Marco Odermatt, Switzerland has been waiting for a Swiss giant slalom victory at Chuenisbärgli in Adelboden since Marc Berthod’s win in 2008. Friday and Saturday offer the Swiss team the next two opportunities to end this dry spell...
Daniel Yule already prepared the way with the slalom win at Chuenisbärgli last year and put an end to a prolonged dry spell for the Swiss on this mountain. Based on performance so far, the signs are also looking very promising. Of course, winning at Chuenisbärgli is a dream for any giant slalom skier. All great Swiss giant slalom skiers like Marc Berthod, Didier Cuche, Mike von Grünigen and Pirmin Zurbriggen have left their mark on this slope and joined the list of winners. The entire Swiss giant slalom team is highly motivated. We are an excellent team and we will give our best as a team.
Last year, because of my knee injury, I had to follow the race as a spectator in the finish area. But I shared in the thrills with my team mates all the same. As a “fan”, I was far tenser than I would have been if I had been competing myself. So I am all the more looking forward to the two giant slalom races as an active contender and to the slalom as a TV spectator in Adelboden. For me, the anticipation before a race is something wonderful.
How has the giant slalom team been preparing and do you also feel the pressure of expectations?
Much of the giant slalom team has been training brilliantly and fully focused at Reiteralm in Schladming until Wednesday morning. LoïcMeillard and Daniel Yule were still in Zagreb for the slalom on Wednesday.
Over the years, I have been able to deal with the pressure very well. This season, I have gained new positive experience again in completely new pressure situations for me. Whether as a frontrunner in the giant slalom rankings or as the leader after the first run, I concentrate on executing the best two runs I can – my race. Ski races are actually not that complicated. There is no need to make them sound more complex than they are. Every skier will give it his best at Chuenisbärgli; I will be no exception.
At the time of the last win by Marc Berthod, you were just over 10 years old. Can you still remember it?
I can still remember it well because I broke my arm a little later. One year later, I met Marc Berthod for a souvenir picture together. I have watched the race footage of Marc Berthod’s winning run back then many times.
How would you characterise the Chuenisbärgli course?
Chuenisbärgli is one of the Ski World Cup classics and one of the most difficult giant slalom pistes in the World Cup. The top part of the course slopes down slightly to the side, making the left turn particularly challenging. After the start, it quickly turns quite steep into the “Kanonenrohr”, the first key section. The top part of the course is shaded and quite icy most of the time. On the flatter “Schnittenmedli”, the course is often rough. Between “Wintertal” and “Chälä”, it’s critical to build up speed. This is followed by a short flat section before the steep run down to the finish. Normally, a noisy crowd of up to 35,000 ski fans cheers you on. This year, it will be a little different without the spectators, but that takes nothing away from my motivation. We will give our best for our Swiss ski fans. And thanks to the main Swiss ski sponsor Swisscom, a number of fans will also be in the finish area virtually on the big screen.
How does the piste look in Adelboden right now?
The conditions are perfect. It has snowed again in the last few days. The finishing touches are now being put on the course, allowing us to start on Friday with perfect conditions.
Interview: Claudio Beccarelli
