Now taking part in the World Championships after all

ÖSV lady: “I had to distance myself from that”

Christina Ager(Bild: GEPA)

Following Ricarda Haaser's withdrawal from the World Championships, the ÖSV brought Christina Ager to Saalbach-Hinterglemm at short notice. The 29-year-old had not been nominated for the World Championships beforehand. Instead of watching yesterday's super-G, she skied on the Arlberg. "I had to get away from it," said Ager.

The Tyrolean, who finished 23rd in the third downhill training session, is not an option for tomorrow's downhill for technical reasons, but could take Haaser's place in the team combined next week. "I like being there, I'm happy, I can soak up the atmosphere. I'm just enjoying it," said Ager after "very turbulent" hours on Thursday afternoon, when it was time to "pack up and please come."

"It was really difficult for me"
Ager had not followed the super-G after the World Championship disappointment and had gone skiing on the Arlberg instead. "I had to get away from it," said the 29-year-old. "The week after I was told it wasn't going to happen was really hard. It was really difficult for me to get my head around it and motivate myself for training."

Ariane Rädler(Bild: GEPA)

Now an unexpected appearance at the major event beckons. "It's a privilege to be able to compete for Austria at a World Championships." Ager finished fourth in the special downhill in Saalbach last year.