Brother Loïc’s victory gives her courage
Meillard wants to grab the last chance for the World Cup
Mélanie Meillard (24) still has two slaloms to get a World Cup ticket. The triumph of her brother Loïc in Schladming is a great motivation.
Published: 31 minutes ago
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Will Mélanie Meillard find a way out of the pole forest? She needs good results in Špindlerův Mlýn.
Mathias Germannreporter sports
The World Cup train is already full. Nevertheless, Mélanie Meillard (24) could still squeeze into him. To do this, she needs a place in the top 7 in Spindlermühle (Tsch) or two in the top 15. These are Swiss-Ski’s selection criteria in order to be recommended for a World Championship start in Méribel. ‘I don’t think about that. But I know anything can happen, »she says before the two slaloms. With Wendy Holdener (29), Camille Rast (23), Aline Danioth (24) and Elena Stoffel (26), four Swiss women have already met the requirements of the association – should Meillard also succeed, the coaches would have to delete someone.
It’s not that far yet. Meillard has to stretch one way or the other. This season she was once 17th (Killington) and once 18th (Zagreb) – that was all. «At the beginning of winter it didn’t work, then at some point it did. Sometimes yes sometimes no. That doesn’t make it easy.”
Very nervous in front of the TV
At least the left knee, which has been operated on twice, is ready, hardly any worries. “Sometimes I have to be careful. But I can drive how I want.” She is not afraid of getting injured again, emphasizes the Neuchâtel native who grew up in Valais. “The risk as a ski racer is always there, one way or the other.”
After all: The first World Cup victory of her brother Loïc in Schladming is a great motivation for Mélanie. “I was more nervous in front of the TV than at my own races. It’s wonderful that it worked out and reminds me that one day I want to be at the front again.”