Bitter pill for slalom ace
Despite meeting the criteria, Stoffel was not considered for the World Cup
Elena Stoffel’s (26) World Cup dream has burst. “I understand the decision,” she says. But why did she have to jump blade?
Published: 01/31/2023 at 00:14
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She has fulfilled the Swiss-Ski selection guidelines for the World Cup, but is not allowed to go there: Elena Stoffel.
Mathias GermannReporter Sport
The Swiss team for the World Championships in Courchevel/Méribel is set. Nine athletes were called up for the men – five more will be added after the slalom in Chamonix (Saturday). Since the contingent can have a maximum of 24 names, only ten women can take part. It is noticeable that there is no skier who has met the selection criteria of Swiss-Ski (once top 7 or twice top 15): Elena Stoffel (26).
The slalom specialist from Unterbäch VS is the tragic absentee. “It was a tough decision and of course Elena wasn’t happy when group coach Christoph Kienzl gave her the news on the phone,” says women’s head coach Beat Tschuor.
That’s why Danioth has the edge
But why did Stoffel of all people have to jump over the World Cup blade? Although she only competes in slalom, she finished 15th twice in this discipline this World Cup winter. It thus meets the requirements of the association. Only: Wendy Holdener (29), Camille Rast (23), Aline Danioth (24) and Michelle Gisin (29) did the same in the slalom. Only four are allowed to start.
Holdener (two wins) and Rast (once sixth) were seeded. The somewhat better top results spoke for Danioth and Gisin – Danioth was 13th twice and Gisin was ninth in Spindlermühle (Tsch). What’s more: Both are, in contrast to Stoffel, versatile. So Danioth should start in the parallel individual race and possibly also in the team event. And Gisin is an all-rounder anyway.
“That’s the way it is”
It may be even more bitter for Stoffel that Andrea Ellenberger (29) is a rider who only qualified halfway through – she was twelfth once (giant slalom in Kranjska Gora). But the same applies here: Ellenberger can be used in the parallel events. In addition, there were free starting places in the giant slalom.
“I understand and accept the decision,” says Stoffel to Blick. The fact that she will miss the World Cup again after 2021 does not make things any easier. “Sure, I’m disappointed. But that’s the way it is.” She would like to use the coming weeks to improve in giant slalom. In addition, starts in the European Cup are planned. At the same time, Stoffel is looking ahead – until the next World Cup slalom on March 11 in Are (Sd). Despite the frustration, she will follow the World Cup on TV. “And keep my fingers crossed for my teammates.”
