Linus Straßer Secures Bronze Medal for Germany at Saalbach-Hinterglemm World Championships
Linus Straßer has soared to victory in the men’s slalom event at the Saalbach-Hinterglemm World Championships, securing a bronze medal for Germany. The 32-year-old’s triumph marked the German Ski Association’s only medal at this year’s competition.
"It feels really amazing," Straßer exclaimed after securing his first individual medal at a major event. "This race was one of the most exciting slaloms of the winter," added Wolfgang Maier, the DSV’s sports director.
Straßer’s victory was particularly dramatic, as he faced uncertainty about whether his second run would secure a podium finish. However, a crucial mistake by French Olympic champion Clement Noel in the second run paved the way for Straßer’s bronze medal, eliciting a collective sigh of relief from the German team.
Straßer’s triumph came as a beacon of hope for the German team, which had been on the verge of its first medal-less Alpine World Championships in 18 years. After Lena Dürr’s eighth-place finish in the women’s slalom on Saturday, the DSV faced the possibility of their first zero-medal performance in the discipline since 2007.
Despite Straßer’s bronze, the DSV team has acknowledged the need for improvement. "The result looks a bit more positive thanks to Straßer," said Maier, "but our goal of two medals was not achieved." Maier emphasized that the team’s performance in Austria reflected their overall struggles this season, with sporadic "good performances" but a lack of consistency in reaching the podium.
"The team needs to improve in many areas," Maier stated. "We’ve seen some potential from young athletes, but we need to consistently perform at a higher level."
Among the bright spots for the DSV team were Emma Aicher’s sixth-place finishes in both the super-G and downhill events, demonstrating her potential for the future. Anton Grammel also showcased his abilities, recording the fastest time in the second run of the giant slalom and narrowly missing a top-ten finish.
However, the DSV’s speed squad drew criticism from coach Christian Schwaiger for their lackluster performance. Lena Dürr, who carried Germany’s medal hopes alongside Straßer, faced challenges throughout the competition. Despite being the reigning world bronze medalist, she struggled in the team event and the combination with Aicher before running out of steam in the slalom due to health issues.
Maier acknowledged the pressure on Dürr, stating that she "has always been in the spotlight." Dürr, Aicher, and Straßer represent the limited number of elite-level athletes within the German team, and onlyStraßer was able to fully rise to the occasion at this year’s World Championships.
As the DSV team reflects on a largely disappointing fortnight, they must focus on developing a stronger mental fortitude and a belief in their own capabilities. With Straßer, Dürr, and Aicher leading the charge, Germany has the potential to achieve more consistent success in the future.
