Scheib is the ÖSV's Insurance Policy
Last year's winner, globe winner – expectations for Julia Scheib before the season opener were (rightfully) enormous. Hopes for another victory in Sölden were dashed for the Styrian and the red-white-red fans on the steep slope – a DNF.
That Scheib is the ÖSV's insurance policy for success in giant slalom became clear afterwards: Not a single ÖSV athlete qualified for the second run. The only Austrian in the final standings was Franziska Gritsch (9th), but she trains with a private team outside of the ÖSV.
What makes one confident for the upcoming races: Scheib was the fastest until her dropout.
Aicher's Statement in the Overall World Cup
It was already clear before the opener in Sölden that Emma Aicher would have a significant say in the Overall World Cup this season.
However, with the first giant slalom podium finish of her career, the 22-year-old German immediately made a strong statement regarding the big crystal globe in the very first race – while her competitor Mikaela Shiffrin failed to carry her halfway lead at the Rettenbachferner to the finish line and "only" placed seventh.
"With four disciplines, it's very clear that this is a goal, I think," says Aicher in her usual dry manner about the Overall World Cup. The DSV athlete wants to compete in all 40 World Cup races this winter, more than any other female athlete.
It remains to be seen how many slaloms Shiffrin will actually skip in the end. Last season, only 87 points separated the two.
ÖSV Men: Ambition and Reality
"Our ambition should be to approach every race with the intention of winning. And that starts in Sölden," trumpeted ÖSV Men's Head Coach Marko Pfeifer before the start of the season.
The will to win was largely present among the ÖSV athletes, perhaps too pronounced in some cases. Victory contender Marco Schwarz was eliminated in the first run; according to his own statement, he chose a "too audacious" line. Stefan Brennsteiner, still on course for a podium at halftime, ended up helpless and in eleventh place.
The best Austrian was Raphael Haaser in fifth, but red-white-red was quite far from victory. "You can see that we have a team, which is good. But of course, we wanted to be on the podium or win. Last year it was very good here, this year perhaps a bit of a bumpy start," summarized ÖSV Alpine Director Christian Mitter.
Ramba-Samba Right from the Start
What a statement from Lucas Braathen right in the first race of the season. The Olympic champion seamlessly picked up where he left off last winter, leaving the competition in awe and the Brazilian flags waving wildly. It was Ramba-Samba time at the Rettenbachferner!
This time, even the three-time Sölden triumphator Marco Odermatt was powerless. The Swiss, who says himself that he is no longer in top form as two years ago, will also have to brace himself in the Overall World Cup.
Braathen makes no secret of the fact that he wants to win the big crystal globe. "For me, it's only natural. I was second last year. One of my biggest goals is to bring home the Overall World Cup before I'm done with skiing," said the Brazilian, who also wants to collect points in Super-G this season.
"I feel that I am at a stage in my career where I am capable of it. So, let's go."
Ski Racing Continues to Draw Crowds
Record heat here, climate crisis there – Austria remains a winter sports nation. The past weekend proved this once again.
Whether a World Cup opener in October with all its associated phenomena is still timely, everyone can decide for themselves. Among ski fans, this question hardly seems to arise. According to organizer figures, a total of almost 29,000 spectators flocked to the Rettenbach Glacier despite sometimes uncomfortable weather conditions.
That was still a good 2,300 fewer than in the previous year.
