The back holds

ÖSV youngster reaches for the fixed World Cup ticket

"A place on the podium is also the goal in France - to be honest, victory," said 20-year-old Elias Leitner from Montafon, making no secret of the expectations with which he set off for both European Cup competitions in Isola 2000 yesterday.

Expectations that are by no means far-fetched, as the St. Gallen native has already finished first, second and third this season. After ten of 14 decisions, the army athlete is now in second place in the overall EC standings, just 33 points behind leader Kurt Hosinho (Germany).

His big goal, the World Cup fixed ticket, which is available for the top 3, could already be secured in Isola. To do so, however, he would have to leave on Thursday with a 200-point lead in fourth place. Currently it is 138... 
The back problems that Elias was suffering from recently are also gone. "The physios at the Olympic Center have done a great job."