Prelude to the World Cup in Arosa – skiers want to reap the rewards after perfect preparation – sport

The new season for skiers begins on Tuesday in Arosa. In Corona times, every race is the highlight.

Accept the circumstances and take the things that you can influence. With this motto, skiers will start the season late on Tuesday in Arosa. The Freestyle World Cup in China has already had to be canceled due to the corona pandemic. It’s still open if a replacement organizer will be found.

The fact that the new World Cup season begins with two sprint races at Arosa, one on Tuesday night and one on Wednesday night, is therefore doubly important for the Swiss team, which is suitably powerful. The anticipation is great despite the lack of spectators. “At Arosa, the Swiss have at least someone at every door to cheer us on,” joked Fanny Smith.

The 28-year-old from Vaud is also one of the main contenders for the podium this winter. He can boast 23 World Cup victories, plus 21 more places on the podium. Consistency has been Smith’s great strength in recent years, and he wants to build on this.

Regez loves Constance, Fiva is ‘laughing’

You can also look forward to Marie Karolina Krista’s performances at the Swiss camp. The 18-year-old from Bern won the gold medal at the Youth Olympic Games last January.

Ryan Regez wants to confirm his second place overall in last year’s Swiss men’s race. And the 34-year-old veteran Alex Fiva, who has been in the World Cup since 2008, is also playing with one or another maximum result.

Two Swiss ski athletes will not be in Graubünden: Marc Bischofberger, silver winner from Pyeongchang, is still injured in his shoulder. Romain Détraz missed the entire season due to a torn cruciate ligament.

Perfect preparation in Laax

Due to an acute lack of snow, the Swiss skiers did not train in Sweden, but after the usual block at Saas-Fee in Laax. In the freestyle mecca of Graubünden, a cross track was built without further ado, which the Swiss could use for the second training block. According to Ralph Pfäffli, the emergency plan worked perfectly. “We have trained better in Laax than anywhere else,” said the national skiers coach.