German ski topper suddenly declares resignation: “It really hit me in Wengen”

class=”sc-cffd1e67-0 iQNQmc”>

1/8
One more race and Thomas Dressen’s career is over.
BlickEmployee057.JPG
Ramona BieriSports editor

On January 20, 2018, Thomas Dressen (30) celebrated the greatest success of his career. With starting number 19 he took victory from Beat Feuz (36) on the Streif.

Exactly six years later, the circle has come full circle. He will take part in the 80th and final race in Kitzbühel (Austria) on Saturday. The speed specialist has announced his resignation. He has reached the point “where the body is really saying it can’t work anymore.”

More downhill skiing
Shiffrin with a terrifying statement about the fall of Kilde's Lauberhorn
“I’m lucky to be alive”
Shiffrin with a terrifying statement about the fall of Kilde’s Lauberhorn
ÖSI skier Franz is suffering 14 months after his injury nightmare
He broke both his legs
Ösi-skister suffers from a nightmare 14 months after a nightmare
“I realized that I was actually unhappy”
Braathen about lightning resignation
“I realized that I was actually unhappy”
“The love of my life said yes”
World slalom champion engaged
“The love of my life said yes”
“The best painkiller”
A sweet consolation for Pinturault
“The best painkiller”

With Dressen, Germany’s most successful downhill skier retires. He celebrated five victories, finished third two more times and also achieved three podium finishes in Super-G. The fact that he could no longer celebrate successes has to do with his medical files.

Only one race in two and a half years

A few months after his Streif victory, he suffered a serious knee injury in a fall and also damaged his hip. Although he returned with a win a year later, he was never the same afterward. His confidence in himself and his body failed him. He took part in just one race between March 2020 and November 2022. His hip caused problems and his knee required repeated surgery.

It was this knee that caused a low point last Saturday. Shortly after starting the Lauberhorn descent, Dressen felt a stabbing pain. “Then it really dawned on me,” he says, according to “Spiegel”. The consequences? He was an astronomical 11.56 seconds behind and finished 42nd, last.

Wants to be active with his children

On the way home he thought about it and had to admit that his career was on its last legs. In the evening he had a moment to himself when his wife Birgit put their daughter Elena, who was born last summer, to bed. He looked at his victory ride in Kitzbühel and realized: “I will never be able to ride like I did back then.”

Advertisement

He decided to resign. Also because there is “still life after ski racing” and he wants to be active with his children. And that doesn’t work if the whole body is broken. Moreover, he “no longer wants to sacrifice my frame for staining the rear.”

“I want to have fun again, enjoy everything,” says Dressen before his farewell performance. Even though it is hard for him to say hello, he is at peace with himself. “Because what could be more dignified than drawing a line in the sand of Kitzbühel?”

Fur shoes are an eye-catcher: Kitz winner Hansi Hinterseer dances the twist with Braathen(00:43)

Source : Blick

follow:
Emma

Emma

I'm Emma Jack, a news website author at 24 News Reporters. I have been in the industry for over five years and it has been an incredible journey so far. I specialize in sports reporting and am highly knowledgeable about the latest trends and developments in this field.

Related Posts