[ad_1]
Andreas Puelacher, ÖSV Men’s Race Director
© WHAT
Even without Marco Schwarz, who is infected with Corona, the Austrian men’s ski team awaits one or another final classification in the parallel race on Friday in Lech / Zürs. Only 16 athletes are in the decision (5:50 pm), Roland Leitinger was third in this discipline at Alta Badia last season. ÖSV men’s racing director Andreas Puelacher believes that many people at home are happy when “something real” is shown on television to make up for the movies.
Despite the lockdown, the best sports can take place in Austria. Despite massive hygiene and prevention regulations, it is not immune to Corona. As far as is known, the Swiss Loic Meillard, Marco Odermatt and Justin Murisier, as well as the South Tyrolean Manfred Mölgg, are infected by the male entourage, as far as is known. Alexis Pinturault had already been through the disease in the spring, Norwegian World Cup winner Aleksander Aamodt Kilde after the start of Sölden in October.
“You have to accept that whoever is missing is so bitter. But I think the sport should be continued as long as it is justifiable for health reasons,” Puelacher said in a telephone conversation with the APA – Austrian Press Agency. He is also currently like all ski fans, because in Austria spectators are not allowed on the slopes, only television viewers because he had to undergo surgery on his knee.
He knew from Schwarz that the course of the disease was mild, except for a sore throat, the carinthian felt no symptoms. “I’m glad there’s a smooth course at ‘Blacky’. But you don’t need to take Corona lightly anymore,” Puelacher also knows. Schwarz, a three-time World Cup medalist in 2019, was likely privately infected. There was no contact with teammates recently.
The different approaches of the authorities in different countries ensure discussions at the World Cup. As a result, the Swedes were excluded from women’s races at Levi after one coach tested positive, despite all having tested negative.
“It can hit you very stupidly like the Swedes. And you can’t help it if the respective government has requirements and sends everyone to quarantine. That cannot be foreseen, we have no influence on that,” Puelacher also knows. You can only try to protect yourself as best you can so as not to get the virus.
However, it is a bit absurd that you are not allowed to drive despite the negative test. “If that happens more often, it’s a distortion of the competition. Let’s see how many races are held with how many people. Then you can decide between fair and unfair.” According to World Ski Federation (FIS) regulations, seven of the top ten nations must be present for races to be counted for the World Cup. There is also an open back door there.
From a purely sporting point of view, the only parallel race of the season in addition to the World Cup awaits on Friday. The world ski association no longer calls it the giant parallel slalom, but wants to establish “PAR” as a brand. The same format with the same goal spacing, between 16 and 21m, will also be used at the World Championship in Cortina d’Ampezzo in February 2021.
“That is why we have already prepared especially for it, because there are also medals. We have also invested some time in training. A prognosis is impossible, just coming out of the pits ”, says Puelacher. “I have faith in those who are there. But it means being below 16 to qualify. One thing is clear, it can happen to anyone. I don’t dare make a forecast.”
Tech coach Marko Pfeifer explained that the goal gap had been specially trained. “It is a discipline in itself and each race is very tight. With one repetition it has become much fairer, because only a race like last year is pure lottery. To enter the main field, you have to perform well.”
Matthias Mayer knows that the parallel competition “is not the most important race of the year”, but it is good to be there. “I did some initial training sessions and made sure I was able to fix the gaps. The beginning is an important story, but after that it doesn’t end, there are still twenty goals, so it’s important to find the limit and get everything out.”
Christian Hirschbühl had a very short trip as a “local hero”. “The expectation is great to be able to run again,” said the technology specialist, who has recovered from his adductor injury. “When he’s still at the Ländle, of course, it’s special to me. I’m looking forward to the excitement of the race and the format.”
Roland Leitinger also looked forward with joy. “It’s always difficult, discipline, but of course also challenging, and that’s great,” said the Salzburg native. “Basically, it’s like a 200-meter race for athletes. You can’t split anything or drive tactically. Start off right, find a good time, and then find the fastest way down.”
ÖSV line-up for parallel races at Lech / Zürs on Friday (10:00 am qualifying / 5:50 pm final): Matthias Mayer, Vincent Kriechmayr, Roland Leitinger, Michael Matt, Christian Hirschbühl, Fabio Gstrein, Adrian Pertl, Dominik Raschner
[ad_2]
