224 days after an unfortunate injury – a torn cruciate knee ligament – leading Italian Alpine skier Dominic Paris has finally returned to training on snow. The first high-speed races of the new season are probably just over three months away, which leaves the leader of the Italian team with a good chance to get in optimal shape and fight for medals again.
Dom, as Dominic is abbreviated, one day went for a ride on the slopes of Stelvio (Italy), on the glacier, but the weather slightly disrupted the plans of the owner of the “Small crystal globe” the season before last. Due to the deterioration of the weather situation, the Paris team decided to adjust their plans, as a result, the Italian, along with his coach and service man, went to Zermatt a little earlier than they had planned.
Dominic managed to ride a little and restore his skills. During the rehabilitation process, I worked hard to strengthen my knee muscles and prepared hard for the new season. Paris tore his ligaments on January 21 in training before Kitzbuhel, which was doubly offensive, because in 2019 he was the best in the downhill on the “Streif”. Last week, after final tests and tests, doctors allowed him to return to the snow.
Now Paris intends to join the Italian team on the glacier in Zermatt and start serious training. Due to the cancellation of speed events in lake Louis and beaver Creek (usually held in late November and early December), the Italian has a little more time to prepare. It is expected that the first speed races of the men’s world Cup in Alpine skiing will be held on December 12-13 in Val d’isere (France), the final calendar of the world Cup will be approved at the end of September.
Last season, before his injury, Paris managed to win two downhill races (both on his own track in Bormio), three more times he was second – in the supergiant and downhill in lake Louis, as well as in the “Lauberhorn races” in Wengen. Dominic also tried twice to make it to the second attempt in the giant slalom (in Selden and beaver Creek), but did not succeed. At the end of the 2018/2019 season, the Italian won the “Small crystal globe” in the supergiant and finished second in the downhill standings, losing 30 points to beat Feuz.
“I drove about ten laps this morning, making the most of the day,” Dominic commented on the results of the first practice session. “I felt good, and the feeling of moving in the snow was right. I was supposed to ride tomorrow, but the weather is getting worse and we changed our plans,” he added.
Most likely, he will first ride on the tracks of Cervinia at Home to gain confidence in his abilities, and then move to Zermatt, where he will continue training. So Dominic is back!
Photo: Dominique Paris ‘ Facebook page
