Press Clippings for Friday

The afternoon, Internet sites were full of praise for Super-G winner Michael Walchhofer.

The Swiss Neue Zürcher Zeitung wrote on its arch rival: “Michael Walchhofer has won the Super-G in Gardena-Gröden by a wide margin thereby preventing a surprise victory… Walchhofer continues to win on his good-bye tour this season that opened with a Downhill win in Lake Louise.” Or the Krone: “Michael Walchhofer has won the opening Super-G race in the winter sport Mecca of Gardena-Gröden. It was the upper part of the race where this veteran was able to leave the competition behind winning his 17th World Cup in relatively bad weather conditions.”

Reuters also zooms in on the many victories of this Austrian ski star: “This veteran skier from the Salzburg region is currently the best in this discipline. It looks like he is about to pass on the baton.”

Sport1.de re-ignites traditions: “Gardena-Gröden is known for surprises. And there was one on the podium of the World Cup Super-G with Stephan Keppler from Germany winning silver behind Michael Walchhofer… “It was incredible. It is a little disconcerting when you stand there at the Finish and have to wait and wait. I skied like I always do but suddenly the dust settled. The surprise is immense. I never counted on this.“ the 27-year-old is quoted. The Kurier continues: “Keppler benefited from Ted Ligety’s decision not to race so he started with number 7.” The surprising silver medallist: “I owe Ligety a beer!”

Downhill inside favourite Mario Scheiber is struggling with an injury: “It doesn’t make any sense. I just don’t feel I can give it all. I feel too uncertain and, thus, the risks are too high.” says 27-year-old Scheiber who injured his already compromised knee in Wednesday’s practice run.” writes the Kleine Zeitung.

As for tomorrow’s Downhill, Walchhofer had the following to say to news.at: “You have to be aggressive, but I ski somewhat more playfully this year. Especially here in Gardena-Gröden where you have to use instead of always fight the course. It looks quite well right now, and might even mount to a top feeling”.

SottoZeoNews reports with a well-known author: “The exclusive analysis of the Men’s World Cup races fro Sottozero by Barbara Merlin.”