The spectators in Garmisch-Partenkirchen saw the first of two Super-G competitions on Saturday and were not disappointed. In an exciting race, three surprise men prevailed. Nils Allegre won ahead of the Italian Guglielmo Bosca (+0.18) and Loic Meillard (+0.25). Although Marco Odermatt completed a strong Swiss result in fourth place, the house blessing was lopsided for many Swiss.
Because the spring-like conditions took a toll on the slopes in southern Germany. Brownish spots were repeatedly visible on the TV broadcasts; at the finish, everything was green except for the narrow strip of piste. Although the organizers tried everything, the surface was not worthy of a World Cup race, at least Justin Murisier said. “This competition was not worthy of the World Cup. That was worse than an FIS race,” said the 14th in the race.
Green light came late
On Saturday morning, race director Markus Waldner even leaned towards canceling the Super-G, but after the slope had been prepared with a lot of salt and water, the green light was given. “First of all, I would like to compliment the piste crew for managing to prepare a piste that lasted so long under the most difficult conditions. But: The course setting was too simple, this run only contained a maximum of five real curves,” said ski star Odermatt to Schweizer Blick. “The snow was also extremely slow and soft. When I pushed at the start, my poles collapsed about 30 centimeters. When I scored the second goal I felt like I was after après-ski in spring.”
The leader in the overall World Cup does not understand the scheduling of the speed double in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. “I can understand the people in the OK that they want to hold World Cup races on this historic route. But the goal here is only 700 meters. Therefore, the chance that the temperatures will be low enough at this time of year is relatively small. And in my opinion it shouldn’t be the case that we drive Super-G on a salt slope at the end of January.” Rather, a slalom would be more suitable for this salt slope, said the Swiss.
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