Veith to return to competition in Semmering
431 days after injuring her knee, Anna Veith will return to competition in Semmering, Austria on Dec. 27 for the giant slalom. The two-time overall World Cup champion suffered from a torn ACL last year that required surgery and has been building back her strength before getting back to competition.
“I feel ready for the comeback,” said the Olympic champion. “I am physically far from being back on the same level as before the injury, but there has been significant progress in the training of the past weeks, so I would like to get back. I’m really looking forward to this step, and it will be a very special feeling to be back in the start gate after so long.”
This will mark the first Austrian-hosted event since the season opener in Soelden, which now includes an additional giant slalom in order replace the canceled event in Courchevel, France. Veith will join teammates like Michaela Kirchgasser and Stephanie Brunner on the slope, and they feel Veith’s return will breathe new life into the team.
“Christmas was nice to be with the family again,” Brunner said. “I am now happy that we have the races in Austria. At home, I’m always good at it, and I can ski good races. I’m really looking forward to it. It’s cool Anna comes back and races. This also motivates us because it brings fresh wind again.”