Adelboden without a spectator – Odermatt: “Not exactly beautiful, but maybe a little easier” – sport

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Usually the finish area at «Chuenisbärgli» is a cauldron. This year, however, there will be an eerie calm.

The scenery is difficult to imagine: World Cup races in Adelboden closed to the public. The three races – two giant slaloms and one slalom – end in an almost deserted finish area, in which thousands of spectators usually cheer on the drivers on and next to the impressive grandstand.

From a Swiss perspective in particular, the folk festival prevented by the corona pandemic is a shame. After the slalom specialists, the giant slalom drivers are back among the main actors after years of extras. First and foremost Marco Odermatt, who shone in the previous races with places 2, 3, 1 and 4.

Odermatt wants to «stay cool»

In view of his top performances, one almost forgets a little that the 23-year-old from Nidwalden actually still has relatively little World Cup experience. At the «Chuenisbärgli» Odermatt has so far been ranked 10th in the statistics. Now he is traveling with the red start number of the discipline leader.

“The fact that I was only once in the 2nd run doesn’t change anything,” says Odermatt calmly. He also doesn’t want to overestimate the lack of spectators. «It is not always beautiful. But maybe it’s a little easier because you feel a little less pressure », says the Nidwalden.

Murisier: After Christmas also a birthday present?

Justin Murisier feels less pressure than already. Shortly before the holidays, the Valaisan had given himself an early Christmas present in Alta Badia with his first podium in the World Cup. «I have fulfilled a lifelong dream. The pressure that I put on myself is now a little less high, ”says the 28-year-old.

Murisier feels a little sad about the empty target area. “It is a pity that my family cannot be there. I’m celebrating my birthday on Friday », said the Valaisan.

Murisier and his colleagues will have two opportunities this year to end the long wait for a podium in the “Giant” in Adelboden. It’s been 13 years since local athletes put their stamp on the classic. In January 2008, Marc Berthod and Daniel Albrecht ensured a double success.