As it became known only yesterday, Katharina Liensberger had already tested positive for Corona on Friday. Since then, the ski world champion has been in quarantine. The ÖSV had named the Vorarlberg woman for the two giant slalom runs today and tomorrow (10/13 p.m. live ticker on nachrichten.at) in Courchevel, France. The further tests will determine when the 24-year-old will be allowed to return to the racing circuit.
At least for the first giant slalom, Liensberger will be out of action, but her forced break will likely last longer. “The goal has to be Lienz (December 28th and 29th; note),” said Patrick Riml, who is responsible for high-performance sport in the ÖSV and who represents Christian Mitter in France. The ÖSV racing director also tested positive for Corona during the speed races in Val d’Isere. Both infected people have recently had no contact, are vaccinated and show mild symptoms. How quickly Liensberger can start again after a negative test depends on several factors. The organizers also have a say. After the cases became known, all team members were tested several times in the ÖSV camp.
In Courchevel, Franziska Gritsch, of all people, returns to the World Cup with Franziska Gritsch who was unable to travel to the North America races because she did not have the corona vaccination. Everything she had to say on this matter, she had already published in her post, said the Tyrolean in France.
Elisa Mörzinger in the squad
The loss of front woman Liensberger makes the task more difficult for the ÖSV women who have not yet won this season. Austria’s technicians are even without a podium this winter. In addition to Gritsch, Stephanie Brunner, Ramona Siebenhofer, Ricarda Haaser, Katharina Huber, Katharina Truppe and debutante Nina Astner, Elisa Mörzinger from Altenfeld also made the leap into the eight-person line-up. The Mühlviertel giant slalom specialist had to leave Killington (USA) because of the wind-related cancellation of things that had not been achieved. This race will now be made up in Courchevel.
Shiffrin intervenes again
The only giant slalom of the season so far was won by Mikaela Shiffrin at the start of the season in Sölden, ahead of Lara Gut-Behrami (Sui), Petra Vlhova (Svk) and Liensberger, who are also missing due to Corona. In Courchevel, the US-American will also face the Italian Sofia Goggia, who was last in top form in the speed races and leads the overall World Cup by 65 points.
The best Austrian is currently Ramona Siebenhofer in eighth place. The 30-year-old buckled on her giant slalom skis in yesterday’s training session: “I like the variety.”
Source: Nachrichten
