Will not be able to start in Sölden: Stefan Luitz. © APA / EXPA/JOHANN GRODER

The next prominent failure for Sölden

The new ski season is about to begin – but some big names are missing from the start. Among them is a German ski star.

25 October 2024

From: det

Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, Marco Schwarz, Alexis Pinturault – these are prominent names that will not be taking part in the World Cup opening in Sölden. Now the list of absentees has been extended by Stefan Luitz. The German giant slalom specialist had to cancel his participation in the World Cup opening at the last minute.

The reason for this is a hand injury that Luitz sustained last week during training in Schnals. "I hit a gate with my hand and immediately noticed that something had happened," said the 32-year-old in a video on Instagram. Although he had hoped to be able to play until the very end, it didn't work out.

Check out this post on Instagram

A post shared by Stefan Luitz (@stefan_luitz)

Luitz, who was only able to compete in four races last season due to injury, is now hoping for the next giant slalom in Beaver Creek, which will take place on December 8. The German has fond memories of the US venue, as he celebrated his first and only World Cup victory there in December 2018.

Luitz made it to the World Cup podium a total of ten times, but in the summer he lost his squad status with the DSV and has been racing with the Global Racing Team ever since.