In addition to the Olympic gold medal, Lara Gut-Behrami’s last World Cup winter was primarily characterized by health problems. Now the Swiss is fit again and has more fun with alpine skiing than ever before. Even participation in the 2026 Olympic Games in Milan/Cortina is conceivable again.
“I didn’t think that I would feel fitter at 31 than at 20. But it is true. Of course there are days when I feel the burden of many years in the World Cup. On the other hand, this is normal,” said the winter sports icon in an interview with the Swiss newspaper “Blick”.
In view of the regained fitness, she does not want to think about the end of her career at the moment: “Maybe I’ll continue for one, two, three or four years – I have no idea. I enjoy skiing, I don’t feel any pressure. I don’t have to do anything in my career anymore, I can still.”
At the turn of the year, the two-time world champion categorically ruled out continuing until 2026. Now her mood looks different with a view to the next winter games, she emphasized.
Alpine skiing: a long time of suffering for Lara Gut-Behrami
“There are days when I’m like, ‘Sure, no problem – I’ll be there!’ I have a good environment, know my body better and enjoy developing myself further,” said Gut-Behrami. But sometimes she doubts.
Health problems repeatedly put the Swiss out of action last winter, putting her long-term career planning at risk.
“I was worried. An analysis in the spring showed that I had a lung infection. As a result, I got 20 percent less air than usual,” admitted the ski star.
In addition to a normal virus infection, she also contracted the corona virus last winter, so that she was very weak at times.
“I had a virus similar to the one that causes glandular fever. I don’t know whether this was a result of Corona. I took cortisone in the form of medication and then had to let everything heal for two or three months,” she described suffering time.
Now she is looking towards the future again with ambition.