After the ladies, make way for the men’s combined. And for the last of the discipline, Loïc Meillard is the big favorite on Tuesday at the Worlds in Courchevel.
Mounted on the podium in super-G and slalom, the Valaisan of Neuchâtel origin must assume this label. And Meillard’s biggest opponent may well be himself. During the last slalom before the Worlds, Mélanie’s brother experienced elimination in Chamonix, and this is probably where the greatest fear lies on the Swiss side.
“It is clear that this is a special eventsays the most versatile of Swiss skiers. As we don’t have benchmarks, we have to rely on World Cup races and it’s always nice to go fast in several disciplines.“
Effective on many terrains, Meillard will have to show a great capacity for adaptation. “On D-Day, it will be about being fast in super-G and making the transition quickly, he continues. I was able to work on this during the summer, less this winter of course.”
The skier from Hérémence, who is tackling a more than tough program in Savoie with the combined, the super-G, the parallel, the giant and the slalom, is careful not to boast and talk about a title or even a medal. : “I just want to go as fast as possible. There are many athletes capable of succeeding in this discipline. I have to produce my best ski and then everything will be possible.“
ats/nm