A dream comes true for the para lasting runners in Trondheim. For the first time, Marco Maier and Co. are fighting for the World Cup title on a big stage.
Marco Maier gets goose bumps when they thought of the full grandstands. “I always dreamed of walking to such a large stadium”says the 25-year-old. 40,000 fans are expected in Trondheim on Tuesday and Wednesday when the Oberstdorfer defends his World Cup title in the para-skiing run.
So far, his personal record backdrop “The many cameramen” at the Paralympics in Beijing. In Norway, on the other hand, Maier and Co. receive the greatest possible stage. For the first time, Para athletes also fight for gold at a Nordic World Cup, Trondheim speaks of the “First inclusive World Cup” The story. “We see each other at lunch and dinner, that has a bit of Olympic flair. That is lived integration”says DSV team boss Peter Schlickenrieder: “If you somehow can do it – do it”.
The same route on which the World Cup stars run
Six titles in three classes are awarded in the TV-friendly sprint. “It will be an incredible highlight for all of us. It was also time”, “ says Anja Wicker, who hopes for gold in the seated class. The prologue takes place on Tuesday due to time constraints, after all, Maier and Co. use the same route that is currently being strained by the rain such as the World Cup stars Therese Johaug and Johannes Hösflot Kläbo.
And not only that: for the first time there is also prize money for the para athletes in Trondheim. “It is a great appreciation for us. This shows that our performance is worth as much as that of the non -disabled”, says Maier, who was born on the left hand with a malformation.
Para athlete Marco Maier is looking forward to Trondheim.
Is Trondheim a unique thing?
The only downside: 2027 in Falun Maier, Wicker and Co. will probably no longer be part of the Nordic World Cup. “This is a unique thing for the time being,” says national coach Ralf Rombach. The last word may not have been spoken yet. “Of course it would be nice if it worked. It would not hurt the cross -country skiing run a bit.”