Herman Maier enjoys World Cup start in Soelden

Two years ago, this image would have been unimaginable - Hermann Maier smiling despite finishing far away from the podium. The triple World Cup Champion, undefeated in Soelden in his best years, was incredibly relaxed after the opening race of the season thought he ended at a modest 16th place, over three second behind the winner, USA’s Bode Miller.
But Maier has changed since he suffered a dramatic motorcycle accident in August 2001 and he is now able to enjoy more such a result which would have upset him a lot when he was the “Herminator” who terminated his rivals race after race in three events.
“I aimed for a top-15 so this is OK ”, he said. “I scored my first World Cup point in giant slalom since March 2001 despite starting in 26th position. In the first run, I didn’t take too many risks but I was more aggressive in the afternoon. It was a nice experience, I really like the way the crowd supported me. I know that I’m still far beyond my best form in giant slalom. I feel more comfortable in the speed events and I hope to prove it in Canada in five weeks”.
“Giant slalom is a tough event especially on such a tough course. I still can’t ski as aggressively as in the good old days. At the end of the present season I should be more competitive too in giant slalom”.
“I was happy to compete again today after some small problems last month. I didn’t ski as much as I wanted but this season is long and I have learned to be patient. I want to move ahead step by step this winter and find back a better level next season. I know that my best years are over but I believe that I can still win races and have fun”.

Maier, who surprisingly won a Super-G last January with only a few days of snow training and then a silver medal at the Worlds in St Moritz, failed to qualify previously in Adelboden in his first race since his accident. The 31-year-old Austrian was 31st, only 0,05 second from the 30th place. He didn’t compete in other giant slalom races afterwards, so that he lost his spot in the first seed. It created much controversy in Austria. Maier and his ski federation had the feeling that the International Ski Federation didn’t follow the normal rule which favors injured racers. But it only increased his motivation.
“I never started as far since my debuts on the World Cup tour in 1997 so I have the feeling I’m a young skier again” he joked about this situation.

Ironically, Hermann received more and louder support from the 15’000 spectators than any of the other skiers. Many tourists even left the course after he ended his second run, without even watching the issue of the competition as no Austrian competitor had a real chance to win and please them on this National Holiday. In fact it’s the first time since October 1998 that no Austrian reached the podium in that competition.

Only 19th after the first run, Maier also took some time to watch the competition from the finish line while being interviews by several TV stations and reporters.
“It was interesting to observe the scene and see how the other skiers handled the difficulties of this demanding slope” he added.
“It was the first time for me for a long time. I don’t mind this for the moment, but it should not become and habit. I’m still out there to win races”.

A winner of 41 World Cup races from February 1997 to March 2007 as well as an impressive collections of gold medals and World Cup titles, Hermann Maier seems to be even more popular than in the past. His accident has also changed his attitude, making him a more relaxed person.
“I have learned a lot in the past two years about me and life in general. I can now better appreciate some aspects of it and I found out it can also be interesting without winning all the time”.

Earlier this week, Maier also set his next important goals for 2004 – ride again as a fore-runner at the prolog of the Tour de France which starts in Liege, Belgium. “I aim to finish among the best 30 this time” he said with a smile – and qualify for the 2006 cycling World Championships which take place in Austria”.
Last July, Hermann was invited by the Tour organizers to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Tour de France in Paris. He only lost fifteen seconds on the slowest rider – but he was happy the same to have been part of the show”.

Philippe Lang