Alpine boss clear

No Zermatt training: “This borders on blackmail!”

Wolfgang Maier sharply criticizes the decision of Zermatt Bergbahnen AG.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

The decision by Zermatt Bergbahnen AG to no longer make training slopes available to World Cup athletes next winter has caused quite a stir in the ski world. Germany's Alpine boss Wolfgang Maier even speaks of "blackmail".

After the Matterhorn downhill runs were removed from the 2023 World Cup calendar following the bankruptcy, the organizers responded a few days ago with a training ban in the summer, although this should not be seen as a tit-for-tat, as head of organization Franz Julen emphasizes. 

However, Maier doesn't quite believe him. "This decision by Zermatt borders on blackmail," the 63-year-old told the Swiss newspaper "Blick". Austria's downhill boss Sepp Brunner also dislikes the Swiss decision, as it is the most damaging for the Swiss. 

Odermatt must go to South America
The "no" in Zermatt means that Marco Odermatt and Co. no longer have the only opportunity for glacier speed training in Europe. As a result, the Swiss athletes will probably be heading to South America this summer.

A total of four races were scheduled on the Matterhorn for the 2023/24 season in November, but due to repeated weather problems, not a single competition was able to take place.