After cruciate ligament rupture

Injured ÖSV downhill skier can hope for home race

Injuries ravaged not only the ÖSV women's team last season, but also the men's team. Just a few days after Marco Schwarz, junior downhill racer Martin-Luis Walch was also hit. Now there is good news from the young man from Vorarlberg, who can possibly look forward to a very special highlight in his comeback season.

"My knee is doing very well," reveals Martin-Luis Walch, who tore his cruciate ligament while free skiing on the Arlberg between Christmas and New Year's Eve 2023. "Healing is going well. I'm even slightly ahead of the internal timetable." However, it remains to be seen when the speed specialist will be able to return to training. "I will certainly give myself enough time and not rush things," explains the 20-year-old, who wants to attack in the European Cup in the new season.

Double downhill on the Arlberg?
And there could be a highlight in store: In the first draft calendar, two downhill races are planned for January 15/16 in Austria. One possible venue is St. Anton. "That would be very cool if we could race from the top on the women's course," says "Malu", eagerly anticipating possible home races.