Nicklas Bachsleitner still lacks the “World Cup feeling”, everything still feels like a World Cup for the ski crosser from Grainau.
Maybe the attitude will help with his first major event ever.
Idre Fjäll
- With his third and tenth place at the World Cup in Idre Fjäll (Sweden) at the end of January, Nicklas Bachsleitner (SC Partenkirchen) made participation in his first world championships in ski cross fixed.
After the cancellation of the home World Cup at Feldberg (Black Forest), it will be serious for him on Wednesday, February 10th, with qualification for the world championship race on Saturday.
Start in Idre Fjäll is at 12.30 p.m.
The organizers at Feldberg had no luck with the weather this year.
Rain, snow and warmth made the races impossible.
"That was a shame because, on the one hand, we were very motivated for our home races," says Bachsleitner.
“On the other hand, the helpers really tried everything around the clock.” Ultimately, however, the slope was not passable and the risk of injury was too great.
Therefore, the ski crossers only switch from the World Cup in Sweden to the World Cup in Sweden.
Qualifying run on Wednesday: It's about the final heats
It starts on Wednesday, January 10th, with the qualifying run.
It's not just about a starting place for the final heats, but also about the basis for a good placement.
"The top 15 should definitely go out," emphasizes Bachsleitner, who last finished 14th and 4th in qualifying at the World Cup.
Nevertheless, the cards are always shuffled in ski cross.
The route, which is basically suitable for the Grainauer, is a little different.
"Since the snowboard crossers also compete in their World Championships here, the course has been adapted to them," explains the 24-year-old.
“Still, it should really suit me.” Bachsleitner likes the many waves on the home straight in Idre Fjäll.
“These are my absolute favorite elements in ski cross.” Therefore, he can live quite well with the adjustments on the infamous, 600-meter-long home straight.
In general, the sports policeman is pretty relaxed about his first big title fights.
"To be honest, I don't have a special World Cup feeling at all, it all still feels like a normal World Cup."
Skicrosser Bachsleitner: Achieved season goal with the start of the World Cup
Due to the Covid-19 regulations, some typical World Cup elements are of course missing: opening ceremony, supporting events, fans.
The only difference that you can tell from a normal World Cup so far is the fact that qualification (Wednesday, February 10th) and the final (Saturday, February 13th) are three days apart.
“Yes, that's a first for me, but it's not that wild either,” says the 24-year-old.
His serenity is probably also due to the fact that he has reached his target of the season with today's start.
“To be at the World Cup was my big goal this year.
I am very happy that I made it. "
Still, the ambitious SCP athlete doesn't just want to be there.
He wants to at least reach a place in the quarterfinals.
“But everything that comes along would be an encore.” Despite his podium place in January, the down-to-earth Grainauer remains realistic.
He has no medal dreams.
“In January I had a perfect day, then a lot can be achieved.
But in the end you have to drive well for the best 16 and have the necessary luck. "
Ski Cross World Championships in Sweden: A demanding course requires callousness
He also explained this to his grandfather, who immediately asked him curiously about his goals after his podium place and the relocation of the World Cup to Sweden.
Bachsleitner is sure that the World Championships will not take place in China but in Idre Fjäll.
"After all, that's where I have the most World Cup experience," he says, alluding to the fact that he contested five of his eleven World Cup races in Idre Fjäll.
Nevertheless, you need a lot of experience and callousness, especially for the tactically very demanding course.
Bachsleitner likes to cite the two big jumps on the home straight as an example: “You have to push the first one at full throttle, otherwise you end up on the flat and lose speed.
The second one looks the same, and your instincts scream 'push again'.
But you have to drive over it easily because the flight curve is completely different. ”And besides, the different speed with or without slipstream would also have to be taken into account.
From that point of view, simply being fast on the World Championship track is a pretty complicated thing.
In order not to ponder, Bachsleitner follows his personal tactics: stay on the ground and first give your best in qualifying.
Only then does he see what will happen next at his first major event.
From Kathrin Ebenhoch