Keller makes an impressive return
A successful start to the World Cup for Alessandra Keller. In Araxá, Brazil, last year’s overall World Cup winner took a sensational third place on her comeback after cruciate ligament surgery. In the men’s race, Lars Forster achieved a strong 10th place and Mathias Flückiger finished twentieth.
As if nothing had happened. This is how Alessandra Keller performed at the first World Cup of the season in short track (XCC). Right from the start, as usual, attentive in the front positions, self-confident in the position battles and extremely strong in the physical and technical parts. Alessandra Keller took an impressive third place behind the world champion Evie Richards (Gbr) and the young New Zealander Samara Maxwell.
“A reward and a thank you”
The 29-year-old from Nidwalden was overwhelmed. “It’s crazy. I felt really good today. The podium place is a reward for all the hard work and a thank you to everyone who has played a part in me being on the podium today since my operation. It’s great to finish the first XCC World Cup on a third place after a winter like this.”
Flückiger and Forster strong, but not at the front
The start also went well for Mathias Flückiger. He was always in the front positions. But on the third-to-last and pre-decisive lap, Flückiger fell back in the hard-fought position battles and thus out of the decision. In the end, 20th place.
Lars Forster went the opposite way. At the start, the two-time European champion was completely thrown off course by an unpunished false start by Frenchman Boichis and started the XCC race from the very last positions. But Forster stayed cool, working his way forward position by position at the right moments while conserving as much energy as possible. In the end, the race was a little bit too short. But Forster’s 10th place impressively proved that he is in strong shape.
Tomorrow, Sunday, the cross-countrey race is on the program in Araxá.
Start women, with Alessandra Keller: 18:30 (Swiss time)
Start men, with Lars Forster, Mathias Flückiger and Vital Albin: 20:30 (Swiss time)