Swiss skiing sensation
Tuesday December 8, 2009 - Email this article to a friend

This time last week many people had never heard of him, even though he has a few notable victories under his belt. 

Last weekend though he won the Downhill, the Super-combined and the GS at Beaver Creek in Colorado, USA.

He beat all the greats in all 3 disciplines. Cuche, Miller, Defago, Walchoffer, Raich and Svindal were all left trailing in his wake.

We reported on his Downhill win at the weekend here on PlanetSKI.

"A third victory in three days, I couldn't ask for more," said Janka after his final victory on Sunday. 

"I've shocked myself. What an incredible week. I don't know what to say except I feel marvellous. Everything was working perfectly with me this week in all the disciplines. It's truly an incredible moment when you can win them all."

He now leads the men's overall World Cup standings in a remarkable start to the season. He's had 5 podium finishes in 6 starts.

New skiing sensationJanka's name now stands along with Jean-Claude Killy, who won three separate events on three consecutive days in Franconia, United States, in 1967.

Svindal achieved a hat-trick in March 2007 in Switzerland and the Austrian superstar Hermann Maier won three in a row at Beaver Creek in 1999.

The Italian, Alberto Tomba, won 3 victories in three days in 1994 but in one giant slalom and two slaloms.

The Swiss press, not known for exaggeration and hyperbole, has gone into over-drive after his weekend exploits.

The Swiss have long been dreaming of a superstar to rival the American Bode Miller, and the Austrian, Hermann Maier.

He has a different style to the 2 legends though - they win by taking risks and skiing on the edge. Janka seems to do it more cleanly and efficiently. Almost skiing within his limits just to get the job done.

"He has everything under control the whole time. He never has to go to the limit. He makes everything look so easy," says the Swiss head coach, Martin Rufener.

PlanetSKI will be in Val d'Isere this weekend for the Premier Neige and will hopefully bring you an interview with the new Swiss hero.  The eyes of the ski world will certainly be on him and it will be interesting to see see how he does after the most memorable weekend of his life.

A new and exciting talent

"Can he repeat it?" is the question on the lips of many in the ski racing world.

He also represents the resurgence of Swiss ski racing, that has been somewhat in the shadow of the Austrians in recent years.

With four victories in five races this season, Switzerland might be returning to the glory years of the 1970s and 80s when it seemed to win everything.

What is amazing is that Janka was out of action for most of the summer with a mystery viral infection and he managed very little training.

One of Janka's winning runs at Beaver Creek:

For some video of Lyndsey Vonn's victory at the weekend in Lake Louise see here.

Janka comes from Obersaxen a village of 800 people in South Eastern canton of Gräubunden.

His reputation as legend there is already secure. The question is whether he is a flash in the pan or whether we are witnessing the birth of a ski genius.

Only time will tell.

Bookmark this page

Related Articles