Ski legend Hermann Maier Makes A "Come Back" In Flachau

Ski legend Hermann Maier Makes A "Come Back" In Flachau

Maier did not initially enjoy much success in ski racing. As a 15-year-old at the Schladming ski academy, he was sent home after being told he would not succeed because of his slight build, caused by growth impairments. He returned home to his hometown of Flachau and his father's ski school, which remains Maier's home. He took up work as a bricklayer in the summer and a ski instructor in the winter.

Participating in local races, Maier became a multiple regional champion in Salzburg and Tyrol, but still was not able to gain a spot in the strong Austrian World Cup ski team. Putting that behind him, his outstanding talent was recognized for the first time by Austrian coaches on 6 January 1996, when he was timed with the 12th fastest time in a World Cup giant slalom in Flachau, although only starting as a forerunner, not participating in the actual competition. This would become the starting point of his international career.

What followed is sports history. Maier took 54 World Cup victories, two Olympic gold medals and three World Championship titles - before he announced his retirement on the 13th of October, 2009.

The "Herminator" returned on track in Flachau for The Star Challenge on the race slope where the Women  competed for the "Snow Space Salzburg Princess" title on Tuesday. At this charity event, celebrities carved for money for a good cause and ex-ski aces such as Frida Hansdotter and Michaela Kirchgasser were also be at the start.

Flachau is celebrating ten years of the Ski World Cup with 174,000 Euros prize money and the highest prize money in the World Cup.