Sobering situation

Even Spain and Lithuania start ahead of Austria

Raphael Riederer was the first ÖSV starter in the European Cup giant slalom.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

While the Alpine World Ski Championships open in Saalbach on Tuesday and the medals in the team competition are up for grabs right at the start, the youngsters are fighting for important points in the European Cup. However, as in the World Cup, things are not looking particularly good for Austria - at least in the men's giant slalom.

Seven Swiss, six Norwegians and six Italians, four French, two Swedes, two Spaniards (!) and two Americans as well as one German, one Canadian and one Lithuanian started the first of two European Cup giant slaloms in Soldeu (And), before Noel Zwischenbrugger was the first Austrian to take his turn with number 33. Or rather: it would have been his turn!