Beat Tschuor, head coach of the Swiss women's team, sees Lara Gut-Behrami as very composed after the end of her season and emphasizes her importance in the squad.
28.11.2025, 04:30
28.11.2025, 06:49
SDA
Time is running out, Beat Tschuor is on his way to Denver and arrives late at the stopover in Frankfurt. In any case, he would be very happy if he didn't have to give any information to the media, as the occasion is the end of Lara Gut-Behrami's season. The suspicion of a torn cruciate ligament in the left knee of the 34-year-old from Ticino has been confirmed.
Tschuor has been in regular contact with the 48-time World Cup winner since her serious fall in super-G training last Friday in Copper Mountain, Colorado. "She seems very composed and has accepted the situation," he says, describing his impressions of Gut-Behrami.
Bringing positivity to the team
As sorry as he is about the drama surrounding the figurehead of the Swiss women's team, he looks ahead - as a professional: "That's how we're timed. It's day-to-day business, sport can be merciless. There is always a certain risk of injury. So we have to put that behind us as quickly as possible and bring positivity into the team, especially now in the technical group." Next up for the women is a giant slalom in Copper Mountain on Saturday.
It is clear that Gut-Behrami will leave a big gap in the Swiss women's team. Last winter, she scored 1272 out of a total of 4128 points in the World Cup - that corresponds to almost 31 percent of the points and underlines her central role in the team. At the start of the current season in the giant slalom in Sölden, she finished third on the podium for the 101st time at this level.
It is no coincidence that Tschuor spoke of being in a state of shock after the accident. He also emphasizes Gut-Behrami's importance off the slopes due to her professional approach to the whole thing, for example when it comes to recovery. "She is a demanding athlete, but at this level she needs to be. In this respect, the youngsters could benefit a lot from her just by watching."
Will Gut-Behrami change her mind?
Gut-Behrami originally wanted to end her magnificent career after this winter. But it would suit her if she changed her mind. She has repeatedly emphasized that she doesn't want to be forced to stop by an injury. Tschuor says: "What's important for Lara now is that she gets well again. She will undergo rehab like an athlete with full support. Everything else is a private decision. The fact that a small door remains open is very positive."
Tschuor definitely sees the possibility of continuing her career. The fact that the 2027 World Ski Championships will be held in Crans-Montana in Valais could be a decisive factor.
