German is part of the squad
World champion before comeback at the start of the World Cup
Updated 10/21/2025 – 4:47 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
Alexander Schmid is about to make his comeback – ten months after his second cruciate ligament tear. The 31-year-old still leaves it open whether he will actually start at the World Cup opener in Sölden.
Former world champion Alexander Schmid is planning his comeback at the start of the Olympic season ten months after his second cruciate ligament tear. The 31-year-old is part of the German Ski Association’s (DSV) ten-man squad for the World Cup opener this weekend in Sölden.
He still leaves it open whether Schmid will actually take part in the giant slalom on the Rettenbachferner. He explained that he received approval after the “back-to-competition test” around a week and a half ago. Now he wants to “see if I feel fit and ready to start in Sölden,” said the Allgäu native.
The 2023 world champion in the parallel race tore his cruciate ligament for the second time in December last year. This time both menisci were also affected. As a result, the rehab was “a little longer”. At the beginning he “remained more patient,” said Schmid. In the summer he was “skiing in the snow again for the first time,” which “immediately felt really good.” He has been training on the glacier again since the end of September.
The DSV squad is led by Lena Dürr, Emma Aicher and the World Cup third place in the slalom, Linus Straßer. Fabiana Dorigo and Jessica Hilzinger will also be starting in the women’s race on Saturday, while Anton Grammel, Fabian Gratz, Jonas Stockinger and debutant Hannes Amman will be taking part in the men’s race on Sunday (10 a.m. and 1 p.m., ZDF and Eurosport).
DSV sports director Wolfgang Maier has clear ideas for the start. He expects a place in the top ten and another in the top 20. “The conditions for achieving this goal are good,” he said. The men’s race takes place on Sunday at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. (ZDF and Eurosport).