Felix Neureuther announced a “long-term goal” on Friday evening. The German extended the contract with his supplier until 2022 and does not want to “rule out” the Olympic Winter Games in Beijing. He also confirmed a start at the giant slalom in Sölden on Sunday (from 10 am in the LIVETICKER).
Due to back problems Neureuther had to limit his training considerably. The year 2022 on the agreement “is not just a number for something to stand for,” Neureuther assured, “the fact is that there is a longer-term goal behind it.
In Beijing, the best German ski racer would be almost 38 years old. Neureuther restricted that he must of course stay healthy until then “and the family plays along”. He’s the father of a one-year-old daughter.
On Saturday noon Neureuther decided to compete in the men’s World Cup giant slalom on Sunday on the Rettenbach glacier above Sölden. It’s his first race since the cruciate ligament rupture he suffered during training in November 2017 in the USA, shortly before he had won the slalom in Levi.
Due to the weather forecast with lots of snowfall, the jury has already decided to set the course for the men’s race on Sunday morning. In addition, as with the ladies, there will be a shortened distance from the reserve start.