Hermann Maier's comeback faces the ultimate test this weekend as the Herminator prepares to tackle a downhill double-header and super-G on one of the World Cup's most challenging and demanding courses.
With the Val d'Isere downhill moved to Beaver Creek due to a lack of snow, the Austrian double Olympic champion faces three gruelling days of competition.
It will not only test his fitness, but the sturdiness of the right leg that he injured in a life-threatening motorcycle accident two years ago.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Maier has said that because of nerve damage he sustained in the crash he does not feel the terrain the way he use to, and the pounding and extreme forces exerted on his damaged leg are likely to be severe.
But Maier, who will celebrate his 31st birthday tomorrow, arrives at this Colorado resort bristling with confidence after a stunning super-G victory on Sunday in Lake Louise, Canada.
While it has been three years since he last raced the Birds of Prey piste, Beaver Creek has been a happy hunting ground for the burly Austrian and the site of some of his greatest successes.
In 10 career starts here Maier can count seven wins, including three world champion gold medals and two World Cup downhill wins.
Maier showed he had lost none of his affinity for the course on Thursday when he clocked the fastest time in the only training run for yesterday's first downhill.
"It's going to be very tough," said Maier, who also had the fastest time in the only training run on Thursday. "For me the last race here was three years ago and now it is very open, very fast with big jumps.
"The win in Lake Louise has given me very much more self-confidence but I will need it because this course is very dangerous."
After letting another big lead slip with an error-strewn performance at the French Open on Wednesday, top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka felt like getting as far away from the courts as possible. “Just want to quit tennis right now,” Sabalenka said after wasting a lead of a set and two breaks in a 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 loss to Diana Shnaider in the women’s singles quarter-finals. “We’ll see in few days. Hopefully I’ll get back on track mentally.” Sabalenka’s wait for a first French Open title continues despite the four-time major winner leading 4-1 in the second set and being two points from victory while
BIG NAMES GONE: Zverev is the clear favorite for a maiden Grand Slam title, reaching semi-finals for the fifth time in six years and finishing second on three occasions Alexander Zverev on Tuesday breezed past Rafael Jodar to stay on course for an elusive Grand Slam title at the French Open, while Jakub Mensik halted Joao Fonseca’s scintillating run in the quarter-finals. Zverev, the highest-ranked player left in the men’s draw, put an end to Spanish teenager Jodar’s impressive Roland Garros debut, easing into the semi-finals with a 7-6, (7/3), 6-1, 6-3 win. The 29-year-old Zverev is the clear favorite for a maiden Grand Slam title. He has finished runner-up on three occasions, including at the 2024 French Open. “I want to win the matches that are ahead of
Liverpool are in advanced talks with former AFC Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola as they seek a replacement for Arne Slot, reports said on Tuesday. Iraola has emerged as Liverpool’s top target to replace Slot, who was sacked on Saturday last week after a turbulent second season in charge. Liverpool have reportedly agreed a deal in principle to bring the Spaniard, who left Bournemouth at the end of this season, to Anfield. Sporting director Richard Hughes was heavily involved in hiring Iraola during his time at Bournemouth and is again spearheading the recruitment of the highly rated coach. The Reds are
US President Donald Trump said he would attend Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Monday at Madison Square Garden, but said he does not have much sympathy for ordinary basketball fans who cannot afford sky-high ticket prices to do the same. “They can watch it on television,” Trump said aboard Air Force One on Friday as he flew to Wisconsin for an event with farmers, after he was asked about tickets that have climbed as high as US$8,000 each when the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs square off in Manhattan for the first time in the series. “It’s sorta
RSS