Meinhard Erlacher quits: “It’s time to draw a line in the sand”

15 years old – that’s how old Meinhard Erlacher was when he strapped a “board” under his feet for the first time. “I started skiing when I was five years old. But then my neighbor, who was a coach at the time, got me into snowboarding. At his suggestion, I tried it out and I liked it straight away,” says the Enneberger, looking back on the day on which it all began.

The six-time Italian champion contested his first World Cup race in 2001 on his local mountain, Kronplatz. Since then he has competed in a whopping 119 competitions in the highest international racing series. Now, 13 years later, Erlacher has decided to end his active career. “It was a very difficult decision. "I've been struggling with back problems for five years now and I think that after such a long time in international competition, it's time to draw a line in the sand," says the local snowboarder, explaining his decision, which he says he already made at the Olympics playing in Russia: “I made the decision to quit after the giant slalom in Sochi. Only a top result at the Olympics could have motivated me to continue.”

Despite the end of his career, he doesn't want to put his snowboard on the shelf just yet: “I'll definitely take part in one or two races in this country. I could also easily imagine working as a trainer. “But more details still need to be clarified,” reveals Meinhard Erlacher.

Twice on the World Cup podium The man from Val Badia, who will celebrate his 15nd birthday on July 32th, took part in world championships six times in his career. However, he competed at the Olympic Games three times, namely in Turin in 2006, four years later in Vancouver and this year in Sochi. “The three Olympic participations are certainly among the most moving moments of my career. The best moment, however, was when I stood on the World Cup podium for the first time in Korea (on February 25, 2005, third place),” said Erlacher, who climbed to the third highest podium again four years later at the World Cup in Kreischberg. In addition to his sporting successes, he also always enjoyed spending time with his teammates and coaches.

During his career, the South Tyrolean also took part in numerous races in the European Cup, where he made it onto the podium again this season, namely on December 21, 2013 in Schönberg. He also won the bronze medal in the parallel giant slalom at the Junior World Championships in Rovaniemi, Finland in 2002.

Snowboarders announce national team

With a view to the coming season, the Italian Winter Sports Federation (FISI) recently announced the snowboard team squads for the 2014/15 World Cup season. There will be five South Tyroleans in the A team (parallel) next year: In addition to the confirmed Roland Fiwickeler and Aaron March, Edwin Coratti, Christoph Mick and Nadya Ochner have also been accepted. Hannes Hofer and Andrea Christine Tribus have now been integrated into the second team, like last year. New to the B team, however, are Elisa Profanter from Funes, Jonas Kofler from Schluderns, and the two from Val Gardena Luca Tresoldi and Daniele Bagozza.

Erich PramSoler is no longer head coach of the alpine snowboarders

There have also been changes in the coaching staff. An important one concerns a South Tyrolean: Erich PramSoler will no longer be responsible for the parallel team next year. There is, however, an engagement as a private coach for Fiwickeler and March. Andrea Matteoli takes over his role in the national team. Gert Ausserdorfer, on the other hand, holds the position of youth coordinator for the parallel disciplines.

Perathoner and Visintin confirmed

As expected, among the snowboard crossers, Emanuel Perathoner from Laion and Omar Visintin from Laguna were confirmed in the World Cup team, as were their teammates Fabio Cordi, Michele Godino, Tommaso Leoni, Luca Mateotti, Raffaella Netto and Michela Moioli. Lorenzo Sommariva and Sofia Belingheri are new to the boardercross A team.

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Meinhard Erlacher quits: “It’s time to draw a line in the sand”

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