“There are a lot of curves, a lot of waves, the start is relatively flat. I’m actually fine with that. It’s important to be able to slide well,” says Gigler. If everything fits together, she has a good chance of a podium finish. But she’s not putting herself under any pressure, says the 21-year-old from Harder, after all it’s her first season in the World Cup.
With seven podium finishes from this winter under their belt, Austria’s ski crossers are now qualifying for the World Championships in Bakuriani, and medals will be contested on Friday. Debutante Sonja Gigler achieved her best career result in second place on the Reiteralm. Two-time winner of the season Mathias Graf can look back on a similar career path.
WM in Bakuriani
Qualification ski cross women and men: 23.2., 1.30 p.m
Final ski cross women and men: February 24, 2 p.m
The two Vorarlbergers come from alpine sports. They drove their first ski cross race on November 21, 2021 in Pitztal. He was sixth in the European Cup, she was tenth. That was just 15 months ago. Gigler had her first World Cup appearance on March 13, 2022 on the Reiteralm (sixth), Graf on December 8, 2022 in Val Thorens (eighth). Graf won the next day and had his second triumph in San Candido at the end of December.
Graf: “It gives you a different kick”
“Fighting man against man has always been good for me, no matter what sport. In ski cross it’s very extreme when you suddenly have a ski next to you at head height over a jump, that gives you a different kick,” the 27-year-old Graf described in an interview with the APA – Austria Press Agency, what the appeal.
He doesn’t want to overestimate the fact that the overall European Cup winner from 2021/22 didn’t work out as desired at the home World Cup on the Reiteralm, because the speed is okay. “In Ski Cross there are always three other factors, these are the three other athletes that you don’t have under control,” said the man from Dornbirn. He would therefore never undertake anything specifically. “All you have to do is jump in from the side and you’re gone.”
With a fast time in qualifying, you can choose a starting box earlier, so he will already go full throttle on Thursday. “The box that has the shortest way to the first corner is then chosen,” said the current third in the overall World Cup standings. His top favorite is Canadian Reece Howden (24), who, like two-time winner David Mobärg (24) from Sweden, is still missing a World Championship medal.
Gigler: “First round or final”
Gigler established herself in the top 10 in her first full World Cup winter, finishing third in San Candido for a second time on the podium. “I actually just wanted to get a taste of the World Cup and had no goals. But I would say I got along relatively well,” she told APA.
In the meantime, she would set herself goals before every race, including before the World Cup. “I think anything is possible. All or nothing, first round or final.” Swede Sandra Näslund, who won all nine races of the season, would almost certainly be waiting there. She’s not nervous yet, she’s taking it easy, said Gigler, the junior world champion of 2022. “It comes with the day of the race, so it’s good when the adrenaline comes out.”
Benefit from the experienced
Gigler trains with established runners Katrin Ofner (32) and 2015 world champion Andrea Limbacher (33), both of whom were also on the podium in second place this winter. “The team structure is really cool, relaxed. The two have plenty of experience, which they share with me,” said the Harderin, who sees a lot of potential, especially in terms of ski technique and material.
Graf is also supported by established ski crossers, such as Johannes Rohrweck, the winner of the first race of the season in Val Thorens.
Snowboard crossers in action next week
Other Vorarlberg starters at the World Championships in Bakuriani are the two snowboard crossers Alessandro Hämmerle and Julian Lüftner. You are on 2.3. (Qualification), 3.3. (Final snowboard cross) and 4.3. (Team competition) in action.