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“Even seasoned downhill skiers shit themselves here”

Mathias Graf wants to go all out again in Idre, Sweden.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

While the alpine skiers are competing in their grand finale in Saalbach this weekend and the ski jumpers are taking off once again in Planica, the ski crossers are getting down to business once again in Idre, Sweden. Right in the middle of it all: Mathias Graf, who is on the hunt for his podium finish of the season.

"The obstacles on the home straight here are as high as a house, even experienced downhillers are shitting themselves in the air," said Mathias Graf after he finished sixth in the qualifiers for the start of the World Cup final in Idre, Sweden - often referred to as the "Kitzbühel of ski crossers".

The obstacles on the course in Sweden are impressive.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Speed fits, racing luck is still missing
"I know that I have the speed to be among the front runners," says the 28-year-old from Dornbirn, who is still waiting for his first appearance in a major final this winter and has three fifth places as his best results so far.

Already in the top field in qualifying
If the qualifying results counted, the Kästle pilot would be right at the top with 670 points. For comparison: Switzerland's Alex Fiva, who leads the World Cup, has 628 points ahead of the final two races of the season in Idre. "The good thing is that I never got into a negative spiral and slowed down this season despite a lack of racing luck," explains Graf. "Others would be happy if they - like me - were able to race so far up front in their second World Cup season. It's still a learning process for me. Maybe I'll be able to really attack in my third year."