Maier looks to future by forgetting past

The key to Hermann Maier's remarkable comeback from a life-threatening motorcycle accident is not remembering how he became the World Cup's most dominant skier but rather forgetting.

But the double Olympic champion has not forgotten how to win, and collected his 43rd career victory on Sunday in vintage "Herminator" fashion, attacking the Whitehorn Mountain course to capture the first super-G of the World Cup season.

"It's different from before," explained Maier. "I have to forget everything before my accident. I have a different physical situation.

"I have problems with the nerves in my leg, sometimes I cannot feel things. This is a problem sometimes, especially when I'm gliding.

"I start a new career today."

If Maier's new career is even half as spectacular as his pre-accident career, then the 30-year-old Austrian would still be ranked among the top World Cup skiers.

Before nearly losing his right leg in an horrific accident, Maier had became the toast of Austria and the skiing world for his aggressive winning style.

A former bricklayer and ski instructor discovered by the Austrian team while serving as a fore-runner for a 1996 World Cup race in his hometown of Flachau, Maier quickly established himself as the sport's dominant racer.

He became a national hero and sporting celebrity in North America, Europe and Asia.

But all his World Cup victories, his three overall World Cup titles, two Olympic gold medals and two world championships are now relegated to history as the Austrian embarks on what he terms his second career.

"This is my comeback year," he said. "Next year, I hope to compete at the highest level if I am not to old.

"For me, the only important thing at the moment is to train.