2024-02-10 07:32:49
The Swiss Marko Odermat is riding the wave of a wildly successful performance so far in the Ski World Cup. He arrived in Bansko with the intention of continuing this line. Odermatt was kind enough to answer 24 Chasa’s questions.
– Marko, Bansko is one of the few resorts where you didn’t win, you only got second place. What attitude did you come here with?
– It would be wonderful to leave Bansko with a victory, but we must not forget that there are still many boys who want to be at the top. Bansko is a place we don’t know that well because we are not here every year. Therefore, it is extremely important that we do a good inspection on Saturday morning and choose the perfect tactics for the race.
– How do you feel in Bulgaria, you are here for the third time and maybe you will be lucky.
– Yes, that’s right – I’m here for the third time. There is always some change for the better. I really like coming here. In Bansko it is very different from the resorts we usually drive to. It is very nice to have competitions in different places. I remember the atmosphere here a few years ago. The people were amazing – downright fanatical, and that’s why I really like it.
– Do you sometimes think about all the records you can break? As number of World Cups, Stenmark’s for back-to-back giant slalom victories.?
– No, I don’t think about them. I already have some very nice records from last season. Therefore, these are not important to me. I just want the win. When I’m at the start, my only thought is to win the race. You win a race, you score points, you win world cups and everything falls into place.
– You are an Olympic champion. What would you prefer – the Olympic gold or the big crystal globe?
– It is very difficult to compare these two things. Feelings are different. Winning the Olympic title is an incredible emotion as it only happens once every four years. You never know if you’ll do it again. You have no idea if you will be at the same high level or not. The big crystal globe means you’re simply the best skier in the world. And in all disciplines for one season. This as an achievement is perhaps much greater, but Olympic gold is a completely different emotion.
– Everyone is asking when are you going to get your slalom skis out?
– Maybe never. I take them out for training, once or twice a season. But it won’t be a competition. Our calendar is too full anyway. I love my three disciplines, the schedule is busy and because of that I don’t plan to race in slalom anymore.
– Are there any other sports you follow?
– Yes, I love and watch a lot. Mostly tennis and football. I’m not that keen, I’m just keeping track.
– Do you have a favorite football team?
– I don’t have any. I follow the Swiss league and the Champions League, but I don’t have a specific team.