Entering this weekend's races in Adelboden, the Swiss Ski Team boasts three skiers among the top six in the overall World Cup standings. Carlo Janka relinquished his lead to Austria's Benjamin Raich this past Wednesday in Zagreb, Croatia, but only trails by 12 points. Didier Cuche is third, 108 points behind Raich and Didier Defago currently stands sixth.
Head coach Martin Rufener, who took over a struggling program in 2004, is satisfied with the team's early season success.
"We've been showing that we can fight with the best," says Rufener. "We've been winning races, we've been on the podium and with different athletes. Everyone gets strong in the mind with what they can do and with the home crowd in Adelboden being so big, everyone is looking forward to performing."
Veteran Didier Cuche won the giant slalom here back in 2002 and needs a good result Saturday to keep pace with teammate Janka and Benjamin Raich, who has won at the historic Swiss venue three of the past four seasons. The last two years Cuche has finished 11th and 12th in the giant slalom.
"There are a lot of guys skiing well, not just Janka and Raich," says Cuche. "It's always a pleasure skiing in Adelboden but it's become a race that's tough to do with the press, kids and running around with sponsors. It's hard to keep focus on this race but I will do my best."
"When things run well and he finds his rhythm in the first few turns and on the first run then he is strong," says Rufener about Cuche. "In more difficult conditions he is even better. Right now, he is ok after his little injury of the ribs, of course it is still in his mind. But that was improved with the training in Veysonnaz. He feels good, I think he is ready to go."
Considering the dominance of Benjamin Raich in years previous, it's crucial for the 23-year-old Janka to embrace the scene this weekend and perform well if he wants to stay close to the veteran Austrian. Last year, the Swiss racer was 22nd in the GS and in 2007 at age 20, he failed to qualify for the second run.
"With our special training in Veysonnaz, we improved the tuning with his materials, the skis and boots," said Rufener about Janka. "We've made a step forward and that helps him mentally knowing that it will work. With his experience as a good skier and being so physically strong he has to show it tomorrow."
Some of the loudest cheers over the next few days should be for 26-year-old, Marc Berthod, who was victorious in the Adelboden slalom in 2007 and giant slalom in 2008. Two years ago, he led a 1-2 Swiss finish with teammate Daniel Albrecht joining him on the podium.
"Every year it's a great race for me," said Berthod. "When I was young it was a dream to win a race in Adelboden, especially the giant slalom. In 2008, I was so happy. I like the hill, I like the atmosphere and I hope I can have good races."
Having been plagued by recent back problems, resulting in a lack of conditioning, expectations for Berthod are somewhat lower this time.
"I think I am getting better and had good training over Christmas," he said. "I hope I can get a top ten in giant slalom. In slalom, my best result this year is 16th so hopefully I can get in the top 15."
"He is behind - goal setting for him is top ten, that would be excellent," said Rufener about Berthod. "We got him more focused on GS and not so much on super combined, its takes too much energy and puts a lot of pressure on his back injury as well. We need to get him a good result here in Adelboden and want to go step by step. His big goal this year is the Olympics in GS."
Come Saturday morning it's full speed ahead for a Swiss Ski Team which has displayed incredible depth and a high level of confidence over the season's first few months. Adelboden seems to be the right place to continue the momentum.
"In the big events in Switzerland, we have to podium," continues Rufener. "It would be great to have a win here, but we are happy with podiums. We have a strong team for sure and we have to show it."
By Brian Pinelli
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