Innsbruck (OTS) – After an Alpine World Cup winter with only seven victories and without a crystal ball, there is a need for action in the ÖSV. The massive structural change that has been introduced requires a system correction – the demands are well known.
Numbers don’t lie, they say. And if you assume that many things will even out over the winter – such as the weather, start number, slope conditions – then the conclusion is irrefutable: Austria has rid itself of the aura of being the number 1 alpine skiing nation – 2589 points behind Switzerland in the Nations Cup hurt and wonder in this clarity. Of course, two years before the home World Championships in Saalbach-Hinterglemm, the red-white-red alarm bells were ringing.
Even in detail, the World Cup statistics certify Austria little edifying. After 38 individual races, there are only two women’s and five men’s successes on the credit side. Consequently, in the fight for the crystal balls, everyone was collectively at a disadvantage. 25 podiums (7/10/8) mean the worst record since the 21 of the 1984/85 season (7/5/9). And the fact that the women’s Cornelia Hütter (14th) only made it into the top 15 in the overall standings is like a declaration of bankruptcy.
The mission was clear. To make the good even better. President Roswitha Stadlober and Patrick Ortlieb, the financial officer who is ultimately responsible for the alpine segment, left hardly a stone unturned in spring 2022. Sometimes out of necessity because almost the entire management team (Toni Giger, Patrick Riml, Andreas Puelacher and Christian Mitter) turned their backs on the association.
The enlargement of the training groups promoted by neo-alpin boss Herbert Mandl and neo-women’s racing manager Thomas Trinker proved to be counterproductive. The commitment of star trainer Livio Magoni as the only misunderstanding. And the fact that a US returnee, women’s downhill coach Alex Hödlmoser, is fleeing following a year, like his assistant coach Florian Scheiber, raises questions.
Especially how you want to get back on the road to success by the time of the 2025 home World Cup. The technical concept that still needs to be adapted, which is intended to draw a comprehensible thread from the state association level to the World Cup, will not bring regarding success overnight. The requirement to use young athletes earlier in the World Cup is also well known. Just like the constantly recurring call for stricter selection.
The fact that the women’s trio with Nadine Fest, Christina Ager from Tyrol and Michaela Heider leads the overall European Cup ranking gives hope. The fact that no ÖSV runner can be found in the top 3 means there is a need for discussion. There is still a lot to do there. And the clock is ticking until Saalbach 2025…
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