Yanqing (dpa) – Ski racer Kira Weidle took a convincing second place in the first downhill training session at the Olympic Winter Games in China.
“I’m fit. 100 percent fit,” said the 25-year-old from Starnberg after her run. “Of course I hope that I can play up front.” Only the Swiss Priska Nufer was faster than Weidle.
The women’s downhill race will take place next Tuesday (4:00 a.m. CET). After her silver medal at the World Championships in Cortina d’Ampezzo and her second place in Zauchensee, the speed driver is one of the medal candidates. “Just concentrate on skiing and then that should work,” said Weidle.
Speed dominator Sofia Goggia was one of the big favorites until her fall a few weeks ago. The Italian suffered a knee injury at the World Cup in Cortina. This was not operated on, Goggia relied on physiotherapy. During training, she reported back with a twelfth place. Mikaela Shiffrin from the USA was ninth.
Goggia confident before departure
Despite her injured knee, Goggia looks to the descent with confidence. “Nothing is impossible. Olympia means everything to me. You want to be here to fulfill your childhood dream,” said the 29-year-old. “The last few weeks have not been easy. I’m trying to regain confidence in my skiing,” said Goggia. It is currently at around 50 percent.
With six World Cup victories – four of them in downhill – Goggia is the big speed dominator this winter. She had renounced the Super-G. “Of course my physical condition isn’t great, but I don’t care. There’s no place I’d rather be at the moment. I’ll give everything I can,” said Goggia confidently, looking ahead to the race.