Also on the patrol?
Ski ace with a special gesture after World Cup points
01/23/2025 – 10:41 amReading time: 2 minutes
Switzerland’s Livio Hiltbrand recently scored his first World Cup points and then made a familiar gesture for the country. This could also happen on the Streif.
The Swiss ski racer Livio Hiltbrand is looking forward to his first downhill race on the Streif on Saturday in Kitzbühel. The junior world champion is allowed to drive the famous route and is confident. “My advantage is that I started on the brutally selective Stelvio in Bormio in the old year week. There I gained the necessary self-confidence for Kitzbühel,” said Hiltbrand to “Blick”.
The slope in Bormio is also one of the most demanding in the racing calendar – on Saturday the 21-year-old could attract attention again with a gesture. When Hiltbrand collected his first World Cup points in Val Gardena in December, the speed specialist then showed the Schwingerkranz sign. The winner of wrestling, a martial art practiced in Switzerland, receives a wreath made of imitation oak leaves. Hiltbrand formed his arms into a wreath after he finished. The ski ace explained how it came about.
He completes his strength training under the guidance of Roland Fuchs and wrestler king Matthias Glarner. Hiltbrand said: “First Matthias Glarner promised me that he would give me 100 francs (around 105 euros, Note d. Red.) would be paid if I did the Schwingerkranz sign in front of the TV camera after winning my first World Cup points. Shortly afterwards, Fäbu Staudenmann and Ädu Walther offered me the same amount.”
Fabian Staudenmann and Adrian Walther are also wrestlers. According to “Blick”, it could be that Livio Hiltbrand will make the special gesture again on the Streif in front of the cameras.
