At the previous World Ski Championships in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Belgium was able to show off a 10th place for Armand Marchant in the slalom. “That performance is a great yardstick for me, which I can also achieve,” says contemporary Sam Maes (24) to Sporza. “Armand has shown that anything is possible.”
Maes will compete individually in the slalom and giant slalom at the World Championships. “Finally I can now also perform in the slalom. That takes some pressure off, because it is no longer all or nothing for the giant slalom.”
“I now ski better than ever,” says Maes. “Technically I have made great strides. In training I am very close to the level of top players such as Kristoffersen or Odermatt, sometimes I am even better. Only they are still better at the races, that is clear.”
“That is partly due to the low starting number they have, which means they can ski on a better slope. My goal is to get into the top 30, so that I also have such a low starting number. being very regular for that, performing in all conditions. That’s another weakness of mine.”
Sam Maes has committed to “skiing offensively” at the World Championships. “I want to be able to say after the game: I didn’t miss anything here. If I succeeded, I will have been very fast.”
“In which place I will finish, also depends on the opposition. Top 15 would be nice, because then you also collect points for the World Cup.”
In the longer term, Maes aims even higher. “When you are young, your dream is not to finish 15th in the World Cup. You want to be on that podium or even win. That remains my goal. I am getting closer and closer.”
But first the World Cup in France, where Maes is 1 of the 6 Belgians, together with Armand Marchant, Tom Verbeke, Dries Van den Broecke, Kim Vanreusel and Naya Van Puyvelde. “We have a very good team, all skiers who are doing well. It may be the best World Cup ever for Belgium.”
