As of: March 6, 2024, 2:18 p.m
By: Melanie Gottschalk
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The Greek AJ Ginnis cannot build on the great successes of last winter this season.
Still, giving up is not an option.
Aspen – AJ Ginnis won his way into the hearts of fans last season because the technical specialist sensationally took silver in the slalom at the World Championships.
But he can't match last winter's performance this season.
This is also due to physical problems.
Ski star AJ Ginnis has knee problems
Ginnis finished in the top 14 four times in nine slaloms, but was eliminated in the first run of the remaining five races.
Not enough for last season's runner-up world champion - his disappointment was correspondingly great.
“We tried everything, but 50 seconds of skiing wasn’t on the agenda today,” he wrote in an Instagram post after his elimination in Aspen.
He immediately provided an explanation of what the current problem is.
“It's pretty terrible not being able to feel the left side of your lower body.” Apparently Ginnis has knee problems, and he keeps posting pictures on Instagram showing fluid being drained from his knee.
The Greek AJ Ginnis cannot repeat the successes of last season this season.
© Jari Pestelacci/imago
AJ Ginnis also wants to take part in the upcoming slalom
But giving up is not an option for Ginnis: “We will learn to get better and move on,” he concludes his post with a declaration of war.
He wants to compete again next week at the slalom in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, as he writes.
His silver medal in the slalom made him a national hero in his home country of Greece last winter.
At 29 years old, he still has all the time in the world if his body cooperates.
And who knows: Maybe he will even win an Olympic medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
In any case, it would be the new chapter of a real winter fairy tale.
The prerequisite for this is to remain injury-free.
Not all stars managed to do that this winter; races were repeatedly overshadowed by serious crashes.
Ski icon Maria Höfl-Riesch is now also holding those responsible accountable.
(msb)