared him.

Olympic champion Noel Patzt in the final drama

“Insanely beautiful” the first individual medal feels at a major event, said Straßer. In 2021 in Cortina d’Ampezzo he won the World Cup bronze with the team, a year later at the Olympics in Beijing Team silver. Now he also succeeded in the long -awaited large solo coup – in one of the most exciting slaloms in winter, as sports director Wolfgang Maier found.

He was not sure whether his “brave trip” would be enough for a podium in the second run, said Straßer after the dramatic finale. In the end it looked more like fourth place – but then Clement Noel failed. The French Olympic champion, who led half -time, left out in the second round – and let the German ski team breathe a sigh of relief.

Loic Meillard won gold and thus the 13th medal for the Swiss outstanding at this World Cup. Silver went to Atle Lie McGrath from Norway.

Woman and daughter on the route

Straßer was the last hope of the Germans in the title fights in the Salzburg region. The DSV would have driven home from an alpine World Cup for the first time in 18 years without a single medal. But Straßer saved what was still to be saved. And then it was surprisingly clarified.

Ultimately, it was a race like many others, explained the Wahl Tyrolean. Only that there would be more attention. He is certainly also looking forward to the association after this medal. First and foremost, he takes the hardships and privation in order to be successful himself. Because of all the training, the races and the trips, he doesn’t see his family for six months, says Straßer. This time Ms. Maria and daughter Marta were very close to the finish line.

First medal -free World Cup since 2007 threatened

The first German zero number at an Alpine World Cup has been avoided since 2007 after Lena Dürr’s eighth place in the women’s slalom on Saturday. However, the DSV team has to increase in many areas.

Thanks to Straßer, the balance looks a little more positive, said Maier. The goal of two medals was missed at this World Cup. Over long distances, the performance in Austria was a “reflection of the season”, said the 64-year-old. The German team – the young Emma Aicher – sometimes showed “good approaches”, but too often the “punch on the podium” was missing. Straßer had him – and with the noel failure also the last necessary happiness.

Aicher one of the greatest bright spots

It was the conciliatory end of two disappointing weeks for the DSV. More than 170,000 spectators had visited the eleven competitions and provided a big ski party. The DSV was only allowed to celebrate at the very end.

Before that, there had only been a few bright spots. Especially Aicher, sixth in the Super-G and in the departure, gives hope for the future. Anton Grammel, who drove the best time in the second round of the giant slalom and almost reached the top ten, also indicated his potential.

The speed men, for example, have completely lost the connection – and were sharply criticized by coach Christian Schwaiger.

Dürr in focus – and too faulty

In addition to Straßer, Dürr was the largest German hope hope. The World Cup third of 2023, which previously had the only German World Cup podiums of the season, did not exactly have it easy, said Maier.

The 33 -year -old was always in focus – in the team event and in the combination with Aicher she failed. In the slalom, her strength had dropped out after a health setback.

To be mentally ready and to have the conviction of really going to the front – it is one of the tasks on which the Germans have to continue working. Dürr, Aicher, Straßer – they are the few top people in the team. But only one could ultimately show it at this World Cup.