Swiss Ski Ace Dominates: "One Best Time After Another"
After the training camp in Chile, the Swiss coach provides insight into his team's form. One athlete particularly stood out, and it wasn't Odermatt.
The Swiss skiers should already be prepared for the upcoming winter!
The team completed its preparations in Valle Nevado, Chile. Franjo von Allmen apparently set the pace there. As Swiss speed coach Reto Nydegger told "Blick," he "set one best time after another." Furthermore, he improved once again and also became significantly more consistent.
The 25-year-old won three gold medals at the Olympic Games. The actual speed specialist also already issued a challenge to the competition. As he announced on Instagram, he has also worked extensively on his giant slalom skills (More on this >>>).
Odermatt Had "A Few Really Good Days" After Injury
Overall World Cup winner Marco Odermatt was also able to join training after his delayed arrival. "I had a few really good training days here," he said after recovering from his muscle injury.
Head coach Tom Stauffer added: "We had too few sessions with Marco to be able to work truly specifically."
Despite von Allmen's very strong performances, the other Swiss athletes also appear to be in good form. It's not as if "Franjo left everyone else miles behind in training; the rest of the team isn't far off in terms of time."
Weather Only Partially Played Along
An international showdown was cancelled due to unsuitable weather conditions. Dominik Paris was actually supposed to train with the team for two days.
Overall, the conditions were variable. However, this was not necessarily a disadvantage. "In winter, we also have to perform in different conditions," Nydegger explained, adding: "Last year in Chile, we were able to train every day in the best weather. This time, the conditions were varied. Initially, it was a little too soft, then we enjoyed top days, before it was too warm recently."
The first real test for Odermatt and Co. will be on October 25 in Sölden. A giant slalom will take place in Austria, before things get serious for the speed specialists from November 28 (Copper Mountain).
