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Until recently, Simmental BE was mainly known by livestock farmers and followers of really bad men. The Simmental cattle is one of the best-known dual-purpose breeds (meat, milk) in the world. And with David Roschi and Kilian Wenger, the western Bernese Oberland region produced the wrestling kings of 1972 and 2010.
To date, there has been no winner of the Alpine World Cup in the valley, colloquially known as Münchenrine. But that will probably change soon. Franjo von Allmen (22) from Boltigen stood on the World Cup podium for the first time in third place two weeks ago during the Super-G in Garmisch. And just ten kilometers from FvA, another top talent, Livio Hiltbrand (20), lives in Därstetten.
Strengthened by the wrestlers
After becoming junior world champion in Super-G last year, he also won the gold medal in the downhill and bronze in the Super-G at the JWM last week. In the past, the two greatest speed talents in the world have not only caused a stir on the ski slopes. “Franjo and I played football together with the E-Juniors of FC EDO Simme,” says Hiltbrand, who later attracted the attention of FC Thun’s talent scouts as a strong winger. “There was a request for a pre-selection from FC Thun’s base. But I decided not to do it because skiing appealed to me more.”
The fact that Hiltbrand has developed so strongly as a ski racer can also be attributed to the Swiss top skiers. “Just like Marco Kohler, I follow strength and fitness training in Interlaken with Roland Fuchs, who, together with Matthias Glarner, coaches Fabian Staudenmann and Adrian Walther. When Marco and I saw what they could do in the weight room, it spurred us on to lift more weights ourselves.” Hiltbrand’s squat record now stands at an impressive 140 pounds.
Hiltbrand has been able to fully concentrate on the sport since last summer. He previously completed his training as a mason. “The construction period has hardened me for a life in the ski circus,” Hiltbrand is convinced. «As a bricklayer you have to work outside in all weather conditions and you have to do work that is not really fun. That is why I am now aware that it is a great privilege that I can pursue my great hobby, ski racing, as a career. And I am proud that I was able to withstand the stress of training and sports.” Hiltbrand points to the pizza oven on the balcony of the parental home. “I built this oven at the end of my internship.”
Coached by the 1991 downhill world champion
Hermann Maier (51, 54 World Cup victories) and Olympic downhill champion Beat Feuz (36, 16 World Cup victories) have already proven in the past that a masonry education is a very good basis for a career as a ski racer. Hiltbrand (1.70 meters) is also reminiscent of the small ball lightning of 1.72 meters with his size.
He gets the finishing touches on his path to becoming the best in the world from another Swiss downhill legend. Hiltbrand is coached in the European Cup by Franz Heinzer (61, world champion 1991). «I can’t imagine a better coach than Franz. He is incredibly good at choosing the line. And when he explains something to you, he does it with so much passion that you get the feeling that he is still driving himself.”
Yet the end of the collaboration between Hiltbrand and Heinzer becomes clear. Simply because the Simmentaler is about to be promoted to the World Cup. He is currently fourth in the European Cup downhill overall rankings. Hiltbrand is only eight points short of third place, which equals a permanent place for the next World Cup winter, three races before the end.
Source : Blick
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.
