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At Schmidhofer, the disease that has already been overcome is still expressed in occasional headaches. “It is almost like a concussion that the snow or the sun blinds me extremely. It’s uncomfortable, but you can go skiing. I hope this week is calm, ”said the 2017 Super G world champion after the first downhill training in Val d’Isere.
The headache “came and went.” The uncertainty of when the pain will start is not the main problem. Much more, Schmidhofer has yet to find a permitted remedy that alleviates the symptoms. “If you have a headache and take an aspirin, it usually helps, but not with a crown headache.” Also, due to the consequences of the CoV infection, Schmidhofer found it easier to overcome the fact that the stress of racing for speed aces was only in the middle. December begins. “We knew we had to be very flexible this winter.”
Regardless of this, Schmidhofer wants to “ski better than last year” again after just two podium spots in the preseason and, according to his motto, “keep going,” as the 31-year-old described it: “Top five they should always be vigilant if possible. ” Years ago, the Styrian had secured the little crystal ball at the Downhill World Cup. In the two tests in Val d’Isere, Schmidhofer finished eighth and sixth, respectively, as the second best Austrian after Mirjam Puchner. “Nobody was free of errors, there were many errors, it can be done even faster,” said the Styrian.
Tippler continues to fight with perseverance
Schmidhofer’s teammate Tippler, who, like Stephanie Venier and Puchner, had the coronavirus before the season, is “fit again, otherwise she wouldn’t be here,” according to her own statement. After just three days of training on long skis, questions arise about form and endurance. “I have already received the ‘Goas’ below. But it just keeps getting better and better, ”said Tippler, noting that his bottom of the good race at Val d’Isere, where the men also contested their first relegation of the season last week, had run out of steam.
Two weeks ago she was “unable to achieve maximum physical performance”, and some days she still suffered from dizziness, before that she failed the fitness test prescribed by the ÖSV. The slow progress had been difficult to face as an “impatient person.” “You also put pressure on yourself, as an athlete you want to train, you know that the races are getting closer and closer. There is also a certain amount of internal stress. But in the days of Corona I learned to be patient and trust myself, ”said the 29-year-old.
Puchnerzweite Workouts
Tippler’s patience paid off in Thursday’s second training session. The Styrian was placed as the third best Austrian almost immediately behind Schmidhofer in eighth place. From an Austrian point of view, only his coronavirus partner Puchner was faster than the duo, who was second with 0.63 seconds behind the best time in the second half of the two downhill races.
The Salzburg woman had to give way to an American again. Breezy Johnson, second fastest in the first practice session behind compatriot Alice McKennis Duran, this time set the fastest time in 1: 45.03 minutes. The 24-year-old, who until now had a fourth place on the Garmisch-Partenkirchen descent in February 2018 as the best result, was recommended for her first place winner or even for victory. A week ago, the Slovenian Martin Cater got a big surprise.
