Marco hat sich mit der Trennung vom Slalom – das war eine Riesenleidenschaft von ihm – schwer getan, das war ein Prozess.
This is, to some extent, also an acknowledgement of the all-rounder's limits. Training four disciplines and remaining competitive in all of them demands enormous resources. At a more advanced racing age and after a severe injury, the question of whether the greatest effort truly pays off becomes more important.
"With all the associated aspects, the planning and the FIS calendar, four disciplines are no longer manageable," says Schwarz. "At some point, I need to regenerate; I'm also already over 30. I also have an injury history behind me, so I simply have to be sensible."
"I'm not one to look for the easy way"
However, the switch to speed disciplines is by no means the comfortable alternative. Schwarz still has to make more developmental steps there than he would have had to in slalom. He is thus trading a piece of sporting security for a new opportunity.
"I'm not one to look for the easy way," says Schwarz when asked about the somewhat lower density in speed disciplines compared to slalom.
The emotional side of this decision should also not be underestimated. Anyone who trains a discipline for years, associates successes with it, and defines themselves through it, does not simply shed it like a pair of skis.
"Last season, he stood at the start of every race with the thought: Is this my last slalom here? Marco struggled with the separation from slalom – it was a huge passion of his – it was a process," explains ÖSV men's head coach Marko Pfeifer.
What Makes Schwarz a Good Speed Skier
Meanwhile, says Schwarz, he feels comfortable with the decision to have given up slalom.
"I'm looking forward to the new challenges. A lot of work still awaits me in Super-G and downhill so that I can compete reasonably well there. So I won't get bored."
Schwarz has already proven that he can do more than "just keep up" in the speed disciplines.
In December, he celebrated his first World Cup victory in Super-G in Livigno. Before his ACL tear, he finished in the top ten twice in downhill, narrowly missing a medal at the 2023 World Championships by placing fourth.
"He has an extremely good feel for letting the skis run. That is brutally crucial, especially in the speed disciplines. It made him fast from the start despite little effort. He brings the technical skill, but the feel with the inside ski is the decisive factor," explains Pfeifer, on what makes Schwarz a good speed skier.
The Globe as the Next Logical Goal
On Sunday, however, the Carinthian's giant slalom skills will be put to the test.
Last year, he finished second behind Marco Odermatt on the Rettenbachferner. His coach believes he can win this year – and achieve even more.
"We want him to compete for the Globe in giant slalom. He was on the podium last year, he won, so the next goal is the Globe in giant slalom and also in Super-G," Pfeifer clarifies.
However, the ÖSV head coach tempers expectations regarding the overall World Cup. "If everything goes perfectly for him, then yes, but otherwise others with two disciplines are currently still better."
