Lanzinger calls from hospital to congratulate Reichelt

By Published On: March 13th, 2008Comments Off on Lanzinger calls from hospital to congratulate Reichelt

Injured Austrian racer Matthias Lanzinger, who’s recovering in Salzburg after undergoing a lower leg amputation after a crash in Kvitfjell on March 2, was one of the first people to congratulate teammate Hannes Reichelt after he won the super G Thursday at World Cup Finals and clinched that discipline title by a single point.
Injured Austrian racer Matthias Lanzinger, who’s recovering in Salzburg after undergoing a lower leg amputation after a crash in Kvitfjell on March 2, was one of the first people to congratulate teammate Hannes Reichelt after he won the super G Thursday at World Cup Finals and clinched that discipline title by a single point.
    Lanzinger watched the race on television from his hospital room at Salzburg where he has also been giving a press conference. Lanzinger was delighted for his former roommate, and was also positive about his own future.
    “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 moment,” 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.”
    Toni Giger, the Austrian head coach, was particularly moved by Reichelt’s performance, which will raise the mood of his team after Lanzinger’s accident.
     “I think the entire team was very inspired by Mathias’ courage and support,” Giger said. “He told them to be determined and go for it in the last races. I’m sure that his fighting spirit boosted their morale 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.”
     A two-time winner at Beaver Creek in super G, Reichelt confirmed his great technical potential last month at Whistler, capturing the last giant slalom race before the Finals at Bormio a day after finishing second in the super G dominated by his teammate, Christoph Gruber.
     “I have a hard time believing it, it’s pretty amazing,” Reichelt said about winning the title, made possible when Didier Cuche finished 16th and failed to garner any points. A 15th-place finish would have earned Cuche the title.
    “I gave myself not more than a 5 percent 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.”
     Reichelt said he’s hoping to finish high enough in Friday’s GS to move into the top 10 of the overall standings. He’s currently 11th, 36 points behind teammate Mario Matt.
     “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,” he said.
 

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About the Author: Pete Rugh