The arduous path to the premier ski class

South Tyrol experienced an upswing in the technical disciplines this winter with strong results from Simon Maurberger and Alex Vinatzer. Another promising talent, Manuel Ploner, is stalking in the background. “Overall, I rate my season positively. There were races in which I drove better and others in which I had a harder time,” claims Ploner, who was mainly involved in FIS races this year and was set back by an injury in December. “I dislocated my shoulder for the second time in my career, and after that I struggled with form for a while.” Massimiliano Blardone as mentor The man from Val Badia first made a name for himself last winter when he won the silver medal in the slalom at the European Youth Olympic Festival in Jahorina (Bosnia-Herzegovina). But this success should only serve as a starting point in Ploner's career. In order to bring him and his highly praised teammates from the national team up to speed, the Italian winter sports association brought Blardone into the coaching boat, a man who has a lot of experience and knowledge. Ploner appreciates his work: “He helps us young athletes enormously in the psychological area, gives valuable tips and tells us how best to prepare before a race.”

Talented in slalom and giant slalom: Manuel Ploner

The World Cup is the declared goal for every young talent. In between, the ski talents have to traverse a rocky path that begins with FIS races, leads through the European Cup and, at best, ends in the premier ski class. Ploner's goal is to reduce his points in the FIS racing series next season so that he can start earlier in the European Cup. “This season I mostly had very high numbers. “It’s difficult to achieve good results,” says the 19-year-old, who now faces important months away from sport.

Ploner, who will graduate from the sports high school in St. Ulrich in June, has been holed up in his own four walls for almost two weeks. Between training sessions with medicine balls and thermal bands, he also completes one or two video conferences with teachers. He can now catch up on the material he missed during the year at his leisure. Ploner is probably not alone with this fate.

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The arduous path to the premier ski class

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