Pure gambling

Created: 01/03/2023, 21:40

By: Patrick Hilmes

Unique in the World Cup: Only in Garmisch-Partenkirchen are the starting numbers determined on the specially designed roulette table.

Croupier Hans Echter (left) explains to Linus Straßer what he has to do.

© ANDREAS MAYR

Around 300 fans gathered in front of the casino in Garmisch's pedestrian zone on Tuesday evening.

The start number draw for the night slalom took place there.

Of course, Linus Straßer cuts the best figure on skis.

It is well known that the current sixth in the slalom World Cup also has a soft spot for the round leather and he proved it again yesterday at the start number draw in the Garmisch pedestrian zone.

Asked by moderator Taufig Khalil whether the slalom on the Gudiberg is also suitable as a night variant, Straßer replied: “I like to compare it with football.

Floodlight shows are also more spectacular there.”

Gambling at the roulette table

And so the man from Munich, who works for TSV 1860, is looking forward to the premiere this Wednesday.

Straßer will throw himself down the Gudiberg in third place.

That resulted in the start number assignment on Tuesday evening.

But the DSV star didn't have a choice, as he was last in line.

First, the athletes who are eighth to 15th in the World Cup were allowed to enter the balcony of the casino.

One by one, croupier Hans Echter explained what they had to do.

Was very simple.

Simply throw the small white ball counter-clockwise onto the roulette table specially designed for the start number draw – done.

As soon as the ball landed on a number, the athlete knew where he would start the race today.

Echter then blocked the number and continued with the next driver.

Past the fans: The top seven in the slalom world cup march down the red carpet in front of the casino.

© ANDREAS MAYR

Linus Straßer happy with starting number three

When the first group was finished, the top seven in the World Cup standings marched across the red carpet in front of the casino, past the 300 or so spectators up onto the balcony – including Strasser.

Afterwards, he was very happy with his number, as it is a good omen.

Last year he finished third in the second race at the Gudiberg with number three.

Munich is battered in the race

Straßer could use some luck because the 30-year-old is not in top form at the start.

Over Christmas he contracted severe tonsillitis and was only able to train on the day of the number draw.

"But I'm happy to be able to start at all on this cool slope."