Neureuther may miss season opener in Soelden
The World Cup season opener in Soelden, Austria on Oct. 25 may be missing Germany’s best technical skier. Felix Neureuther has been forced to take a multi-week training break due to back pain and may skip the first race of the 2014-15 season if time is not on his side.
Neureuther had planned to prepare for the opener with ramped up training in the coming weeks, but the 30-year-old’s plans have been put on hold due to a nagging injury.
“The back has always given me problems in recent years,” said Neureuther. “In the last few weeks I was able to train. … [now] I will follow the advice of the doctors, take a break and undergo intensive physiotherapy treatment.”
His start in Soelden is still a possibility, but not one for which he is willing to take any risks in order to fulfill. He has never qualified for a second run on the glacier and typically finds greater success in GS as the season takes form.
“Of course my goal is to start in the World Cup season opener on the Rettenbach,” he said. “On the condition, however, that I am pain free and fit to go.”
Germany’s head men’s coach Mathias Berthold is also focused on Neureuther’s full recovery.
“For Felix, it is important now to focus on the therapeutic measures,” said Berthold. “He is well looked after medically, and if the predictions of the doctors are confirmed, he will return to training soon.”
Release courtesy of DSV