Loïc Meillard, one of the most promising athletes on the Swiss ski team, is set to make his comeback at the Levi World Cup Men’s Slalom opener on Sunday. After a back injury that prevented him from competing in the season opener in Sölden, the 27-year-old is back and ready to fight.
Shortly before the Giant Slalom in Sölden, Meillard suffered a back injury. A blow to the lower back during warm-up led to a tear in the disc between vertebrae 5L and S1. The injury forced him to withdraw from the race and undergo intense physiotherapy treatment. He took a complete break for over two weeks before getting back on skis a few days ago.
Despite the short preparation time, Meillard has decided to start in Levi. His coach, Matteo Joris, who trained with the Swiss team in Kabdalis in the meantime, is optimistic that his protege could still be competitive with reduced training. Meillard returned to the slopes last Tuesday and specifically prepared for the slalom in Levi.
The Swiss Ski Federation officially confirmed Loïc Meillard’s participation in the race on the “Levi Black” slope. Although he is not yet at full physical fitness after the injury, he already sees the start as a personal victory. Meillard emphasizes that he adjusts his expectations day by day and focuses on the progress he has made in recent weeks. Despite his impressive performances last season, especially the slalom victory in Aspen, he remains one of the top favorites.
The return of Loïc Meillard brings joy to the Swiss team and fans. The versatile athlete is one of the strongest technical skiers in the World Cup and could play a significant role in Levi despite the suboptimal preparation. Fans can look forward to seeing if Meillard can quickly regain his form and continue his performances from last season.
In other news, Mikaela Shiffrin celebrated her 98th Ski World Cup victory at the Slalom opener in Levi. The competition was challenging, with typical winter weather conditions of fog and light snowfall. Shiffrin’s win puts her closer to her goal of 100 World Cup victories, with a total of 98 wins to date.
As the ski season progresses, fans can expect more thrilling competitions and comebacks from other top athletes like Henrik Kristoffersen and Linus Straßer. With each race, the excitement and suspense of the Ski World Cup continue to captivate audiences around the world. Stay tuned for more updates and highlights from the upcoming events on the official FIS Ski World Cup calendar for the Men’s and Women’s seasons 2024/25.
