Christine Lagarde Compared the World Economy to a Cross-Country Skier

(Bloomberg) -- It didn't take long for the ski metaphors to start at this year's Davos.

Delivering the IMF's World Economic Outlook on Monday in the snow-covered Swiss resort, Managing Director Christine Lagarde compared the global economy's current situation to the travails of a cross-country skier. She even asked the room of journalists how many practice the sport (only a few raised their hands).

“What do you like when you're a cross-country skier? You like good visibility, no uncertainty,” Lagarde said at a press conference on the first day of the World Economic Forum.

She also said it's better when things are stable, there are no hazards and “everybody is skiing in the tracks,” perhaps a reference to governments -- and others -- playing by the agreed rules.

But that's not the case right now for the world economy, which is like a cross-country skier who's hit some bumps and is struggling to keep from careening of course.

The IMF on Monday cut its forecasts for the second time in three months, predicting 2019 world growth will be the weakest pace in three years, and warning fresh trade tensions would spell further trouble.

Read more about the IMF's downgrade to its global economic outlook

“So the cross-country skiing is going to be more laborious,” Lagarde said. “More efforts are going to be required.”

--With assistance from Andrew Mayeda.

To contact the reporter on this story: Eric Martin in Mexico City at emartin21@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Fergal O'Brien at fobrien@bloomberg.net

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