Kueng aims for championship medal in 2015

Patrick Kueng on his way to his first World Cup SG victory in 2013. GEPA/Wolfgang Grebien

Swiss speed specialist Patrick Kueng scored his first World Cup win in the super G at Beaver Creek last December. Another win followed on home snow at the Lauberhorn downhill in Wengen in January. He finished the season in third place in the super G World Cup standings but has yet to clinch a medal at a major event. After a few attempts at title events in previous years, Kueng feels he has some unfinished business and is very much looking forward to Vail-Beaver Creek 2015.

Patrick, how has your training season been?

Overall very good. In the early summer, I was working hard on my fitness and am happy that I’ve stayed healthy and have had no problems or pain in my knees or back. That makes me feel positive about my dryland prep. We started skiing in Zermatt before we travelled to South America. Down there, it was good snow but unfortunately the weather did not cooperate: we had lots of wind, rain, and snowfall. The good news is that I’m feeling great whenever we’re able to ski. I still need to work on my consistency, but overall I am very happy with my training so far.

The start of the speed season is in two months in Lake Louise, followed by the dress rehearsal on the Birds of Prey. What are you now working on to be ready?

Given that I finished third in the super G season standings last year, the plan is to make sure I reach that same high level from the start of the season and then hopefully can even up the ante! My goal is to ski well all season long. To compete for the World Cup globes in the speed events, however, everything must fit together better than well. The start is very important, I want to be skiing on par with the best in Lake Louise and at the final test event in Beaver Creek, and that is my focus right now.

After the disappointment at the Sochi Games, how do you view the World Champs in Vail-Beaver Creek 2015?

I clearly have some unfinished business at title events. In Garmisch in 2011 I was ill; then in Schladming in 2013, I was having some problems; and in Sochi last year, despite being in good shape, the results did not come.

Beaver Creek is a special place for me. I won my first World Cup race there last December and am looking forward to going back. It is a place I always like to return to. All the prerequisites for skiing fast are there. However, title events are always special, and absolutely everything must come together for a perfect race on D-Day. 

How do you like racing in Beaver Creek?

The courses there are always perfect. I think there is no other venue where the courses are in such a great shape. It is always fantastic to race there.

At the World Champs, I gather there will be even bigger jumps and it will be even more challenging but then I am a downhiller so that is what we like. 

You are now seen as the leader on the Swiss men’s speed team. Do you feel any pressure?

I don’t feel pressure, in training surely not. If all goes well in the beginning of the season, there will be no pressure then either. If the results aren’t there, it is a different story. Right now I just keep doing my thing, executing what I had planned. By now, I have seen the highs and lows of ski racing, and I’m old and experienced enough to deal with any pressure. And I hope that my teammates, too, will be able to show what they can this season. As for myself, I want to deliver top performances, am feeling good, and looking forward to the season.

 You won the prestigious race on the Lauberhorn in Wengen last year. Would you swap that victory for a World Championships medal?

Winning the Lauberhorn in Wengen or the Hahnenkamm in Kitzbuehel has an equally high importance for a ski racer than winning a medal at a title event. I would not swap my win in Wengen for a medal anywhere. But I think at this age, I can still win many races and a medal at the World Championships would surely not be a bad thing.

Release courtesy of the Organizing Committee of Vail-Beaver Creek 2015