The Sesto ski acrobat is now becoming a goalscorer

Moritz Happacher is considered one of the most talented freestylers in South Tyrol. Now the Sesto native is taking a new path. This leads him to a bakery – and to South Tyrolean football.

August 09, 2023

From:
Thomas Debelyak

When Moritz Happacher straps on his two short skis, it's clear to everyone: things are about to get spectacular. Sometimes the Pusterer catapults himself meters into the air from one of these artificially created snow hills and performs several air rolls before landing. Sometimes he slides his skis over a narrow metal pole, known in freestyle as a rail, and then touches down in the snow with a stylish twist. Sometimes he glides backwards down a steep slope that some skiers would have problems with even the right way round.

Yes, ski freestylers are true acrobats in the snow. Moritz Happacher was one of them for a long time - and a really talented one at that. As a teenager in the South Tyrolean national team, and later in the Italian national team, the 22-year-old finally competed in his first two World Cup races last season and, as a highlight, was able to go to the World Cup in Georgia. But there will be no further missions. The Sesto native quietly ended his career.

Spectacular images: Moritz Happacher in action.

“I noticed that the joy is no longer as great as it used to be,” says Happacher. The key moment was, of all things, his big career highlight, the World Cup. “I went there with great joy, but when I got home I realized how tough this sport really is. To get into the top 20 you have to take a huge step, to be in the top 5 you have to make the same leap again. In this sport the difference between athletes is huge. I began to doubt whether I still wanted to do this,” says the young Pusterer.

Now he storms for AFC Sexten

When Happacher tore the collateral ligament in his knee at the Italian Championships in April, it soon became clear to him: that was it. Also because the desire for a regular life became greater and greater. “I lived my dream and saw a lot of the world. But now I enjoy not having to travel all the time.”

Moritz Happacher before the start of a World Cup race.

In addition, Happacher can now pursue his second great passion. He has been playing football again for a few weeks now, with his hometown club Sexten, which is in the 2nd amateur league. “I always played football until I was 16, and with Sexten we even became U15 national champions. Then I joined the freestyle national team, but unfortunately playing football was too dangerous and I had to stop,” said Happacher, who now wants to cause a sensation as a striker. “I’m still a bit lacking in feeling for the ball, but it’s slowly getting better,” he smiles.

New life as a baker

Happacher also quickly found a new job – or rather a new vocation. “My family runs a bakery in Sexten. “I’m helping out there now,” says the 22-year-old, who works in the bakery from 4 a.m. every day and is also training to be a baker. “I really enjoy this,” says the Sesto native happily.

But the close friend of tennis star Jannik Sinner hasn't completely given up on skiing. “In winter I will definitely put my skis on again and do a few laps. But then without competitions,” he assures. You will still see one or two spectacular moves from Moritz Happacher. After all, it’s in his blood.