As of: January 18, 2024, 3:57 p.m
By: Marius Epp
Comments
Press
Split
Thomas Dreßen in his greatest triumph: victory at the Streif in 2018. Five years later he ended his career at the same place.
© Press photo ULMER/Andreas Schaad
Ski star Thomas Dreßen is ending his active career as a skier.
Before that, he asks “his” Streif to one last dance.
Kitzbühel – Thomas Dreßen swallowed hard when he announced the premature end of his career at the site of his greatest triumph.
“It's difficult for me to say hello, but I'm at peace with myself,” said the best German downhill skier in World Cup history in a hotel in Kirchberg.
He set out from the same place early in the morning on January 20, 2018 as an outsider, only to return a few hours later as a sensational winner on the famous and infamous Streif in neighboring Kitzbühel.
One more race and then it's over: On Saturday, Dreßen will take part in his farewell run on the classic Hahnenkamm downhill run - in front of 40,000 spectators and exactly six years to the day after his great triumph.
After 80 starts, five victories and numerous top placings, a circle has come full circle - but earlier than expected and differently than hoped: Last weekend in Wengen, Dreßen (31) had to realize that his right knee was seriously damaged Fall in November 2018, can no longer withstand the stress.
“Of course there is life afterward, and I want to play sports with my children and raise them actively,” said Dreßen.
He is looking forward to his farewell: “What could be more dignified than ending your career in Kitzbühel?
I want to enjoy that again.”
For the German Ski Association (DSV), Dreßen's resignation is a low blow in already difficult times.
“You already have someone who can reach for the starry sky, and then something like that.
It's bitter, especially because he's still so young.
It's like a curse," said Alpine boss Wolfgang Maier to the SID and added: "We need a leader like Tom."
Dreßen had shown great promise since he won the Streif six years ago, but just a few months later his career went off track for the first time: On November 30, 2018, Dreßen had a serious fall in Beaver Creek - torn cruciate ligament, total damage to his right knee Damaged hip.
Exactly one year later, the miraculous resurrection: third World Cup victory in the comeback in Lake Louise, two more by the end of the season in March 2020.
Everything is all right again?
No.
The fall of Beaver Creek remains present to this day, precisely its consequences.
Between March 2020 and November, i.e. for two and a half years, Dreßen did not compete in any races, with the exception of the 2021 World Cup downhill (18th).
First the hip required surgery, then repeated surgery on the knee.
Even when Dreßen wanted to start regularly again last winter, his body often didn't cooperate.
Despite illness and knee pain, he only rode well at the World Championships: tenth place in the downhill, just 0.26 seconds away from bronze.
Dreßen began this winter with great optimism.
The birth of his daughter in June gave him “a boost,” the 2018 Olympic fifth-place finisher proudly reported, and yes, he emphasized several times, “I’m looking forward to the new season.”
He answered questions about his physical condition with the comparison that he now has to be cared for like a “vintage car” or “like a Formula 1 car” - that is, conscientiously down to the last screw.
In fact, they in the German team were impressed by the determination with which Dreßen worked on himself.
Only: Dreßen had to realize at the latest in Wengen that the return to the top of the world would no longer be possible.
“You really throw yourself into it and I really try everything.
But it’s bitter when your body just stops playing along.”