This is what the South Tyroleans say before the “Home World Cup” – Part 1

The 18 Nordic World Ski Championships opened in Seefeld on Wednesday evening (2019 p.m.). The first competition is scheduled for Thursday afternoon. In the next week and a half, seven South Tyroleans will also be competing. In the SportNews interview (Part 1), the four local aces who will start the World Cup on Thursday and Friday were asked about their goals.

Cross Country Skiing The cross-country skiers will open the World Championships in Seefeld with the sprint competition. There is also a South Tyrolean at the start. The Bolzano Stefan Zelger will make its World Cup debut. “I have had good experiences at Seefeld: I was able to get my first World Cup points here last season when I finished 28th in the sprint,” said Zelger.

The 23-year-old, who finished in the points twice in the Aoasta Valley last weekend, has set himself high goals for his first world championship. “In the sprint you definitely want to get through the qualification. Who knows, maybe I can make it to the semi-finals (among the top twelve) in the end,” said Zelger optimistically.

Stefan Zelger has recently been in top form. © instagram/stefan zelger

Zelger won't just compete in the sprint in Seefeld. The Bolzano will also be used in the 15 km race in the classic technique. “In the distance race, a place in the top 30 should definitely be possible,” said Zelger. Nordic combined In the combined category, five “Azzurri” were nominated for the World Cup in Tyrol: Alessandro Pittin, Raffaele Buzzi – as well as the three South Tyroleans – Aaron Kostner, Samuel Costa and Lukas Runggaldier. Ultimately, only four athletes will take part in the two individual competitions and the team competition. Only two “Azzurri” will be able to compete in the team sprint. Kostner and Costa will probably fight for a place next to Pittin (who is one of the strongest cross-country skiers in the World Cup).

Aaron Kostner from St. Ulrich has had a successful season: The 19-year-old won his first World Cup points in Lahti in 22nd place and came fourth at the Junior World Championships at the same location. “I'm really looking forward to my first World Championships, because it's taking place in Tyrol. It feels like a home World Championships because I jumped in Seefeld when I was 13 (on the 60-meter jump). Jumping on the Bergisel ski jump in Innsbruck is also a dream because the view there is phenomenal,” reported the euphoric Kostner.

Aaron Kostner was able to impress this winter. © instagram/aaronkostner

Also at Wolkensteiner Samuel Costa There is great anticipation for the World Cup in Tyrol: “Many fans from Val Gardena will support us at this World Cup,” said Costa before his fifth participation in the intercontinental competitions. The 26-year-old, who made his comeback this winter after a serious injury, came fourth in the team sprint (together with Pittin) in mid-January. “I just want to deliver good performances. Whether I will be there in the team sprint depends on how I present myself here,” said Costa in the interview.

Also for Luke Runggaldier from St. Christina, the title fights in Tyrol feel like a home World Cup. “My primary goal is of course to be able to take part in the competitions,” said the 31-year-old. Runggaldier made it into the points twice this season and won a race in the second-class Continental Cup. “I'm in good shape as a runner, but I'm currently looking for my form on the hill,” said Runggaldier before his sixth World Championships.

You will find out what the ski jumpers (Alex Insam, Lara Malsiner and Elena Runggaldier) say about their chances at the World Cup in the second part of the interview on Thursday evening. >>> Click here for the World Cup program

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This is what the South Tyroleans say before the “Home World Cup” – Part 1

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