What a race: In the men's Super-G at the Alpine World Ski Championships in Cortina d'Ampezzo, various drivers retire at a key point.
Not Simon Jocher from SC Garmisch, who turns 16.
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 are always exceptions to every 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 had prevented all of the races planned from Monday to Wednesday.
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.
Borderline course guidance
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.
Lots of athletes, including some top favorites, bit their teeth here.
The first three starters failed.
The ARD commentators Bernd Schmelzer and Felix Neureuther wondered whether the route is 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 SC Garmisch.
“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.
Many too timid, Jocher a little too brave
Many drivers were too timid about the jump, slowing down so much speed that they lacked it in the further course.
So it was important to find a healthy mix - with heads, but also with 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, ”commented 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.
Namely, he drove two start numbers before him to silver.
But Jocher knew nothing about it.
He heard the cheers, but was already in the tunnel, focused on his race.
Start in the descent also depends on Thomas Dreßen
How many more he will drive at this World Cup will be decided after the downhill training sessions planned for today and tomorrow.
"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 the only DSV starter as originally planned.
"Since the schedule has changed, it may be that more of us start." Jocher would be very nice, "then I would not be so alone on the slope".