I originally wanted to interview freerider Pia Widmesser (27) from Kiefersfelden "only". During the summer months, to get to know her better, to talk about her passion and her sport in peace and quiet. As it is better to meet a sportswoman outdoors rather than indoors, we agreed to go hiking together. Why not climb the 2118-metre-high Wildseeloder summit? After all, Pia has already skied down the north face of this mountain several times in winter as part of the FWT (Freeride World Tour), in which she has taken part twice so far. Pia thinks it's great and agreed: "I've never been there in summer!
Fieberbrunn in Tyrol. In the middle of August. We've caught the hottest weekend of the summer. Thomas Straub accompanies us as our photographer. His idea of photographing Pia in full gear on the summit means that we have to lug Pia's ski equipment up the Wildseeloder as well as her photo equipment. At the Fieberbrunn cable car, we are met with pity: "That's how it is on the mountain? Vui fun!" What's the problem? From the Lärchfilzkogelbahn cable car, which also takes us comfortably up to an altitude of 1600 meters in summer, we only have to get to the Wildseeloderhütte cable car. But the fact that this is 100 meters lower down and a good 15 minutes' walk away is of course something we idiots have forgotten. Zefix! Clothes without end: bags, photo cases, tripods, backpacks, ski boots, skis, helmets, poles,...
Pia has been on two boards since her early childhood. She learned to ski more or less on her doorstep, in the Sudelfeld ski resort. As a teenager, Pia was a successful ski racer. In the long run, however, that wasn't her thing. Even in ski cross, where she quickly made it onto the national team, she didn't last long: "Freeride, that's my discipline. I love the freedom of my sport. I can choose my own line between the start and finish, I'm not restricted by gates and I don't have to race against the clock." When she first competed in a freeride competition in Røldal/Norway several years ago, she immediately landed a victory. Over the years, Pia has established herself at the top of the world. Through the Freeride World Tour and various ski film projects, she has now seen many great freeride areas all over the world. But the mountains at home still mean a lot to her. She still spends a lot of time on her local mountain, the Wendelstein, in winter. She can also often be found in nearby Zillertal. 35 degrees in the shade. Hiking tourists look irritated when they see Pia's skis. "Best of" the comments: "You're definitely too early!" "But you do know that there's no glacier up there?" Counter: "It's never too early." "We definitely want to be the first!" A local woman shakes her head at her husband: "De Preißn wida. Just like in the Piefke Saga."
Mooooment! We're from Bavaria!
Load the material cable car. Continue on foot towards the Wildseeloderhütte. Now you can see it, the Wildseeloder north face. Pia studies the steep slope very closely: "It's nice to be here in summer. The slope looks completely different now!" Where you ski into the finish area in winter, the alpine meadows are in bloom. Almost lovely. The face itself is much more impressive without the snow. I think so. Extremely rocky and damn steep. Hallelujah! And they go down there in winter! Pia, however, sees it very differently: "In winter, the face seems much more forbidding, more rugged, more exposed." The men start directly at the summit cross. The girls start a little lower from the shoulder. A shame, really. Because in the 2010/2011 season, both men and women started at the top. Pia has already skied down the steep face a few times. From the top. Even outside the FWT. The face is only closed during the last four weeks before the competition. Last year, according to Pia, the conditions were fantastic. There was some really deep snow in the wall. It was a pleasure to ski here. That's not always the case. The wall is quite susceptible to wind. It is not uncommon to ski on ice, in broken snow or wind-pressed snow. As with every run, the choice of line is therefore crucial here in Fieberbrunn.
At dusk we climb from the Wildseeloderhütte (PS: Great food! Extremely laid-back hosts! It's a shame they're not up there in winter) to the summit. We are alone. Mountains as far as the eye can see. Best light. Absolute silence. Pia tells us that she won't be able to compete in the Freeride World Tour this winter. The reason: a merger of the Freeride World Tour with the Freeskiing World Tour. Next winter, the top six women from the FWT will be able to compete in the new, united World Tour. As Pia "only" came seventh in the overall World Cup in 2012, she narrowly missed out on a starting place. This means that she will have to try to secure a starting place again in the coming season via qualifier competitions, at least for the winter of 2013/2014. As unfortunate as the situation is, she has a small advantage. Pia will be pursuing a few cool film projects this winter.
In winter, Pia occasionally comes to Fieberbrunn to go freeriding. Firstly, because the Tyrolean village is easy to reach for her, who lives in Kiefersfelden. But also because she really likes the small, fine ski resort, appreciates its off-piste possibilities and enjoys the family atmosphere here. The next morning at the hut. Wildsee view. Breakfast in the sun. And Pia raves about winter: "On the FWT, Fieberbrunn is a particularly great tour stop. Not only for us athletes, but also for the many spectators. The organization is exceptionally good. The whole town is behind the event. The flair here is very special. I would love to be there!" She then reveals that she still has vague hopes of at least getting a wildcard for the one tour stop in Fieberbrunn. "It would be nice. Maybe it will work out."
And if not? Then she'll come anyway. As a spectator and supporter.
Pia is supported by:
Gore-tex, Sweet Protection, Anita, K2, Adidas eyewear, Marker bindings, Level Text: Johanna Stöckl, Photos: Thomas Straub (summer), Michael Neumann (winter)
