Seven medals for Riesch at the junior Worlds

Riesch, one of only four skiers to have scored points in all specialties this season, is considered for years as one of the up-coming talent in the German team. From 2001 to 2003, she won seven medals in all the disciplines at the junior World Championships including three golden in combined and Super-G. She also claimed the overall Europacup standings in 2002.

Last winter she achieved promising results in her first full-time World Cup season including an excellent 5th place in combined at the World Championships in St Moritz. None of her team-mate did better in the other disciplines. Her 2004 season start was impressive with training best times in Canada's Lake Louise and her first podium in a downhill in St Moritz prior to Christmas.

She was again on the podium in a Super-G in Cortina d'Ampezzo where she clocked again a best training time prior to the downhills-. But she didn't get onto the podium.
In Haus, Riesch was finally able to remain focused and aggressive down the entire Krummholz course. “I felt more relaxed today than in the other downhill races,” she said after the race. “This time, I could ski at my best which was not the case in Lake Louise or Cortina d'Ampezzo where I was too nervous. I had no problem to handle the pressure and to attack the course as I wanted. I was hoping for a strong result but I’m surprised by ma huge winning margin,” the tall and friendly Bavarian added.

“I nailed the first part perfectly and I kept a high rhythm until the end. It was wonderful to see that my name was on the top of the board after I crossed the finish line. I felt much emotion afterwards - it's just too bad that my parents are only coming here this night. It would have been great to share my joy with them.”

Skiing is Maria's main passion

Riesch, who moved up to 9th place in the overall World Cup standings, has the potential to win the big Crystal Cup in the coming seasons. Until last year, Maria could not dedicate all her time to ski racing as she kept on studying to conclude her German Matura in Berchtesgaden.

“I really enjoy to fully focus on skiing, it's my main passion,” explains the soap-opera fan who likes so much to follow her preferred series on TV. “Today it will be tough because the prize giving take place at the same time, somebody will have to tape it,” she said with a laugh.

Patrick Lang