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Marco Kohler finishes on the podium for the first time in the European Cup in Italy.
Cedric HeebEditor Sports
Happy day for Marco Kohler (25): The Meiringer is on the European Cup podium for the first time in his career. In the descent from Sella Nevea (I) he is third, 15 hundredths of a second are missing from victory.
It is salvation after a long ordeal. While the longest downhill run in the World Cup is scheduled for Saturday in Wengen, Kohler is also celebrating the third anniversary of the worst day of his life. On January 14, 2020, the promising ski talent will start training on the Lauberhorn as the forerunner.
“I was in really good shape. For example, I’ve never caught the Brüggli-S as well as on that day, »recalls Marco Odermatt’s childhood friend in January 2022 to Blick. With two and a half minutes of driving time in the legs, the Ziel-S is one of the toughest passages in the ski circus. And that’s exactly where it happened: Kohler crashed into the safety fence, fell and then had to be flown to the hospital by helicopter.
Odermatt helped with the comeback
The left knee is completely broken: cruciate ligament, patellar tendon and inner ligament tear as well as a tear in the meniscus. Returning to the racing track seemed impossible at the time: “A doctor told me clearly that he couldn’t imagine doing competitive sports with such a knee.”
But he does not give up, supported by family and association, he fights back. The fitness training with vibrators during rehab also “inspired” him. The current dominator Odermatt also played a major role in the comeback, especially when it came to the ski material: “Marco and I are in contact practically every day.”
And now Kohler is celebrating the long-awaited podium finish. The chance to get the next one is already on Friday in the second descent from Sella Nevea. And the points would be very welcome, because Kohler is currently in 4th place in the downhill classification, four points behind third place. The first three in the final count secure a fixed place for the next World Cup season.
Highlights of the descent: Hintermann wins – Kohler takes off at the finish(02:08)
Attention ski fans! Now quiz and type races
The 2022/2023 ski season is in full swing and so is the “Blick Ski Trophy”: Answer questions every day, type ski races and crown yourself as ski champion. Lots of great prizes await.
To take part in the “Blick Ski Trophy”, you have to register here.
Have fun and good luck!
The 2022/2023 ski season is in full swing and so is the “Blick Ski Trophy”: Answer questions every day, type ski races and crown yourself as ski champion. Lots of great prizes await.
To take part in the “Blick Ski Trophy”, you have to register here.
Have fun and good luck!