Title and baby news: Swiss ski ace gets emotional

From sixth place to first place – in his final appearance of the winter, Marc Rochat achieved a true feat. At the Swiss Championships in Saint-Luc, the 32-year-old slalom specialist put on a fireworks display in the second run, improving by five places and catapulting himself to the first national title of his career. He beat Olympic and World Champion Ramon Zenhäusern (2nd/+0,10 seconds) and Matthias Iten (3rd/+0,25) to the places they placed, while half-time leader Sandro Simonet fell off the podium (4th/+0,64). But the triumph in the canton of Valais was far more than just a sporting exclamation mark for Rochat. Rather, it marked the culmination of an extremely moving season. "Finally! Finally I can go home with a Swiss title. That feels good," he said in an interview with View relieved. Rochat had previously reached the podium seven times in national competitions, but it wouldn't be until his 13th participation since 2010 that he would reach the top spot. Three days earlier, Rochat had celebrated his wedding – an additional boost on the slopes? "There were only good wines, so my head is feeling good today," he said with a broad grin. Great highs, great lows and baby happiness Rochat has had months that were like a rollercoaster ride and at times took their toll on him. "The beginning of the season was emotionally extremely difficult," said the skier, who was eliminated in the first run of each of the first four slaloms of the World Cup season. "You never plan for it, but unfortunately, it happens suddenly. You never know what you have to do to reverse the trend. But I'm extremely proud that I did it." Then the veteran fought back tears: "It was a very difficult season with great highs and great lows. I'm finally ending the season with a Swiss title." It may not be a World Cup victory, "but it means a lot to me. I got married on Friday, I'm here today, and I've done it. That feels good, and I'll take that with me into the next season." Rochat, who celebrated the bronze medal in the team combined event at the Ski World Championships in Saalbach, can still draw strength from a personal highlight in his upcoming preparations for the next season. His child is due to be born in July. "Luckily, I have a wife who also gives it her all at home. I know I can have a great preparation – even with a baby at home. I'm absolutely thrilled," said Rochat. At the end, the Swiss even revealed the secret surrounding the child's gender: "It's a boy."

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Title and baby news: Swiss ski ace gets emotional

On Monday, the slalom title was awarded at the Swiss Championships in Saint-Luc. Marc Rochat rewarded himself for his furious comeback in the second run with first place – and became emotional afterward.

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