Dealing with criticism

Venier: “I think they would get sick”

Stephanie Venier(Bild: GEPA)

Domestic female skiers regularly come in for heavy criticism. This is how Stephanie Venier and Ricarda Haaser deal with hate comments ...

Shortly before the start of the home World Championships, the mood barometer for the speed ladies is pointing downwards. Stephanie Venier knows that in Garmisch they were unable to meet their own expectations as well as those of the fans. "Of course they want to see better results. But I think it's a shame that we get torn apart like this." Because the criticism that the riders receive sometimes knows no bounds. Her response: "They should put themselves in the starting gate for an inspection. I think they would feel sick."

We are not lying on the couch and are not here to burn money, as is often written.

Ricarda Haaser

Team colleague Ricarda Haaser has a similar view. "We get criticism every day. From the coaches and outsiders. We also get better with this. But I can't take the nonsense that some people comment on seriously," says the 31-year-old.

Ricarda Haaser(Bild: GEPA)

"The others don't sleep either"
"We're not lying on the couch and we're not here to burn money, as is often written." Everyone gives 100 percent, but the air is very thin at the top of the world. "Everything has to fit together," says Haaser. "But of course: only podium places count for us too. Victories even more so. And the others aren't sleeping either."

There are still a few days off before the World Championships. "Take off the microcosm of skiing and start with new motivation," says head coach Roland Assinger, who is busy himself. A night slalom is scheduled for Thursday in Courchevel (FRA).