ÖSV skier on preparation: "Financially bad for me"

Tyrolean Simon Rueland achieved the best World Cup result of his career last winter with a twelfth-place finish in the Gurgl slalom - but failed to score any further World Cup points after that.

As a result, the 29-year-old was dropped from all ÖSV squads. "It was a slap in the face when I was told that I no longer had a spot," Rueland told "Kurier".

Giving up is nevertheless not an option for Rueland. Although the Tyrolean is still allowed to train alongside Ski Austria, he now has to pay for all training sessions himself.

Preseason preparation without ÖSV squad spot a financial challenge

This was also the case when the ÖSV slalom team took off for South America at relatively short notice due to the lack of snow in Europe to prepare for the upcoming season there.

"Financially, it was bad for me. But I had to make that investment. Otherwise I might as well have given up right away," Rueland told "Kurier".

Qualified for Levi and Gurgl

Indeed, the training seems to have paid off. In the internal ÖSV qualifiers, he managed to secure a World Cup starting spot for the slaloms in Levi (15.11.) and Gurgl (22.11.).

With good results, Rueland wants to prove that he has the potential for more. "I have a good bib number (note: in the 30s range) and starting position. I owe that to my twelfth-place finish in Gurgl."

Rueland now his own ski technician

By the way, after that top result in Gurgl, Rueland was slowed down by an illness last season.

"I was sick, but I still wanted to race in the World Cup come hell or high water. Then came a DNF, then a mistake, then the pressure builds up, and all of a sudden you're stuck in a downward spiral," said the Tyrolean, who had secured a World Cup starting spot in slalom for 2025/26 via the European Cup.

He doesn't have that security this season. Nor does he have a ski technician - this winter, the 29-year-old is responsible for preparing his skis himself. "It's quite an effort, but it's doable," Rueland said.