2023-11-17 11:15:00
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In the very first slalom in Gurgl, the men finally start the Ski World Cup. Some drivers from the Swiss team think they have a chance.
On Saturday, the ski racers will finally get serious when, following a long delay due to the cancellation of the giant slalom in Sölden and the downhill runs in Zermatt/Cervinia, they will compete in their first World Cup race of the season.
So it happens that the starting shot goes off with a slalom in Gurgl, Austria. This is special for 2 reasons: Firstly, it is the first World Cup race ever to take place on the Kirchenkarpiste. Secondly, it is the earliest men’s slalom since the Levi race 5 years ago, which also took place on November 18th. In recent years, the first slalom races have usually not been held until December.
Live notice
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We will show the men’s slalom in Gurgl live on SRF two on Saturday as follows:
1st and 2nd run (10:30 a.m./1:30 p.m.)
Yule wants to deliver in Gurgl
The slope in Gurgl is one of the most challenging slalom slopes in the World Cup. The Swiss technicians Daniel Yule, Ramon Zenhäuser, Loïc Meillard, Marc Rochat and Luca Aerni agree on this. This might particularly suit Yule, as he is known to be particularly impressive on steep slopes. «The slope looked really good. Pretty steep and hard, even with some terrain in it,” said the 30-year-old from Valais.
Last winter, Yule achieved three slalom podiums, including victories in Madonna di Campiglio and Kitzbühel – an increase compared to 2021/22 (2nd and 3rd each). Romand also has a lot planned for the new season. “Now I have to deliver,” he said before the start of the season – even though he wasn’t one of the fastest in summer training ( once more): “My colleagues were a bit tough on me, but I’m happy with the preparation.”
Zenhäuser feels physically fit
Ramon Zenhäuser also experienced an increase in the last Slalom World Cup. Without a single podium finish in the 2021/22 season, things have recently been looking up once more for the tall Valais native. After a 2nd place in Schladming, Zenhäuser won 2 of the last 3 slaloms in Chamonix (FRA) and Soldeu (AND), making him the best Swiss pole artist of the winter.
The omens for the start in Gurgl are good – also because the 31-year-old feels physically fit once more, in contrast to the last two seasons: “I had great preparation and didn’t miss a day of training.” Nevertheless, it is important to take it “step by step”.
Meillard with anticipation following a failed start
The third best Swiss in the last slalom season was Loïc Meillard. The 27-year-old from Neuchâtel was already at the start of the canceled giant slalom in Sölden, which he was unable to finish due to a lost ski. “That’s part of it. But I was lucky and didn’t lose any points once morest the others.” Now he’s looking forward to a new, cool slope. The same thing happened to Marc Rochat, who made people sit up and take notice at the end of last season with his best career result, a 4th place in Soldeu.
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