
Two years ago at the World Championships in Méribel, he took part in the team competition as a substitute skier. Now Tumler is allowed to take part in this competition on the piste for the first time - and is doing an excellent job.
The 35-year-old from Graubünden did so convincingly. In the quarter-final against Germany, he secured the Swiss quartet's progress. In his victory against Linus Strasser, he set the fastest time of all participants on the day.
Thomas Tumler, something new for you again. After your first World Cup victory last December in the giant slalom in Beaver Creek, now a double premiere. First time in a team competition - and a medal straight away.
"That's really cool, yes. I had already looked at the program for these World Championships a long time ago and saw that the team competition takes place quite early and I therefore still have time to prepare for the start in the giant slalom afterwards."
And then you told your bosses about your interest in this competition?
"Yes, I told head coach Tom Stauffer at a team meeting in Adelboden that I was ready to take part. Now, of course, I'm happy that it worked out so well."
And how it worked out. In the quarter-final against Germany, progress was hanging by a thread.
"I didn't realize what my teammates had achieved before I started. I then asked them what it would take to progress. It was then simply 'full throttle, full throttle'. Against the Germans, it really took 'full throttle' or a good run time."
It's still more than a week until the giant slalom here in Saalbach. What is your plan until then?
"I'm going home again tomorrow (Wednesday, ed.). There are a few more days of fitness training on the program. On Sunday I'll continue to the Reiteralm, where three days of training are planned. Then I'll come back here to Saalbach on Wednesday. And the next day, it's 'full throttle' again."
A medal in the team competition. People always say it's an inferior competition.
"This medal certainly doesn't carry the same weight as in the giant slalom, for example. But it's a cool experience and I'm super proud to be able to experience this with the team."