Good news in two respects from distant New Zealand, where the Austrian tech ladies are currently undergoing a three-week snow training: First, the coaches report on near-perfect conditions, on the other hand, the long-term injured Niki Hosp completed all units without pain.
"This is the best conditions ever. We got real lucky," the ladies racing director Herbert Mandl raves about the snow training in New Zealand. Except for Kathrin Zettel (due to health problems she only did limited training sessions), all skiers completed the full program including Niki Hosp, who works heavily on her comeback after her serious knee injury.
"Niki can follow the program in its entirety. She prepares with full commitment for the World Championships winter and also gave a strong appearance in the first super-G," said coach Günter Obkircher group. The goal of the ladies, who trained in Round Hill (near Lake Tekapo) until August 15 and are now in Treble Cone (near Wanaka), is to build up a good foundation in the slalom, giant slalom and super-G. "The winter conditions with snow and artificial slopes are well suited for that," said Guenter Obkircher, who will be training with the team at Treble Cone for three more days, before Marlies Schild & Co. will be heading back on 28 August.
