The Austrian alpine ski ace Roland Leitinger and his wife Simone are becoming parents for the first time. The couple announced this on social media.
“A miracle is on board – the Leitinger family is growing,” the two wrote about a photo that shows the pregnant Simone and her husband.
Numerous greats from the alpine ski scene joined the well-wishers. The Swedish Olympic champion Frida Hansdotter commented on the post with a heart. Tamara Tippler, Hannes Reichelt and Michaela Kirchgasser were also happy for the expectant parents.
Roland Leitinger and Simone tied the knot in May 2022.
Leitinger’s greatest success in his career so far was the silver medal in the giant slalom at the 2017 Alpine Ski World Championships in St. Moritz.
The now 32-year-old has been plagued by bad luck with injuries in recent years. He missed both the 2018 Olympic Games in Pyeongchang and the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing after torn cruciate ligaments.
“It’s extremely bitter,” the giant slalom specialist was quoted as saying by the association at the time: “Now history is repeating itself. At the moment I feel a great emptiness. I have to let it sink in now.” At the start of the 2021/22 season he came second in the giant slalom in Sölden.
Leitinger wants to attack the world’s best
In December 2022, Leitinger made his comeback in the World Cup. After the two races in Alta Badia, however, he had to take another forced break because his knee was causing problems again. In March, the veteran returned to the Austrian Championships with seventh place in the giant slalom.
In the new Alpine skiing season, which begins on October 28th with the World Cup in Sölden, Leitinger wants to attack the world leaders again. The Austrian could be inspired by the good news.