Innerhofer ponders: “Life will turn in a new direction”

He had just completed what was probably the last World Championship appearance of his career, the work was done, when Christof Innerhofer leaned on the railing in the mixed zone in Saalbach-Hinterglemm and took a lot of time for the journalists. He needed to talk.

13. February 2025

From Saalbach-Hinterglemm

From:
Alexander Foppa

Innerhofer had to wait a long time for his last ride down the Zwölferkogel because of fog interruptions. And then it was also extremely messed up. He finished 14th in the team combination, later his partner Fillippo Della Vite dropped out completelyNevertheless, he answered all of the journalists' questions with a smile on his face. The 40-year-old is still a very sought-after man in the skiing world. And there are reasons for this.

On the one hand, Innerhofer is someone who doesn't mince his words. Someone who is known for his sharp analyses. On the other hand, however, the question of the approaching end of his career keeps coming up. The oldie doesn't avoid it either: "I don't know how much longer I'll be driving. But yes, that was probably my last World Cup. In two years I probably won't be there anymore. But life goes on - it will just turn in a new direction. I don't have anything to mourn."

“I don’t need to hide my skiing” Christoph Innerhofer

The eloquent Gaiser repeatedly stresses that he would make room for the youngsters if they were to move up. This is not the case at the moment (yet). "And so I am taking the best things from this World Cup with me. I have met so many people here who want to motivate me to keep going, who pat me on the back and give me compliments," says Innerhofer in SportNews-Interview. In general, he seems to want to clear up criticism of his person: "I don't feel bad or alone just because I'm not in the top ten. I don't need to hide my skiing."

Christof Innerhofer competed in his ninth World Championship in Saalbach-Hinterglemm. © APA / TOBIAS STEINMAURER

Innerhofer is the most experienced man in the skiing circus. In all speed competitions he was the oldest starter in the field. He has learned to live with the fact that he is no longer competing for the top spots. "Of course I sometimes look back and think about 2011 and 2014, when I stood on the World Cup podium and was celebrated. But that was a long time ago - and I can live with that."

“I then say to myself: Hey, it’s not that bad.” Christoph Innerhofer

Innerhofer says he knows exactly what is good for him. He appreciates "the privilege of still being able to compete at the age of 40. When I'm the first one up the mountain early in the morning, I say to myself: Hey, it's not that bad - even if I'm always a few tenths behind."

If it were up to "Inner", the conversation would not have ended with this fitting final sentence. But he has to move on. Impatiently, other journalists reach out their microphones, recording devices and cell phones to him. Scenes like this show that when the time comes and Innerhofer's life actually takes a new direction, the ski circus will lose a great personality.

Listen to the entire audio interview with Christof Innerhofer here:

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