Americans on the verge of a comeback: Professional skier wants to return to the World Cup after a four-year break

class=”sc-29f61514-0 icZBHN”>

A slightly different comeback: Wiley Maple wants to do it again at the age of 33 and return to the big ski stage.

The American last took part in a World Cup race in December 2019. The speed specialist, who already had more than 70 World Cup competitions to his name, subsequently turned his back on skiing due to serious back problems.

“Forget how much fun it is”

Until last winter. Thanks to surgery on his lumbar spine, he was able to ski again and from then on he competed in the European and North American Cups. His results there were so good that he now wants to try his hand at the world elite again.

“I completely forgot how much fun it was,” Maple told the Ski Racing Media portal. For him, this is the right time for a comeback: “I thought to myself: you will regret it if you don’t at least enter the arena again.”

Record man Clarey as a role model

He chose Johan Clarey (42) as his role model. The French perennial favorite completed 240 World Cup races and in 2022, at the age of 41, became the oldest skier in history to win a medal at the Olympic Games. Clarey has since resigned.

Maple currently has to bake smaller rolls. The American now has to reach the World Cup. He has already collected World Championship points in his 70 races so far, but has never reached the top ten. (bjl)

Source : Blick