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Usually the arrival area in “Chuenisbärgli” is a cauldron. This year, however, there will be an eerie calm.
The scenery is hard to imagine: the World Cup races in Adelboden closed to the public. The three races, two giant slalom and one slalom, end in an almost deserted finish area, where thousands of spectators often cheer on the riders in and next to the impressive grandstand.
From a Swiss perspective in particular, the folk festival avoided by the corona pandemic is a disgrace. After the slalom specialists, the giant slalom pilots are once again among the stars after years of extras. Firstly Marco Odermatt, who shone in previous races with 2nd, 3rd, 1st and 4th places.
Odermatt wants to “stay cool”
In view of his best performances, one almost forgets a little that the 23-year-old from Nidwalden still has relatively little World Cup experience. In the “Chuenisbärgli”, Odermatt has been so far tenth in the statistics. Now travels with the discipline leader’s red starting number.
“The fact that I was only there once in race two doesn’t change anything,” says Odermatt calmly. He also doesn’t want to overestimate the lack of viewers. It’s not always beautiful. But maybe it’s a little easier because you feel a little less pressure, ”says Nidwalden.
Murisier: After Christmas also a birthday present?
Justin Murisier feels less pressure than already. Shortly before the festive season, the Valaisan had given himself an early Christmas present in Alta Badia with his first World Cup podium. «I have fulfilled a lifelong dream. The pressure I put on now is a little less high, ”says the 28-year-old.
Murisier feels a bit sad about the empty target area. “It is a shame that my family cannot be there. I celebrate my birthday on Friday, ”said the Valaisian.
Murisier and his teammates will have two chances this year to end the long wait for a podium spot at the Adelboden “Giant”. It has been 13 years since the local athletes put their stamp on the classic. In January 2008 Marc Berthod and Daniel Albrecht achieved a double success.
