Ski talent Unterholzner: “At 21, I’m already too old”

“April to August is a long time without ski training. That's why I'm particularly happy that we're here on the Stelvio Pass now." Petra Unterholzner sounds relieved and at the same time focused and self-critical when she talks about her sporting future - and also the past. Last season nothing went right for the Ultner woman. But the slalom specialist is looking forward with confidence and has not lost sight of her goals.

Unterholzner actually wanted to fight his way into the World Cup last year, but then everything turned out completely differently. “Last season was difficult. I was eliminated most of the time and when I did get through, the results were lacking. “Everything didn’t go as I had hoped,” says the technician, summing up her past year. The expulsion from the European Cup and national teams therefore came as no surprise. Nevertheless, she says: “I was hoping that I wouldn't be kicked out because of a weak year. But the association relies on younger drivers in the European Cup. At 21, I’m already too old.” Step by step towards the big goal Unterholzner didn't waste any thought on giving up: “I reflected briefly after the season, but never thought about quitting. My family is completely behind me, that was never an issue.” Over the summer she worked on her fitness with Dominik Paris (the two have the same athletic trainer, Matthias Schnitzer). Now the first snow days are on the agenda. <a data-caption="Petra Unterholzner daheim im Ultental: Im Sommer hält sie sich mit Konditraining und auch mit Hofarbeit (hier beim Tragen von Beregnungsanlagen) fit." data-fancybox="inline-81887" target="_image" href="https://s3-images.sportnews.bz/_images/scale/1280x1280/img/2021/09/petra-unterholzner-daheim-im-ultental-im-sommer-haelt-sie-sich-mit-konditraining-und-auch-mit-hofarbeit-hier-beim-tragen-von-beregnungsanlagen-fit.jpg"> Petra Unterholzner at home in Ultental: In the summer she keeps fit with fitness training and also with yard work (here carrying sprinklers).

Because Unterholzner's Fiamme Azzurre sports group does not have its own coaching staff, training is carried out together with the financial group on the Stelvio Pass. Among others are Alex Hofer, Matteo Canins, Teresa Runggaldier and Vera Tschurtschenthaler (she was also kicked out of the squad in the spring) included. There is no contact with the national team.

In November, Unterholzner wants to take part in the first FIS races in Sulden and recommend himself for higher tasks there: “The most important thing is that I ski fast again. After that, I want to gain a foothold in the European Cup.” Despite all the adversities, she hasn’t forgotten her big goal: “I haven’t lost sight of the World Cup. But everything has to happen step by step. Now other things are in the foreground.”

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Ski talent Unterholzner: “At 21, I’m already too old”

After a mixed season, Petra Unterholzner left the national team in the spring. But giving up is out of the question for the 21-year-old from Ultental. She tries to fight her way back into focus on her own.

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