Schongau / Cortina d'Ampezzo
- As a rule in alpine skiing it is said that the low start numbers are an advantage.
But as is well known, there is always an exception to the rule.
This is the case with a hitherto unknown track, especially the one in Cortina d'Ampezzo (Italy), where the world championships could now begin.
The first few days, the number one topic of conversation was the weather, as it prevented all of the races planned from Monday to Wednesday.
Alpine skiing: Of 55 starters on the Super-G route in Cortina, only 34 make it to the finish
On Thursday, the weather was then replaced by the slopes as the number one topic.
Various drivers did not see the goal in the men's Super-G.
55 had started, only 34 made it down without missing a goal.
A jump with a subsequent close right-left combination turned out to be the key point on the slope, which was completely redesigned for the Olympic Games 2026.
Many athletes, including some top favorites, bit their teeth there.
The first three starters failed.
The ARD commentators Bernd Schmelzer and Felix Neureuther wondered whether the route was too demanding.
They later described the course as "extremely borderline".
Only gradually did the word get around at the start house how to tackle the key point - also with Simon Jocher from Schongau.
“We then received the feedback that you had to take something out so that you didn't fall so deep into the hole and miss the subsequent goal,” says Jocher.
I am so half satisfied and half dissatisfied.
Simon Jocher
Many drivers were too hesitant at the said jump, slowing down so much speed that they lacked it in the further course.
So it was a matter of finding a healthy mix - driving with brains, but also taking the necessary risk.
This is exactly how Jocher took his course.
“Full throttle, full throttle”, he shouted to himself at the start.
The 24-year-old implemented his target, showed himself brave at the key point, but maybe a little too brave.
He had to cut off the momentum after landing and lost some speed.
“That was cheeky.
He tried it, and you have to, ”comments Neureuther.
And Jocher was still in the race, showed his class and finished 16th. “I'm so half satisfied and half dissatisfied.” The 24-year-old missed the points by one position and struggled with his mistake.
But in his conclusion the positives predominate.
16th place at his first World Cup, he doesn't want to complain.
“I was also a little more nervous than before a normal World Cup race,” confesses Jocher.
Maybe it would have pushed him again if he had heard about Romed Baumann's trip.
That was because he had won silver two starting numbers before him.
But Jocher knew nothing about it.
He heard the cheers, but was already in the tunnel, focused on his race.
Alpine skiing: Jocher's start on the descent is not yet certain
How many more he will drive at this World Cup will be decided after the downhill training sessions, which are planned for Friday and Saturday.
"I think it will depend on how Tom (Thomas Dreßen, editor's note) feels, whether he wants to drive," suspects Jocher.
If he is not part of the downhill on Sunday, he will be asked again on Monday in the combination.
Probably not, as initially thought, as the only DSV starter.
"Since the schedule has changed, it may be that more of us start in the station wagon." Jocher would also be very happy, "Then I wouldn't be so alone on the slope".