Thomas Dreßen is Germany’s biggest departure point. After recent good results in the World Cup, many people trust him to win a medal at the Winter Olympics in South Korea. His coach, Mathias Berthold, however, demands that he correct his mistakes at the legendary descent in Kitzbühel (Saturday, 11.30 a. m. at the LIVETICKER) and sees in him similarities to the Olympic champion of 2014.
Thomas Dreßen was the first German skier in 13 years to reach the podium in Beaver Creek in third place. After finishing fifth in Wengen last weekend – despite a big mistake in the finish S – the 24-year-old is also one of Kitzbühel’s favourites.
I’m really looking forward to the Hahnenkamm race at Dreßen’s “I’m really looking forward to it”, Dreßen told SPOX on Monday at the edge of the German team’s Olympics attire,”Kitzbühel is a highlight of the season for every downhill skier, even in an Olympic season”.
However, the preparations for the legendary race for the speed specialist have not yet been completed as desired. After a goal mistake in the first practice, Dreßen finished 41st in the final practice on Thursday,”We tried it a bit differently in the line, so I’m sure I won’t be able to drive it,”he said,”but that’s what a practice is for.”
It is also clear that no thought is wasted of the Olympic Games in Saturday’s race. Dreßen is looking forward to his first participation in the Olympics, but will not restrain himself on the sideline because of that:”When you go there passively, it becomes even more dangerous, especially for us riders, respect is part of it, but fear is not,”he said.
Two years ago, the World Cup was already a guest at the Olympic downhill run in Jeongseon. Dreßen landed as 30. I have to say, I liked it very much,”he said,” maybe you’ve changed something, but the conditions are the same for everyone, everybody has the same experiences.”
His coach Mathias Berthold has ample experience with Olympia. In 2006 and 2010, he travelled with the German women’s team to the games before he led the Austrian men’s team to Sochi four years ago.
Berthold makes an interesting comparison at Dreßen:”This season he reminds me a little bit of Matthias Mayer from 2014,” said Berthold on Monday,”The conversations I had with Matthias in 2014 are exactly the same as those I am having with Thomas today.
Berthold is impressed by the development of his hottest iron on an Olympic speed medal:”Three and a half years ago, Thomas was a clear B-driver in our team,” he said,”He is extremely strong and attentive in the head, he has increased incredibly.
According to Berthold, all other international ski associations of Dreßens have now also recognized Dreßen’s achievements. Thomas must continue to work on himself,”he said, adding that these mistakes he made in Wengen and Bormio must be put right.
While he is satisfied with Dreßen’s attitude, Berthold is less happy looking at his colleagues Josef Ferstl and Andreas Sander. With them,”we’ve got more work to do right now,”Berthold said.”I don’t see that last risk appetite.”
“We have two more races before the Olympics in which every athlete should take another step forward,”said Berthold, saying,”Kitzbühel may well be the turning point”.
It is noticeable that after Marcel Hirscher (89) and Henrik Kristoffersen (94) Dreßen also made an adaptation to his helmet and wears the number 44.”But I didn’t copy that from Lewis Hamilton”, Dreßen said,”because I’m a big fan of Sebastian Vettel”.
I wanted to have something on my helmet, which is connected to him “His initials, D. D., are made up of the fourth letter in the alphabet, which is why Dreßen chose number 44.