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Third in Alta Badia, ninth in Madonna di Campiglio, third in Zagreb, first in Adelboden, third and second in Flachau and most recently triumphant in the Night Race in Schladming: Marco Schwarz’s record of the slalom season is impressive.
Not surprisingly, the man in the red jersey is the co-favorite in both Chamonix slalom races today (9.30am and 12.30pm, ORF 1) and Sunday (9.30am and 12.30pm, ORF 1). It is the technical rehearsal for the Cortina d’Ampezzo world championship (as of February 8).
Villacher, 25, doesn’t want to spend too much on title fights, but he already has the crystal on his head. Winning the small ball in the slalom is a great goal, which seems absolutely realistic in view of a 131 point credit over Sebastian Foss-Solevaag (Nor). A preliminary decision could be made during the weekend, especially since after the World Cup only goal runs in Kranjska Gora and Lenzerheide (World Cup finals) are on the program.
“Chamonix could also suit me very well, the field is flatter, similar to Zagreb,” said Schwarz, who has had his World Cup ticket in his pocket for a long time. The same goes for Flachau champion Manuel Feller, who wants to get back on track after the bitter failure at the Planai (after the advantage at halftime). The supposed third slalom starter at Cortina is probably Michael Matt, who has two fourth places. At Schladming he failed after a third place finish in the first round of the final. That hurts.
The duel for fourth place in the World Championship is probably Fabio Gstrein (Flachau fifth) against Adrian Pertl, who was lurking as tenth at the Planai. The 24-year-old Carinthian traveled to Chamonix, a French community of almost 9,000 inhabitants at the foot of Mont Blanc, with fond memories. Last year, Pertl finished third on the podium.
