The big Mölgg farewell: Looking back on a unique career

It was on January 12, 2003, when Manfred Mölgg was at the start of a World Cup race for the first time. It was in Bormio, it was a slalom, and the course setter for the first run was Christian Thoma, who was still a coach at the “Azzurri” at the time. Mölgg had start number 1 and was unable to qualify for the second run. Today in Flachau the circle closes. Mölgg will be at the start of a World Cup race for the 69th time. “I was able to do what I dreamed of as a child. That was just beautiful.” Manfred Mölgg In these 19 years in the World Cup, Manfred Mölgg has experienced a lot and, above all, achieved a lot. Even if he says: “I could have won more.” But a World Cup medal, 3 World Cup medals and 3 World Cup victories are a record that the majority of ski racers can only dream of. The reason why he wasn't even more successful is that a number of injuries accompanied his career. Plagued by injuries Even at a young age, my back didn't quite cooperate. When he became runner-up in the slalom world championship in 2007, he didn't even know the day before whether he would even be able to start. “I had already told the coaches that I wouldn’t start. But they said they would keep me on the start list. “Luckily, because the next day it worked out somewhat,” he remembers one of the most special moments of his career. His most serious injuries were a torn Achilles tendon in the summer of 2014 and a torn cruciate ligament two years ago.

Manfred Mölgg in action at a World Cup slalom: This picture will be available for the last time today. © ANSA / JEAN-CHRISTOPHE BOTT

As a boy, he learned to race in St. Vigil in Enneberg with his sister Manuela on the Ciansross and Pre-da-Peres slopes. Marco Kaneider, Roman Erlacher and Klaus Kastlunger were the teachers. Little Manni had a poster of Marc Girardelli hanging in his room. “It soon became apparent that I wanted to become a ski racer. And then I was actually able to do what I dreamed of as a child. That was just beautiful,” says Manni Mölgg. Many companions come to say goodbye When he looks back, he doesn't talk about what he gave to skiing. Rather, he thanks you for what he has received. “At the top is my family, who have always supported me and had a lot of patience with me. My brother Michi was even my service man for a long time. And there are so many other people who were there for me, they all did their part.”

Back then he was still a skinny kid: Manfred Mölgg at a Sparkasse slalom (today's Marlene Cup) in 1998.

He is particularly pleased that many of his companions will be coming to Flachau today, including his first service man Stefan Taschler. And another thank you goes to the fans and even to the readers of the Dolomites : “Thank you for watching me and reading the articles about me.” “Manuela has always been a great support for me. Without them I wouldn’t be where I am now.” Manfred Mölgg When asked about the most emotional moment of his career, he doesn't have to think for a second. It wasn't one of his successes, but rather the failure of his sister Manuela at the 2009 World Cup slalom shortly before the finish, when she almost had the gold medal around her neck. “That affected me emotionally and I still think about it often today. Manuela has always been a great support for me. Without her I wouldn't be where I am now. Now her son Ben is here, who is more important than any medal.”

Manfred Mölgg's attitude was always exemplary. “My trainers gave me that when I was a child. And then I just have this great passion for this sport,” he says, explaining the reasons for this. He was always a role model for his younger teammates. And he has the following advice for young people who want to become ski racers: “You have to believe in yourself, then you can go far. It is also important to listen to the right people in your environment. And it also takes patience.” Favorite race: Schladming His favorite race was the night slalom in Schladming, not only because he was on the podium there for the first time in the World Cup. But he also has good memories of Flachau, where he is competing in his last race today. “I came ninth in the giant slalom in 2004. Those were my first World Cup points in this discipline.”

The slalom in Flachau will be his last World Cup race. It is not yet clear whether it will be his last race at all. Maybe he'll start again at the Italian Championships.

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The big Mölgg farewell: Looking back on a unique career

One of the greatest South Tyrolean ski careers comes to an end today. Manfred Mölgg will compete in his last race at the World Cup night slalom in Flachau. In front of a big crowd, as he deserves it. Before this final appearance, he reflects on his life as a ski racer.

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Football

Italy

International leagues

International

Winter sports

Hockey

Tennis

Other sports

Motorsport

Cycling

Watersports

Events

Favorites

The big Mölgg farewell: Looking back on a unique career

One of the greatest South Tyrolean ski careers comes to an end today. Manfred Mölgg will compete in his last race at the World Cup night slalom in Flachau. In front of a big crowd, as he deserves it. Before this final appearance, he reflects on his life as a ski racer.

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