At the start of the season in Val Thorens there was no podium finish for the German team. That should change on Tuesday in Arosa.
The ski crossers got off to a furious start last winter, collecting three podium places at the first World Cup of the season. This time the big coup didn’t happen at the start of the Olympic season. But Daniela Maier in particular showed that she will be a force to be reckoned with this winter.
Ski crosser Daniela Maier also wants to attack in Arosa.
Maier wants more in Arosa
In fourth place, she narrowly missed the podium on Thursday. “My speed is good and so is my feeling for skiing. I still made a few careless mistakes“, she analyzed her World Cup start herself. In the second race in Val Thorens, the runner-up in the 2024/25 overall World Cup missed the final run, but ninth place was also solid for the start of the World Cup. Her plan is clear for the next competition on Tuesday (December 16, 2025, 7:15 p.m. in the live stream at sportschau.de): “There is a full attack in Arosa.“
Hronek strong at the start
Tim Hronek was the best German among men. His record: 6th place and 26th place.”The first weekend was very positive for me. The speed is really there, the fire is there, I like the body language“, he said looking back. What was particularly annoying was that Hronek was actually doing well again in the second race, but was then disqualified because of a threader and only ended up in 26th place.
Hronek remains cautious about the next stop in Switzerland: “Arosa is always very unique, so I don’t think much of it. For me it always works better when I go in without expectations because I just have to show the relaxed skiing and then the fire and the speed are there anyway.“
Tim Hronek got off to a good start in the World Cup winter.
Wilmsmann: “I know that I can drive very fast.”
Florian Wilmsmann is much more self-confident: “Sure, the first weekend wasn’t what I was hoping for for the start of the World Cup, but I still know that I can go very fast. Of course, it hasn’t worked so well to show that yet, but I have a good feeling for Arosa.“
The third place in the overall 2024/25 World Cup failed to qualify in the first competition and came ninth in the second race in Val Thorens. Not the 29-year-old’s claim and that’s exactly what he wants to prove in Arosa: “I am very motivated to finally be able to show in Arosa how good the preparation was.“
Emotional comeback for Bachsleitner
Niklas Bachsleitner provided the emotional highlight of the World Cup in Val Thorens. The 29-year-old made his World Cup comeback exactly one year after breaking his tibia and fibula, his fifth serious injury in a row. In the first race of the season he came 26th, but in this case the placing was secondary.
“Pulling out of the starting gate was a moment that made me incredibly happy and proud. Proud to be part of the World Cup circus again and to find self-confidence and speed again in the near future – so that I can then fully attack again“, explained Bachsleitner via Instagram after his comeback. In Arosa on Tuesday, the 29-year-old will have his next chance to continue to find self-confidence and speed.