The German alpine ski team faced a disappointing start at the World Championships, struggling with errors and failing to secure podium finishes. Lena Dürr initially expressed excitement about the opening ceremony, but subsequent performances, particularly from the men’s team, drew criticism. Women’s skier Kira Weidle-Winkelmann also felt let down despite her abilities. However, Emma Aicher’s strong performance offered a glimmer of hope as the team prepares for the upcoming events, beginning with the team combination on February 11, 2025.
Disappointing Start for German Alpine Ski Team
The opening of the World Championships was a promising event, bringing excitement and hope for the German alpine ski team. Lena Dürr expressed her enthusiasm about the vibrant opening ceremony, describing it as a delightful experience for the spectators, particularly highlighting the team parallel competition. “I think that was quite good. You rarely notice much from opening ceremonies, so it’s nice for the audience here,” she noted.
Challenges Ahead for German Skiers
Unfortunately, the initial excitement quickly faded as the German alpine team faced significant challenges, leading to a wave of criticism and no podium finishes. Linus Straßer reflected on the team’s struggles, mentioning, “It fails in that moment due to small things.” These small errors were evident across various events, including the team competition, Super-G, and downhill races.
The men’s coach, Christian Schwaiger, expressed his discontent with the performance, summarizing it as “really bad.” In stark contrast to the previous World Championships in Italy, where the team secured two silver medals, this year has seen no top-15 results for the men’s team.
The situation was similarly challenging for the women, with Kira Weidle-Winkelmann finishing in twelfth place, feeling disappointed despite her belief in her skiing abilities. “It’s unfortunate that something like this happens right at a WM,” she lamented.
On a brighter note, Emma Aicher surprised many with her impressive performance, leaving even the favorites momentarily stunned. Alpine director Wolfgang Maier found a glimmer of hope, stating that Aicher’s skiing demonstrated a growing understanding of the downhill sport.
As the second half of the World Championships approaches, starting on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, the German team remains determined. The women will kick off part two with the team combination event, and there’s a renewed sense of optimism that they might be getting into their stride just in time.
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