Heaven and hell were close together for Germany’s best giant slalom rider Alexander Schmid last season.
With his sensational performance at the World Ski Championships in Courchevel, the 29-year-old from Oberstdorf secured the gold medal in the parallel race in February – and the first World Cup gold for the DSV in ten years. A few days after the gold dream, the nightmare cruciate ligament tear followed in a training fall in Berchtesgaden.
Now the suffering is over. Technical ace Schmid, who starts for SC Fischen, is making his comeback after a nine-month break. He is in the German Ski Association’s squad for the giant slalom next Saturday (9.30 a.m. live on the Sportschau) in Val d’Isere, France.
Schmid: “I can ski without pain”
“I can now ski without pain. I still take a break from training here and there to control the strain as best as possible, but that’s normal.”said Schmid, who trained with the team for the first time in Sweden and Finland for two and a half weeks in November. Main goal: Find the form. After all, it was the first time that Schmid had to take a break due to a torn cruciate ligament.
However, he has often had to overcome difficult times. A long undetected Epstein-Barr virus paralyzed him for a long time a few years ago. Schmid no longer had any energy after extreme training sessions. Once the cause was identified, a change in diet helped, among other things. Nevertheless, it took two seasons until Schmid was his old self again.
Sportschau winter sports podcast, November 16, 2023 12:34 p.m
Long way back to the top of the world?
It remains to be seen how long it will take him to be able to compete at a top level again after his serious knee injury. When in top form, Schmid is certainly among the best in the world. However, he still has to prove that this is actually within his reach again after his serious injury.
It’s a very special slope, no two swings are the same, you have to trust in your ability – I’ll try to implement that.
The best place is in Val d’Isere. “It’s a bit tingling now, but I have good memories of the place. It’s a very special slope, no two swings are the same, you have to trust your ability – I’ll try to implement that.”says Germany’s “Ski Athlete of the Year” before his comeback.
Women fight for points in Switzerland
In addition to the giant slalom, there is a slalom on the program for the men in France (Sunday/9.30 a.m. live on Sportschau). The women will fight for World Cup points in two Super-G and one downhill races in Switzerland from Friday to Sunday.
Banns
Men/Giant Slalom
- Anton Grammel (SC Kressbronn)
- Fabian Gratz (TSV Altenau)
- Alexander Schmid (SC Fischen)
- Jonas Stockinger (SC Herzogsreut)
Men/Slalom
- Sebastian Holzmann (SC Oberstdorf)
- Adrian Meisen (SC Garmisch)
- Linus Strasser (TSV 1860 Munich)
- Anton Tremmel (SC Rottach-Egern)
- Linus Witte (SC Bad Aibling)
Time schedule
Saturday, 9:30 a.m./1:00 p.m.: Giant Slalom Men
Sunday 9:30 a.m./12:30 p.m.: Slalom men
Women/Downhill & Super G
- Emma Aicher (SC Mahlstetten)
- Kathrin Hirtl-Stanggaßinger (WSV Königssee)
- Kira Weidle (SC Starnberg)
Time schedule
Friday, 10:30 a.m.: Super-G women
Saturday, 10:30 a.m.: Women’s departure
Sunday, 10:30 a.m.: Super-G women (SG)