Matthias Mayer is back in racing mode

A familiar face appeared on Wednesday at the women’s European Cup downhill in Zauchensee. With starting number V1, none other than the three-time Olympic champion joined the fray Matthias Mayer.

There was a lot to cheer about on the descent. The ÖSV was happy about a quadruple success: the Carinthian team Nadine Fest sat ahead of her compatriot by nine hundredths of a second Carmen Spielberger through, the two Vorarlberg women Leonie Zegg and Victoria Olivier landed right behind it.

The ÖSV knows that Matthias Mayer has not forgotten how to ski. They have not given up hope of returning. Last but not least, that Comeback von Lindsey Vonn has shown that experience can play a greater role than age, especially in the speed sector. At 34, Mayer is also six years younger than the American, who took a five-year break from racing.

Only two seconds slower

Mayer has been training with the ÖSV downhill skiers for several weeks, including on the racing slope in Saalbach-Hinterglemm. According to KURIER information, he was between 2 and 3 seconds slower than his colleagues. Mayer, who retired from active racing at the end of 2022, announced in December that he wanted to start as a precursor at the upcoming home World Cup in February. But he has no intention of a comeback.

There will be another downhill run in Zauchensee on Thursday and a Super-G on Friday. According to the organizers, Mayer wants to make the first tracks again on the descent. The 34-year-old also took part in the training runs on Monday and Tuesday.