The French ski fans could hardly believe their eyes when world champion Alexander Schmid mingled with them over a beer.
In his usual modest way, the Allgäuer renounced the boisterous break after his sensational world championship title on Wednesday. Instead, after a tiny après-ski detour, we went back to Méribel, where the 28-year-old enjoyed a cold drink or two with fans and supervisors.
Even at his gold party, which was rather subdued for the occasion, Schmid stayed in the background. Others from the German team provided the atmosphere.
Schmid’s focus on giant slalom
The technician would have deserved an excessive celebration after winning the title in the parallel race, but the focus quickly shifted to the giant slalom this Friday (10:00 a.m. / Eurosport and ARD). Even before Schmid’s gold coup, the chances of a medal were not bad – now almost anything seems possible.
Everything but gold. Normally there should be no getting past high-flyer Marco Odermatt. The Swiss downhill world champion is in his own league in giant slalom and has already won four World Cup races in this discipline this winter.
Schmid, on the other hand, is still waiting for a podium finish this season. He often scratched the podium, but often lacked the full conviction to drive in at the front. “Sometimes he doesn’t have the self-confidence to judge himself well,” said national coach Christian Schwaiger.
Will that change after Schmid’s trip to gold? Although he always downgrades himself a bit, the man from Oberstdorf admitted, “nevertheless, I now have a very healthy self-confidence”.
The pressure is gone. Schmid has already won the fight for a medal. “I think you can drive up much more freely and just have fun,” said the 28-year-old. He’s ready for the next medal party. The French fans would definitely be there again.
