BORMIO, Italy, 2 February 2005 — Reigning World Cup champion Hermann Maier was among the athletes to bemoan the lack of atmosphere at what has so far been described as a lamentable world ski championships.
Maier, the 32-year-old Austrian ace who is arguably the world’s most recognized skier, is hoping to get his championships bid under way at the men’s downhill this Sunday - provided he is selected for his national team.
However the former bricklayer know as the Hermann-ator for his former total domination of the sport, said the lack of paying public has took the shine off his efforts.
“You would get a better crowd for a kids’ ski school race in Austria,” quipped Maier after the second of four training sessions for Sunday’s downhill.
Organizers of the championships, which opened with fireworks and optimism on Friday night, have been wearing long faces as the criticism pours in.
Delays in preparations first prompted the ire of the media, but the lack of paying public in the stands at Bormio and nearby Santa Caterina — where the women’s races are being held — has now caught the attention of the International Ski Federation (FIS).
Ticket prices of 130 euros for an adult entry to each event appear to have proved prohibitive.
Maier was not the only skier to complain.
At the Deborah Compagnoni piste in Santa Caterina, named after the Italian skiing legend, the paying public only gets to see around three seconds of action before the skiers come over the finish line.
The rest they have to watch on the big screens, which for many is like paying to watch your own television.
“It’s pretty sad,” bemoaned Olympic champion Carole Montillet.
“We don’t feel atmosphere, and it doesn’t motivate us at all.”
