Andreas Sander and Romed Baumann showed last season that they can be expected to finish on top. At the World Ski Championships in February, Baumann, who was born in Tyrol, finished second in the Super-G, while his teammate Andreas Sander also finished second in the downhill three days later.

Sander definitely liked the podium. “If you’ve been there once, you want to end up there again, if possible,” said the 32-year-old. According to Alpine boss Wolfgang Meier, the Westphalian has already come very close to its goal of driving even more consistently. The next chance for a medal is at the Tokyo Olympic Show (February 4 to 20). “Hopefully something golden will happen for Germany,” Baumann said in the SID interview.

Wolfgang Meier: “Well Installed”

Until then, however, there are still a few World Cup races to be planned. In Lake Louise, Canada, there are two downhill runs and a Super-G to be completed at pace this coming weekend. “I believe, I think the shape is right and I’m glad things are starting again,” Baumann said after training week at Copper Mountain.

Alpin boss Meier approaches the season with optimism and sees great potential for a top placement in the pace zone. With the Austrian, Norwegian and American teams in preparation “we were always with the people”, Meier says, “we are in a good position”. Especially since he has other promising downhill riders in Josef Ferstal, Dominic Schweiger and Simon Jocher. “We know what we can do,” insists Maier, “I expect we’ll be in the top five and the top ten.”

Firstsl: “Everyone’s Waiting for the Beginning”

Despite the high expectations, Ferstl looks forward to racing on behalf of teammates. “The track presents itself differently than usual. The many waves make it selective, and I also think the changed course setting is nice. You can attack well,” enthuses the 32-year-old. “Everyone is waiting for the beginning.”