He had tried everything again. In order to continue to be part of the Alpine skiing circus, Benedikt Staubitzer even joined a private team before the season. But after a sporting disappointing winter, the Garmisch-Partenkirchner ended his career.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen - Benedikt Staubitzer is at a crossroads. When the giant slalom specialist from Garmisch-Partenkirchen lost his place in the squad of the German Ski Association last summer, he had to make a decision: stop or bite through on his own - these are his options. Staubitzer chooses the latter, joins the Global Racing private team, trains at his own expense with 13 athletes from eight nations. Once again he puts everything on the professional sports card. He wants to show that he can keep up with the best. That he can do it. One season later it can be summarized: nothing came of it. Staubitzer has had a winter without a World Cup, the ski elite is still a long way behind. Now the 29-year-old has drawn consequences - and ended his active career.
"I simply lacked the perspective," he admits openly. A return to the DSV team was not an issue due to the lack of World Cup results. Staubitzer could have spent another year at Global Racing. But for another season without the association's support, the SC Mittenwald athlete lacked motivation. "A year ago it was completely different," he emphasizes. A career end would have felt wrong for him, almost like an escape. "As if I would not try everything." Now he looks at his decision much more relaxed. "I know that I really gave everything to be successful." Unfortunately, it wasn't enough for the really big hit.
15th place at the home race as a highlight
The sporting skills would have been there. At just 22 years of age, Staubitzer made the first exclamation mark at the Home World Cup in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. 15th place in the giant slalom - "a huge experience". However, as a result he does not manage to preserve the performance, falls short of his own expectations. "I put too much pressure on myself after Garmisch," he says. Staubitzer regularly wanted to be in the top 15 - and instead fell to a low. It was only with the help of a mental trainer that Staubitzer found his way back to old strength three years later. The places eleven and twelve in Hinterstoder and Sölden speak for themselves. "I was on a really good path." But as so often happens in competitive sports, the body of the Werdenfelser begins to strike. A herniated disc and a cruciate ligament rupture put him out of action for two years. As a result, Staubitzer can no longer build on his best form. Twelfth place in Sölden in October 2016 remains his last World Cup result.
Bitter setbacks - without question. But don't let Staubitzer get discontented. He remembers his time in the alpine circus as consistently positive. The years with companion Fritz Dopfer - "a role model and friend" - were also too beautiful, as was the past winter in the colorfully mixed private team. "All really cool guys," says the 29-year-old. "I am very happy that I got to know her."
No fixed plans for the future
How things will continue for Staubitzer in the future is open. In any case, he did not have a clear plan. "I'll let things come to me." Until September, he would still benefit from his place in the sports support group of the Bundeswehr. Then he has a job in the event industry in mind. “I would enjoy something like this.” Staubitzer's approach to sports is more relaxed than in previous years. Although he would like to climb the mountains every now and then, he also takes his breaks on the couch at home. "I still have a bit of a guilty conscience," he says and laughs. "Hopefully I won't put on a few pounds right away." But let Dustitzer enjoy the rest. Because one thing can certainly not be blamed for him: That he has not given everything for his dream in the years.
