South Tyrol's 2018 Olympic starters (2): the Eisacktaler and Pusterer

A total of 15 athletes from the north-east of our country are taking part in the Winter Games, six from the Pustertal, eight from the Eisacktal and one from the Wipptal. Traditionally, biathlon and skiing are the specialties of the people of Pusteria, while the people of Eisacktal are strong in tobogganing, among other things. Here are their short portraits in alphabetical order:

Dominik Filehner Toboggan 24 years, Maranza 2nd Olympic participation – took 6th place in Sochi

Turns 25 during the Olympics, but after his races. Has taken on the difficult legacy of Armin Zöggeler as number 1 in the toboggan team.

Possible races: 10/11.2. Single-seater, 15.2. Team relay

Rating: Since he won the Olympic dress rehearsal last year and most recently the World Cup in Lillehammer, he is one of the extended circle of medal contenders. Kevin Fischller Toboggan 24 years, Maranza 1. Olympic participation

10 months younger cousin of Dominik Fiwickeler. Both come from the tobogganing stronghold of Meransen. Friend of the tobogganist Andrea Vötter.

Possible races: 10/11.2. Single-seater, 15.2. Team relay

Rating: Kevin was often in the shadow of his cousin Dominik Fiwickeler. But this year he won his first World Cup race in Winterberg. But a medal seems out of reach. Roland Fischller Snowboard 37 years, St. Peter Villnöss 5th Olympic participation (2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018) - best result: 8th in the parallel slalom in 2014

At 37 years old, South Tyrol's oldest Olympic starter in 2018. When she took part in the Olympics for the first time in 2002, Lara Malsiner, the youngest of this year's South Tyrolean Olympic team, was only two years old...

Possible races: 24.2. Parallel giant slalom

Rating: The four-time World Cup medalist, who was on the podium three times in the World Cup this year, has had no luck at the Olympics so far. Will he crown his career with an Olympic medal this time? Lukas hofer Biathlon 28 years old, Montal 3rd Olympic participation (2010, 2014, 2018) – best result: 3rd with the mixed relay in 2014

As constant as it is rare. Thanks to several top 10 placements in the overall World Cup, he is currently in eighth place.

Possible races: 11.2. Sprint, 12.2. Persecution, February 15.2th Single, 18.2. Mass start, February 20.2th Mixed relay, February 23.2rd Squadron

Rating: Four years ago he won bronze in Sochi. He won another bronze medal in the mass start at the World Championships in Russia in 2011. The collection can definitely grow. Christoph Innerhofer Alpine Skiing 33 years old, Gais 3rd Olympic participation (2010, 2014, 2018) – in Sochi 2nd in the downhill and 3rd in the super combined

Has a special feeling for major events: He won a complete set of medals at the 2011 World Championships in Garmisch in 2011, and two more medals at the Olympics in Sochi four years ago.

Possible races: 11.2. Departure, February 13.2th Combination, 15.2. Super G

Rating: On the last descents before the Olympics, he impressed in training, but made a mistake in the race. He is still without a podium finish this year, but that can easily change in South Korea. Aaron March Snowboard 31 years, Schabs 3rd Olympic participation (2010, 2014, 2018) – four years ago 4th in the parallel slalom

Anyone who loses a final for third place at the Olympics is particularly to be pitied for their “tiny metal”. That's what happened to March four years ago. Now he is making a new attempt.

Possible races: 24.2. Parallel giant slalom

Rating: In the World Cup this year he is still without a podium finish and only made it into the top 10 once. But: Last year he took third place in the pre-Olympic test in South Korea. A good omen? Dietmar Noeckler Cross-country skiing 29 years, Bruneck/Palatinate 2. Olympic participation – in 2014 he took fifth place in the 4x10 km relay

A little weaker in the individual races recently, but still one of the hottest medal contenders in Pyeongchang.

Possible races: 11.2. Skiathlon, February 18.2th 4x10 km relay, February 21.2st Team sprint, February 24.2th 50 km classic

Rating: “Didi” Nöckler has been the congenial partner of Italy’s sprint star Federico Pellegrino in team sprints for years. Together they have already won World Cup silver and bronze as well as two World Cup races. If you want to become an Olympic champion, you first have to defeat them both. Emanuel Perathoner Snowboard cross 31 years, Laion 2nd Olympic participation – four years ago 39.

You might see snowboard cross as a lottery, but anyone who has consistently ended up in the top field for 13 years has to master their craft - like the Laioner.

Possible races: 15.2. Snowboard cross

Rating: In September, Perathoner achieved his best World Cup placement with second place in Argentina, five years after his first podium finish. Top 10 is also possible in Korea. Patrick Rastner Toboggan 24 years, Lüsen 2nd Olympic participation – four years ago 7.

In the run-up to the Olympics, the nomination of the doubles Rieder/Rastner and Nagler/Malleier and the exclusion of the veterans Oberstolz/Gruber caused a stir.

Possible races: 14.2. Double seater, 15.2. Team relay

Rating: With partner Ludwig Rieder, Rastner took second place in Igls at the start of the season, but then dropped significantly. In the doubles they are not among the medal candidates, perhaps more in the team relay if they are called up. Emanuel Rieder Toboggan 24 years, Maranza 2nd Olympic participation – four years ago 19.

Somewhat surprisingly, Theo Gruber was chosen as the third starter in the single-seaters. Sochi was also there.

Possible races: 10/11.2. Single seater

Rating: His best result in the World Cup this year was 14th place in Altenberg. A top 20 placement seems realistic. Ludwig Rieder Toboggan 26 years, Maranza 2nd Olympic participation – four years ago 7.

In the run-up to the Olympics, the nomination of the doubles Rieder/Rastner and Nagler/Malleier and the exclusion of the veterans Oberstolz/Gruber caused a stir.

Possible races: 14.2. Double seater, 15.2. Team relay

Rating: With his partner Patrick Rastner, the 1,90 m giant took second place in Igls at the start of the season, but then dropped significantly. In the doubles they are not among the medal candidates, perhaps more in the team relay if they are called up. Federico Sanfilippo Biathlon 27 years, Ridnaun/Ratschings 1. Olympic participation

Like all biathletes, he has up to six Olympic races ahead of him, but the results must also be suitable for qualification or nomination.

Possible races: 10.2. Sprint, 12.2. Persecution, February 14.2th Single, 17.2. Mass start, February 22.2nd Squadron

Rating: Sanfilippo hasn't really impressed in the solo competitions this year, but she has shone in the relay, which also has a chance of winning a medal in Korea. Johanna Schnarf Alpine Skiing 33 years, Olang 2nd Olympic participation – 2010 4th in Super-G

Not nominated for Sochi four years ago, narrowly missing the podium in Vancouver eight years ago: Hanna Schnarf still has unfinished business with the Olympics.

Possible races: 17.2. Super-G, 21.2. Departure, February 23.2rd combination

Rating: She recently showed with second place in the Super-G in Cortina that she can definitely be one of the fastest - even in Pyeongchang. Dorothea Wierer Biathlon 27 years, Oberrasen/Castello di Fiemme 2nd Olympic participation – best result: 3rd with the mixed relay in 2014

Can become the stars of the games. She was already considered one of the most beautiful Olympic starters.

Possible races: 10.2. Sprint, 12.2. Persecution, February 14.2th Single, 17.2. Mass start, February 20.2th Mixed relay, February 22.2rd Squadron

Rating: As third in the overall World Cup and with one win and six podium places this year, Wierer has to be counted among the hot medal candidates - in up to 6 races. Dominik Windisch Biathlon 28 years, Niederrasen 2nd Olympic participation – best result: 3rd with the mixed relay in 2014

Same age as Hofer, one year older than Wierer and Sanfilippo, two years older than Runggaldier: our biathletes are all almost the same age.

Possible races: 11.2. Sprint, 12.2. Persecution, February 15.2th Single, 18.2. Mass start, February 20.2th Mixed relay, February 23.2rd Squadron

Rating: Four years ago he won bronze in Sochi with Hofer, Wierer and Karin Oberhofer. If it works out, he definitely has the skills to be at the forefront in South Korea too.

Football

Italy

International leagues

International

Winter sports

Tennis

Other sports

Motorsport

Cycling

Watersports

Events

Favorites

South Tyrol's 2018 Olympic starters (2): the Eisacktaler and Pusterer

Suggestions

Comments (0)