2024-10-25 21:35:00
“I am convinced that we have a very good team structure, which is one of the key points. We still have a lot of work to do in the technical area, but we are on the right track,” said Perner, who succeeded Karlheinz Pichler, who moved to Germany. “We have a tour ahead of us, the first stage starts on Saturday.”
The Styrian is also setting the bar high with regard to the home World Championships in Saalbach: “Yes, I want a medal. Point. End. “Off.” He also wants to transfer this attitude to his protégés. His core group consists of Julia Scheib, Stephanie Brunner, Ricarda Haaser and the currently injured Elisabeth Kappaurer.
Scheib as the greatest hope
Many people are hoping that Scheib will do great things in the near future. The Styrian is considered a great talent, but serious knee injuries have set her back in the past. Now she has “really built up good consistency” through training, said the 26-year-old, who has been pain-free for some time.
“It could be a very good season. But it’s definitely not a walk in the park, there are very good runners at the start,” emphasized Scheib, who wants to regularly be in the top five. “To finish with a tenth, eleventh or twelfth place and shout yay – definitely not.”
Brunner and Gritsch with new material
Brunner was fourth ahead of Scheib in the last RTL in Saalbach and was therefore the best Austrian. She would like to continue there, said the Tyrolean, who changed supplier over the summer and is now skiing with Head-Ski again. “That would be the wish. “We’ll see on Saturday where we all stand,” said Brunner. “We don’t know anything – that’s always the exciting thing.”
Franziska Gritsch is also on the move with a new ski brand – Blizzard. “I’m really looking forward to a new season and hope I can be fast,” said the Sölden native before her home race. The environment has remained the same: Gritsch forms a private team with her partner and trainer Florian Stengg and her service man. “The collaboration is really cool, we are all very motivated.”
For Katharina Liensberger, it’s primarily about finding security and trust again. “I want to approach it with ease so that I can bring what I can into the race,” said the Vorarlberg woman, who won the giant slalom bronze in Cortina d’Ampezzo in 2021. Haaser, Lisa Hörhager, Katharina Huber and Katharinarupp are also at the start for the Ski Austria team.
Shiffrin as favorite
The favorite for the opening race is Mikaela Shiffrin, who is hunting for her 98th World Cup success. The American is competing in her first RTL since January 20th in Jasna. Shortly afterwards she fell in the Cortina downhill run and after her knee and ankle injuries had healed, she only competed in slaloms.
“To be honest, I’m doing very well at the moment. But I don’t know what that means for race day,” said the two-time Sölden winner when asked about her RTL form. At the end of last season, the giant slalom “felt so far away. But now I’m feeling really good physically and mentally.”
The opposite applies to overall World Cup winner Lara Gut-Behrami, who suffered from a long-term flu before the start of the World Cup and therefore had to miss three weeks of training. “I wish I could say I’m doing great. But the last month has been challenging. I was sick, I was in pain,” said the 33-year-old. She couldn’t draw on the previous season. “Last year’s successes actually bring more fatigue than anything else. I notice I’m not really fresh.”
1729899616
#ÖSV #ladies #optimistic #Sölden
Interview with Christian Perner, Coach of the ÖSV Women’s Ski Team
Date: October 25, 2024
Editor: Thank you for joining us today, Christian. As the head coach of the ÖSV women’s ski team, what are your key goals for the upcoming season?
Christian Perner: Thank you for having me. I am convinced that we have a very good team structure in place, which is crucial for our success. While there’s still plenty of work to do in the technical aspect, I genuinely believe we are on the right track. One of our primary goals is to secure a medal at the home World Championships in Saalbach. I want that to be clear: we’re aiming for medals, end of story.
Editor: You have a promising group of athletes, especially Julia Scheib, who has faced challenges in the past. How do you see her performance this season?
Christian Perner: Julia is indeed one of our greatest hopes. After dealing with serious knee injuries, she has built up great consistency in her training and is now pain-free. She knows that finishing in the top ten isn’t enough for her; she’s set her sights on being in the top five regularly. That kind of ambition is what we want in this team.
Editor: That’s an inspiring mindset! Looking at your other athletes, Stephanie Brunner and Franziska Gritsch have also been making headlines. What can you tell us about their preparations?
Christian Perner: Both Stephanie and Franziska have made significant changes over the summer. Stephanie has switched back to Head-Ski and is excited to show what she can do—especially since she was the best Austrian in our last RTL in Saalbach. Franziska is also with a new brand, Blizzard, and she’s looking forward to a faster season. They all bring a lot of motivation and focus to the team.
Editor: The upcoming tour starts this Saturday. What are your expectations going into the first stage?
Christian Perner: Every season brings excitement, and this year is no different. We’re all eager to see where we stand against our competitors. It’s always unpredictable, and that’s part of what makes this sport so thrilling. We’ll be heading to the hill with our best foot forward.
Editor: Thank you, Christian, for sharing your insights and goals for the season. We wish you and the team great success in the upcoming competitions!
Christian Perner: Thank you! We appreciate the support and are looking forward to making this a memorable season.
Editor: You mentioned your ambitious targets. What does that translate to in terms of expectations from your team during the season?
Christian Perner: The expectations are definitely high. Success doesn’t just happen; it requires hard work and dedication both on and off the slopes. I expect our team to challenge the best, consistently perform at a high level, and of course, be in medal contention. We all know that the competition is fierce, but it’s all about pushing each other to be better.
Editor: With this being the inaugural season under your coaching, how important is it for you to instill confidence in your athletes?
Christian Perner: Building confidence is essential. I want my athletes to trust in their abilities and the training we’ve implemented. It’s about creating a positive environment where they feel secure in taking risks and expressing themselves on the slopes. Confidence comes from preparation, and I believe we’ve set the groundwork for that.
Editor: Two athletes, Stephanie Brunner and Franziska Gritsch, have switched to new ski brands this season. How do you see these changes impacting their performance?
Christian Perner: New equipment can certainly affect performance. Both Stephanie and Franziska are excited about their new gear, which can inspire them to push their limits. We’ve worked closely with them to ensure they transition smoothly, and I’m optimistic that with the right mindset and approach, this change will yield positive results.
Editor: Lastly, there’s a lot of buzz around Mikaela Shiffrin as she aims for her 98th World Cup victory. How do you plan to prepare your team to compete against such formidable athletes?
Christian Perner: Competing against someone like Mikaela is both a challenge and an opportunity. It forces our team to raise their game. We’ll focus on our strengths, stick to our strategy, and embrace the competition. Moreover, it’s about learning from the best – watching how she approaches her training and races can be incredibly beneficial for our athletes.
Editor: Thank you, Christian. We wish you and the team a successful season ahead!
Christian Perner: Thank you! We appreciate the support.
