Rebensburg leads 10 German starters in Soelden

By Published On: October 24th, 2014Comments Off on Rebensburg leads 10 German starters in Soelden
Viktoria Rebensburg celebrates after finishing third in the 2013 Soelden World Cup. GEPA

Viktoria Rebensburg celebrates after finishing third in the 2013 Soelden World Cup. GEPA

The German team will start a total of ten athletes in the Soelden World Cup opener over the coming weekend. As a season-long focus, the national team — particularly on the ladies side — will look to reassert its dominance in the wake of Maria Hoefl-Riesch’s retirement, but the newly-initiated structure lead by Markus Anwander will span the course of two years.

“In this season and in the next, we will give young women the necessary time — especially in regards to consistency — to evolve into the world’s best,” said Wolfgang Maier, sports director of the German Ski Federation. “I hope that we have a powerful women’s team again by the 201-17 World Championships and will have more than one athlete (Rebensburg) contending for the medals. “

Although Felix Neureuther has elected to skip Soelden and instead start his season in Levi after returning from a back injury, the German team of 10 will still be one to watch in Soelden.

“Although the conditions on the glaciers in the last few weeks were not always perfect, I’m satisfied with my preparation for the season opener in Soelden,” said a confident Rebensburg who finished on the podium in 2013. “My motivation is generally high in Soelden. For one, I’ve had good results there, and on the other hand the first race of the season always has a very special appeal. Moreover, it will be my first appearance on new material. The switch to the Stoeckli skis has been easy for me, and I think we will find the optimal setup for the conditions in Soelden.”

Women:

  • Lena Duerr
  • Simona Hoesl
  • Veronique Hronek
  • Viktoria Rebensburg

Men:

  • Fritz Dopfer
  • Stefan Luitz
  • Alexander Schmid
  • Dominik Schwaiger
  • Benedikt Staubitzer
  • Linus Strasser

Maier also has a particular focus in mind for the development of the German men’s team under the direction of new head coach Mathias Berthold.

“The focus of this development (of the men’s team) is both to continue to build the speed team as well as guide young talents along with the world leaders in giant slalom and slalom,” continued Maier. “Together with the athletes we have defined the goals for the upcoming World Cup season: We want to come home from Vail with three medals — one for ladies, one for the men, and a team competition.”

The season is long and the start is only just around the corner, but Dopfer is confident he can contribute to the overall team goals, perhaps starting as early as Sunday.

“My preparation was good, and I hope to demonstrate this on the course in Soelden,” said Dopfer. “My focus in recent weeks has been on giant slalom, and my goal is to take another step forward (in the discipline). A good start in Soelden would be ideal.”

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About the Author: C.J. Feehan

Christine J. Feehan is a USSA Level 300 coach who spent more than a decade training athletes at U.S. ski academies - Burke, Sugar Bowl, and Killington - before serving as Editor in Chief at Ski Racing Media through 2017. She worked for the FIS on the World Cup tour for three years and then settled into her current home in Oslo, Norway.