Skeleton World Cup debut: Olympic champions in search of new successes

Germany’s skeleton team is looking to confirm a strong Olympic record in Beijing over the World Cup winter. The focus is mainly on older heroes. A world champion has missed a World Cup ticket.

At the Olympics in Beijing, the German sled experienced a real medal race across the Ice Channel. Not only did the tobognists and bobsledders win, the skeletonists also won two Olympic gold medals for the first time.

It was surprising even for the athletes themselves: “I didn’t know it at all,” says Olympic champion Hannah Neiss. “I hadn’t really won anything before. Overall I’ve won three events in my career and the Olympics was the fourth.”

Susan Kreher surprisingly won against Jacqueline Lawling

So, after the strongest Winter Olympic Games ever, the confirmation season begins for the German skeleton team. For example, 22-year-old Nice will compete for the first time in North America, where the season begins in late November. “The first World Cups are on a track I’ve never been to, so I’m relatively relaxed about the whole thing.”

He has been seeded in the team, which also benefited him as he was slowed down in preparation due to problems with the patella tendon. German champions Tina Hermann and Susan Kreher took other places in the women’s. The latter surprisingly prevailed against former world champion Jacqueline Lawling, “It was a very close race in the autumn”, insisted national skeleton coach Christian Baud at the inaugural press conference on Friday (11.11.2022).

Tina Herman travels to Canada with fond memories

He is also certain that Kreher and Neisse will soon find new railways overseas: “We have lots of training opportunities there. With twelve rides you should be able to catch up with the railway.” At least Hermann has a heavy railway in Whistler/Canada, Where the season starts on November 24Very nice memories. In 2019, she became the world champion there. In total, she has already won gold medals at the world championships seven times.

Grother and Jungk edge Keisinger

The skeleton men were also able to win two Olympic medals in Beijing: gold man Christopher Grother and second-placed Axel Jungk have also secured their places in the World Cup – and are striving for further successes. Bod says Felix Keisinger, who “with three wins in three races has clearly shown he is number one from the rest,” also joined the elite team.

One of those races was the German championship title, which the 24-year-old climber from Berchtesgaden thanks to his good starting time. “It’s been really heavy, especially after a very tough year for me. I struggled a lot with myself and didn’t get back on track after Beijing,” he said.

Skeleton legend Martins Dukurs has retired

“When I slowly worked my way out of the hole, I developed mononucleosis and it brought me down again.” But then he got fit in time and dominated the elimination race against veteran Alexander Gassner and Lukas Nydegger.

Incidentally, when the Germans were making their team, a skeleton legend resigned after the Winter Games. Eleven-time overall World Cup winner Latvia’s Martins Dukurs retires,

Highlight: World Cup in St. Moritz in January 2023 – Jungk “Hungry”

Therefore, Grower, the current world champion and Olympic champion, must now be hunted among men. Unlike Jungk, who wants to break out of his shadow and finally win his first major individual title this season. “I’m definitely still hungry for that. St. Moritz is a great track, it’s something special.”

At the end of January 2023, the World Cup will take place at the traditional Swiss winter sports resort. The demand for German skeletonists may have increased after the successful Winter Games, but Baud still thinks that starting a winter is “certainly easier. The pressure was there before.”

Source: sportschau.de