Between music and hay work: Florian Schieder's way back

“I haven't forgotten how to ski.” It's this one sentence that sounds like a lot of defiance, but actually reflects Florian Schieder's attitude exactly. In the following interview, the born fighter reveals why he wants to compete with the best downhill skiers in the world again soon. Due to his long period of suffering, our first question in conversation with him is formally given.

Wie geht es Ihnen?

Florian Schieder: “I'm feeling good again now. Everyday life is already going smoothly without any problems, and I can also work extensively during training. In terms of sport, I’m of course still in the development phase.”

Her ordeal began almost 14 months ago at the World Ski Championships in Cortina. Back then, even TV viewers could hear your screams after a fall. How often do you think back to that day? “I don't give it a single thought, it's a thing of the past. How does it help me to keep recalling the scene? I’m far too pragmatic for that.”

What has happened since the fall? “Initially it was 'only' assumed that the cruciate ligament was torn, but two months later cartilage damage was also diagnosed. I had to go under the knife again. Since the following conservative treatment did not bring the hoped-for success in the first stress tests on skis, a third surgical procedure followed in mid-October. Afterwards I went to Innsbruck for rehab before I started physiotherapy in Klausen after the turn of the year.”

Did you suffer any permanent damage? “Basically my knee is fine again. However, since the meniscus was completely shattered during the fall, it had to be removed. As a result, the wear and tear on the cartilage tissue will remain higher than before. This means that from now on I will have to reduce the load on skis a little and will choose my training trips more specifically, according to the motto: more quality, less quantity.”

Have you thought about ending your career? “No, that was absolutely never an issue! Some people may have thought that they would let it go now, but I was always aware that it was absolutely possible for me to return with a healed knee.”

“At some point I stopped turning on the TV.” Florian Schieder

How far did you distance yourself from the action in the Ski World Cup last winter? “I visited my teammates one evening during the World Cup days in Val Gardena, and I also analyzed the races with the coaches over the phone from time to time. At some point I stopped turning on the TV because it got difficult toward the end.”

What do you mean?

“I'm not someone who lets myself be dragged down mentally, and I don't need pity from those around me in difficult moments. However, things got tough when I saw in the last few races how drivers from the back of the field suddenly achieved top results. These athletes were significantly slower than me last season. Then you start to think a bit.”

How did you distract yourself then? “It wasn’t that easy, especially on weekends. While my friends were having fun on the ski slopes, I was often sitting around at home. Next winter I'll give them a good reason to spend their Sundays in front of the TV instead of on the slopes." (laughs)

Will it be difficult to fight your way back into the team? “Some interesting, young drivers are coming up from behind. There will soon be real competition. If my physical condition is right, I'm quite sure that I'll be able to catch up. I didn’t forget how to ski within a year.”

How did you rate the past World Cup season?

“Aleksander Aamodt Kilde impressed me; he skied like a machine. It was a difficult season for my teammates. But I think that guys like Dominik Paris will be at the forefront again next season. The young people also give reason for hope.”

What's coming up for you in the next few weeks?

“I will continue to increase my training workload until the beginning of May. Then we're going on vacation to Puglia, which I've definitely planned. Afterwards we make hay at home on the farm, so I can't leave (laughs). The national teams should be announced at the end of May, and from then on I want to go full throttle again!”

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Between music and hay work: Florian Schieder's way back

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