Women’s Super-G in Garmisch: Weidle-Winkelmann in eighth place, Vonn is 13th

“Peace on earth” was what the driver, who was obviously peace-loving, typed on the display of his shuttle bus – beautiful words, always right and important, and even if Kira Weidle-Winkelmann spoke of an “attack position” some time later, one can assume this with a clear conscience that Germany’s best downhill skier would fully support these words. With her perhaps somewhat brutal expression, she actually meant something completely different.

A reporter at the finish wanted to know what this eighth place in the Super-G and ninth place in the downhill meant for the World Ski Championships in Saalbach-Hinterglemm, which starts in just over a week, to which the 28-year-old said: “Apart from two swings, I’m actually quite happy today. I had to shorten the two swings a bit because I didn’t have the direction.” Overall, the performance gives her “a good feeling heading into the World Cup. I’m certainly not a favorite, but if I can turn a few more screws and find a few more pieces of the puzzle, I might be able to be at the forefront.” Coming in eighth with the mistakes she described, “that gives you self-confidence,” said the Starnberg native. In short: “I am in the attack position.”

The speed weekend on the Kandahar track in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, which was apparently quite easy to drive despite the spring-like temperatures, was the last women’s race before the start of the World Cup. After an Italian double victory in the downhill on Saturday (Federica Brignone won ahead of Sofia Goggia), the Swiss Lara Gut-Behrami won the Super-G on Sunday. Brignone came third this time, followed by three teammates. Kajsa Vickhoff Lie from Norway took second place. And Team Germany? Except for Weidle-Winkelmann, far behind. Emma Aicher, who missed a race for the first time this World Cup winter on Saturday, finished in 24th place, her teammates Anna Schillinger and Fabiana Dorigo did not make it to the finish.

“Now I have a few more points and maybe a better starting number for the World Cup.”

This was achieved by an athlete who has already celebrated many great successes on the Kandahar: Lindsey Vonn. After her elimination in the downhill, the 40-year-old comeback queen was able to score World Cup points again in the Super-G with her 13th place. Reaching the finish was the most important thing for her: “Just drive down comfortably, without risk, and build up your self-confidence again. “I’m down to 75 percent and that’s all I need,” said the American. “Now I have a few more points and maybe a better starting number for the World Cup. And then I can rebuild everything.”

Some of her colleagues also have to do lengthy construction work after this weekend, which was marred by serious falls. “When your nightmare becomes reality,” wrote Austrian Nina Ortlieb on Instagram after her fall in the downhill on Saturday. The vice world champion, who had been plagued by health setbacks for years, suffered a broken lower leg. Teammate Ariane Rädler fell the next day, rolled over violently, drove to the finish line on her own, but suffered a faint attack and was flown to the hospital by helicopter. The Czech Tereza Nova remains in a coma after a serious training accident. The 26-year-old had suffered a serious head injury and was operated on in the accident hospital in Murnau to reduce swelling in her brain.

At least in this respect the women of the German Ski Association were spared from any trouble. Kira Weidle-Winkelmann explains how the pursuit of the medal places should work before the start of the World Cup: “We will train for another three or four days before we go to Saalbach next Sunday or Monday. I’ll probably do some more giant slalom so I can be more active towards the gates. You saw in the races here: They were all good giant slalom skiers who were at the front.” Well then: Attack!