Ester Ledecká will start a new season this weekend.
Vermont / Ondrej Pycha
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The last time she raced was in February, before the coronavirus pandemic cut off last season, the more she can’t wait for the new one. “How am I looking forward to it? As a small child, just like every year, “said Ledecká from Saas-fee, where she completed a month of training. After returning home, she would have to go through quarantine on the way back to Switzerland, regardless of the negative test for covid-19.
“At first we focused on gears, then we switched to the giant. In total, we have been training in it for eighteen days this year, which we have never had before, “praises Ledecká coach Tomáš Bank. Other trainings were added at Pitztal with the stellar male duo Alexis Pinturault, Henrik Kristoffersen as part of a project by sponsor Ledecká.
Ester Ledecká
Vermont / Ondrej Pycha
So far, she has only competed in the giant slalom in the World Cup, three years ago in Sölden. At that time, she was classified as the penultimate of the skiers who finished. “But the hill is beautiful, even then it was an experience for me,” assures Ledecká.
Last year, she entered the season with a sensational triumph in Lake Louise, but it was a downhill. In the giant slalom, of course, he has more modest ambitions. “The starting number will be decent, she has been trained, but she has not competed in this discipline for more than two years and the race is not training. However, I would evaluate the progress to the second round as a great success, “says Bank.
Ledecká can follow up on last year’s great winter, when she finished second among the skiers and tenth overall. “Last winter turned out fantastically, but I mainly look ahead and I hope to move a little again. There is room for improvement, we also work on it every day, “he assures.
After the prologue in Sölden, the skiers will have almost a month off before the next races, culminating in the February World Championships in Cortina, Italy.
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