At the ÖSV

Curious ÖSV punishment: Crying is not allowed!

ÖSV Head of Speed Sepp Brunner

(Bild: GEPA/GEPA pictures)

Curious punishment in the ÖSV camp: Anyone who sheds a tear in a TV interview with the speed skiers will be asked to pay! This is what's behind it ...

The World Cup opener in Sölden was definitely spectacular and had a lot to offer: Ski dominator and top favorite Marco Odermatt was eliminated with start number 1, Marcel Hirscher celebrated his return with the third best run time in the second RTL run, ÖSV lady Julia Scheib finished on the podium, Lucas Braathen sensationally finished fourth after a one-year break and Lara Gut-Behrami did not start, shedding tears on Swiss television (SRF).

Crying part of the penalty catalog
Tears that Austria's speed skiers apparently cannot afford, as ÖSV speed boss Sepp Brunner revealed to "Blick". Anyone who cries on TV will be asked to pay. "A few years ago, we drew up a list of penalties within the team, which also includes shedding tears in front of the camera. If one of us starts crying in an interview without anyone having died, we'll be fined 50 euros, just like if we turn up late for training or a team meeting," explained Brunner.

When asked by "Sportkrone.at", the ÖSV clarified that there is no general catalog of penalties and that each training group sets its own penalties.

What else is in the speed skiers' penalty catalog can only be guessed at. Brunner did not provide the reasons for the tear penalty. Admittedly, 50 euros is certainly not the world and a far cry from a hammer penalty. And yet you often can't help it when your emotions get the better of you.

The next World Cup race is scheduled for November 16 with the women's slalom in Levi (FIN). The men's slalom follows a day later.