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The coronavirus had already weakened the sprinting group in November, runners like Tippler, Nicole Schmidhofer, Stephanie Venier and Nina Ortlieb became infected and had to take breaks from training due to severe symptoms.
In addition, bad luck with injuries accompanied the women’s ÖSV throughout the season. Schmidhofer, Ortlieb and Bernadette Schild, who later retired from competitive sports, suffered serious knee injuries. Ricarda Haaser was left out with a herniated disc, Katharina Truppe due to muscle problems and Stephanie Brunner in goal with an ankle injury.
“That was tough”
“There were no common injuries,” Mitter said. “In January, I often thought to myself: Anyone who gets fit has an eight to nine month break two weeks later. That was tough. But we have to fight to make our way there and also look at the other disciplines that we can get there. “
Tippler was second in descent at St. Anton, second in Super-G (Crans-Montana) and third (Garmisch-Partenkirchen). Ramona Siebenhofer took second place on the Val di Fassa descent. The two Styrians and Liensberger occupied the twelve podiums of the ÖSV in this winter of the World Cup. This balance will expand in the next season and more riders will be brought to the top. The Austrians were the furthest in the giant slalom.
Liensberger has “gained self-confidence”
The pattern should be Liensberger’s. The Vorarlbergerin had recently called up their slalom competitors Mikaela Shiffrin and Petra Vlhova as role models, at the end of the season and at the World Cup, she led them both over the ears. “She gained self-confidence with us,” said outgoing ÖSV President Peter Schröcksnadel.
The others would only cook with water, a fact Liensberger became increasingly aware of throughout the season. “You already knew two years ago that she would be someone who could do it in practice,” said the Tyrolean. “If you do that, you will also be successful.”
Mitter blew the same horn. “You have to believe in it, you always have to work on it. I also said at the time that even Marcel (Hirscher, note) could be beaten in his prime or Alberto Tomba. If you say from the beginning that there is no possibility, you can stay home anyway, ”he emphasized. For Liensberger, he wishes she could pick up where she left off at the beginning of next season. “I hope this gives you wings again for next year.”
