Solid Schmid storms men’s parallel to end German gold drought

Surprises are no longer surprising at Courchevel Meribel 2023 – and parallel ski racing goes with form less often than the traditional events – but the men’s race still produced yet another unexpected outcome to light up these thrilling World Championships.

Defending champion Mathieu Faivre (FRA) didn’t qualify for the 1/8 finals, while local hero Alexis Pinturault (FRA) was eliminated early by bold Norwegian Alexander Steen Olsen (NOR). Linus Strasser (FRA) and Jan Kranjec (SLO) also made early exits.

But as others around him were losing their heads over 19 frantic turns, Alexander Schmid (GER) delivered a near-perfect series of runs to become Germany’s first individual world champion since 1989.

In the final, he beat Dominik Raschner (AUT), who took a well-deserved silver. In the small final, Timon Haugan (NOR) vanquished Adrian Pertl (AUT) to take bronze – and make some amends for yesterday’s error in the team parallel.

“It means a lot – I didn’t expect it, and I am so happy to be here with a gold medal, it is just amazing,” said Schmid. “After yesterday’s race, the team event, I knew I had to focus from run to run, and never give up.

“Every run is a new run. You have to keep going. It’s no risk, no fun, and that was pretty fun.”

The 1/8 final saw a number of unexpected results, with Steen Olsen beating Pinturault and Strasser eliminated by Luca De Aliprandini (ITA). Races swung back and forth, with the red course initially looking faster but more rutted, and the blue piste producing some very quick finishes.

In the quarters, Raschner was brilliant as he overcame Steen Olsen, while Haugan was sensational against his teammate Rasmus Windingstad. But throughout the rounds, it was 28-year-old Schmid who seemed to have complete mastery of both runs, looking solid and consistent.

He was technically impeccable against Haugan in the semi, seeing off the speedy Norwegian by just +0.06.

The other semi was an all-Austrian affair, with Raschner tussling with his training partner and close friend Adrian Pertl (AUT). And it was dramatic stuff: on the second run, Pertl dropped a pole – but then Raschner himself also made a mistake.

It looked like the uni-poled Austrian might clinch it, but Raschner regained composure to cross the line a whisker ahead.

In the final, Raschner once again made a couple of mistakes in the first race, while Schmid didn’t put a ski wrong, looking in complete control. The second run was a parade for Schmid, who finished +0.90 ahead to grab gold.

It was his best result in international competition – and Germany’s finest since the 1989 World Championships, when Hans-Jorg Tauscher lifted the men's downhill title.

“It’s been an exciting race, I love the atmosphere here, and I can’t believe I’ve won a medal at the World Championships,” said Raschner.

In the small final, 26-year-old Norwegian Haugan defeated Austrian Pertl by +0.19 to record his career-best result. It also helped banish memories from the day before, where his error – coming out the gate too eagerly – handed victory to the USA.

“This means a lot,” said Haugan. “I didn’t sleep that well last night, I was thinking a lot about what had happened in that final. It was a silver but I felt like I destroyed the gold for my team. So this is extremely good, to get a bronze today after yesterday.

“I’ve got my first two medals, and that’s good for the whole team.”