ALPINE SKI WORLD CUP. The top of the results board at the end of Friday’s downhill training run in Lake Louise was like an Austrian World Cup flashback - with Klaus Kroell, Michael Walchhofer and Mario Scheiber sitting 1-2-3.

“We hope we’ll have the same result tomorrow but it’s only training, but we’ll push. My run was good, I didn’t make mistakes and I had a good feeling on the icy parts. The course was okay, light was okay, not too much snow, not too bumpy, it should be good for tomorrow,” Kroell said.

As Kroell pointed out, training runs don’t always translate into victories on race day. But still, it was clear that the entire Austrian contingent was very pleased with their results on this day - none more so than Walchhofer who will be retiring from the World Cup after the end of the season.

“It was very important for me to have a good last training run. The first part was more icy than last year here so it’s maybe a little more difficult. I feel good, the skis worked well and I think things are looking good for tomorrow. It's my last racing season so I don’t miss the motivation. It would be good (to win here) my last victory was a long time ago in 2003 so it would be great, not just for me but for the entire Austrian team because our last victory (in downhill) was maybe two years ago,” said Walchhofer in a cautiously optimistic tone.

Optimism has been in short supply on the Austrian ski front over the last few seasons as the team has been under extreme scrutiny by the country’s press corps and the millions and millions of fans who follow the sport like a religion in the tiny alpine country that gave birth to the sport at the turn of the last century.

Austria’s last downhill victory was 20 months ago when Kroell won in Kvitfjell, Norway. Since then, nothing - and “nothing” means pressure when you ski with Austrian ski colours on your race suit.

This pressure was ratcheted up a big notch during the 2010 Winter Olympics in Whistler . When high expectations for a big medal haul never materialized the result was open rebellion and vicious criticism of the athletes and the Austrian ski federation by media and fans alike.

“We had a lot pressure last year and we didn’t ski so good under this pressure but now its better and we’re in good shape,” Walchhofer said when asked if he was feeling any heat from the press and fans back home.

Kroell agreed and said no one wants to win more than the athletes on the team.

“The pressure is higher, it’s normal I think, everyone wants us to win, but its our goal too, to win the races and we will see tomorrow if we can.”

Oddly enough even one of Kroell and Walchhofer’s competitors wants Austria’s ski team to be successful - albeit in a semi-serious-tongue-in-cheek manner.

“I think they’re trying very hard to prove something - that they’re back on top. But I think we need to almost let them go on top because if they’re not on top then Austrians don’t watch ski racing and then ski racing is over! I’m not necessarily saying we’re letting be on top, but I don’t think it’s a bad thing either.,” a grinning Osborne-Paradis said with a huge laugh.

By Michael Mastarciyan
FISaslpine.com
Friday 26 November 2010