Brennsteiner and Co.

The long preparation after the preparation

Stefan Brennsteiner(Bild: GEPA pictures)

After the long preparation time for Sölden, the next extra-long preparation time awaits the giant slalom skiers.

Marko Pfeifer (50) has been skiing on all the slopes in the world for decades and knows all the slopes, conditions and conditions - but it's rarely as wonderful as these days on the glacier in Sölden. "Unbelievable", the Austrian boss had to admit. So it's only logical that everyone who's anyone in local skiing still flocks to the Rettenbachferner even after the World Cup has kicked off. It offers something for everyone. The fast ÖSV team used the race slope for speed training yesterday. Manuel Feller, Fabio Gstrein and their colleagues were practising slalom gates elsewhere. And Noël Zwischenbrugger, Patrik Feurstein and Stefan Brennsteiner devoted themselves to a super-G course.

Marko Pfeifer(Bild: GEPA)

Speaking of Brennsteiner: he is still hurting from his elimination on Sunday. Because "Brandy" had the second-best time in the second intermediate time of the first run. "Beaten" only by Marco Odermatt, who was also eliminated, faster than the half-time leader and eventual winner Alexander Steen Olsen. Hätti wari. The head coach sees it that way ("The door for a top result was wide open"), Brennsteiner also shrugs his shoulders: "I knew that I was skiing well and was very stable. But what's the point?"

What exacerbates the woes of the unfortunately-no-Sölden-Stockerl skier: the next giant slalom is scheduled for 8 December in Beaver Creek. This means for Brennsteiner and all other specialists: after the long preparation time for Sölden, the next extra-long preparation time awaits. Over five weeks without a race! No, that doesn't make your heart beat faster.