Garmisch-Partenkirchen once again had no chance when it came to awarding the 2027 SKI World Championships.
Mayor Koch says: "Something's wrong."
Garmisch-Partenkirchen
– There are incredulous looks at the cell phone.
only one vote?
For real?
A few minutes after Crans-Montana was announced as the World Cup location in 2027, it is written in black and white on the FIS homepage: Crans-Montana 11 votes, Narvik and Soldeu 3, Garmisch-Partenkirchen 1. Germany in last place, humiliated .
It's a punch right in the face - again.
Peter Fischer puts the phone on the table in front of him.
He takes a deep breath.
"It's a disappointment, a huge disappointment," assures the coordinator of the World Cup application from Skiclub Garmisch.
"I feel sorry for the place, for the many people behind it."
Ski World Cup 2027: Garmisch-Partenkirchen only received one vote
The ceremony begins at 7 p.m. in the Allianz Tower in Milan.
In Garmisch-Partenkirchen, the organizing committee met in the Cuatro Hombres bar, around the corner from the ski club home.
As is well known, they are not allowed to be there.
Only Maria Höfl-Riesch is on site.
In addition, DSV marketing man Walter Vogel.
The world championships for ski flying, freestyle and the Nordic come first.
There is no opponent anywhere.
Oberstdorf, the Montafon and Falun (Sweden) are next.
Quite different with the Alpines.
There are four applicants.
Revealing the name of the winner and opening the famous envelope is up to Johan Eliasch, President of the World Ski Federation.
Shortly after 7.30 p.m. the time has come.
Eliasch has a few warm words ready, calls all four applicants winners, but in the end there can only be one.
Skiing must be ready for change, he says.
Then he pulls out the note: Crans-Montana – the Swiss are celebrating.
Silence reigns in the Cuatro Hombres.
No sound.
"You could hear a pin drop," murmurs someone somewhere in the back.
That's the way it is.
Peter Fischer lowers his head.
Martina Betz fights back tears, buries her face in her hands.
It's only slowly that there's a bit of hustle and bustle, and the first talks start.
What you quickly hear: Many had expected this outcome.
Hardly anyone seems surprised.
Out for Garmisch-Partenkirchen when the Ski World Cup 2027 is awarded: Many had expected this outcome
It's more of a certain realism that's doing the rounds, the feeling of powerlessness that creeps up on many.
"What did we do wrong?" asks Florian Fischer, the chairman of the SCG.
“This result is not logical.
We always get only positive feedback for our World Cup, from the media, the athletes, the officials.” And then such a rebuff.
"One vote means something like 'Don't do it!'
That's perverse.” It's a struggle for explanations.
Understandable.
So does Betz, Fischer's deputy.
“Of course I had a big glimmer of hope because we have a good concept, because we are ready for change.
But: What else should we do?” The frustration speaks out of her.
In Peter Fischer's eyes, the result is one "that reflects the facts.
We haven't learned anything from the 2020 defeat."
This renewed slap in the face shows the importance of German skiing at the official level.
"We don't have to point the finger at others who blame others who simply did better lobbying." Such a vote has the character of a school grade "that we get for our efforts".
With one out of 18 votes, that should be a straight six.
"We are somewhere in the middle of nowhere," judges Florian Fischer.
For him, looking ahead, there is one question in particular: "What does it take to have a real chance at all?" Finding an answer to that "that's a matter for the association".
Because that goes beyond the sphere of influence of the local World Cup OK.
Garmisch Ski Club: Bitter disappointment
There are doubts on the ground as to whether the center is honestly criticizing maneuvers.
“First of all, you have to have the ability to question yourself,” Peter Fischer snarls.
His son uses a comparison from football.
"When a club is relegated from the first to the second Bundesliga, then something always happens, and when the coach flies.
In skiing, everything always stays the same.”
Elisabeth Koch stays out of the discussion about the question of guilt.
The CSU mayor also comes to a clear conclusion: "We are not wanted, we are not shown any appreciation." She does not know exactly what is going on at the FIS, "but in the end we had a concept that no one else had to offer .
We didn't even have to cut away a stinging nettle bush." Apparently, however, other things are decisive than being a reliable partner in the World Cup for decades.
"You have to accept that.
But something is wrong there.”
