A very emotional triumph for Hannes Reichelt

Patrick Lang 13.03.2008 21:39 Uhr

Thanks to his superb victory in the last Super-G World Cup race of the season, Austria’s Hannes Reichelt managed to achieve the seemingly impossible performance to clinch the specialty World Cup title with a single point lead on Switzerland’s Didier Cuche, only 16th in that event.

A two-time winner at Beaver Creek in Super-G, Reichelt confirmed his great technical potential last month at Whistler Mountain, capturing the last giant slalom race prior the Finals at Bormio a day after finishing 2nd in the Super-G dominated by his teammate Christoph Gruber.

“I have a hard time believing it, it’s pretty amazing,” he said with a huge smile after the race. “I gave myself not more than 5% chance to get that Crystal globe which represents a huge gaol for me. I knew that I had to win today so I tried as hard as possible but I was pretty convinced that Didier Cuche would easily score a top-10 place today.”

“I think he made the wrong decision in being too conservative and too tactical this time. In fact it was a perfect run for him, long and difficult too.”

“The run was really challenging, the way I like it. I enjoy technically demanding courses with lots of turns which was not the case two weeks ago in Norway. This kind of setting is perfect for a Super-G because you have to be a good skier.”

“It’s a dream-come-through result for me to get that World Cup title which is such a high target for all of us. I had some health problems this winter, I was not as consistent as I was hoping with only a few podiums finishes. I know I can ski better and it will be my goal in future.”

“I also needed some time to find back my best rhythm in giant slalom, yet since my victory at Whistler Mountain, I feel much more confident,” also said the Austrian who aims now to reach the top-10 in the Overall World Cup standings.

Toni Giger, the Austrian head coach, was particularly moved by Hannes performance which will raise the mood of his team strongly hurt by the tragic accident of Mathias Lanzinger at Kvifjtell.

“I think the entire team was very inspired by Mathias’ courage and support,” Giger explained. “He told them to be determined and go for it in the last races. I’m sure that his fighting spirit boosted their moral for these Finals, they were charging very hard today and this success is crucial for them. We needed it a lot and it will help us all to move on.”

Interestingly enough, one of the first persons to congratulate Hannes was nobody else than Lanzinger who watched the race on TV from his hospital room at Salzburg where he has also been giving a press conference. Lanzinger was delighted for his former room-mate and very positive also regarding his own future and talked to him on the phone. “A new chapter of my life has begun but my experience as a former athlete is definitely helping me to fight back and overcome this tough moments,” he told the press at Salzburg. “I’m so happy for Hannes and the entire team and I also want to thank all the people for are helping and encouraging me,” he added.